Connecticut Department of Agriculture

To protect the health and safety of the public and our employees, DOAG has limited the number of employees at our 450 Columbus Blvd office and as such, mail and messages may receive a delayed response. Please use our online services and email specific COVID-19 related issues to agr.covid19@ct.gov

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CT Agriculture

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announces the creation of working groups focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Connecticut agriculture. The working groups are a crucial component of an agency-wide effort to engage and support current and future farmers and those in the agriculture industry who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the state.

DoAg invites Connecticut farmers, service providers, non-profits, educators, and many more to participate in the working groups. We strongly encourage nominations from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person of Color (BIPOC); people across the spectrum of gender identities; and veterans.

Nominations are now CLOSED.

If you have questions, please reach out to Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov, 860-895-3094.

Nominations are being solicited for the following:

   - 12 Individuals to comprise the main working group

   - Up to 20 additional individuals, five for each of the five sub-working groups

Each member of the main working group will sit on a sub-working group.  Five individuals from the main working group will be selected to facilitate each of the sub-working groups. Facilitation training and guidance will be provided.  We encourage individuals who have not previously facilitated groups to nominate themselves. Each sub-working group will be supported by a DoAg staff member.

The five topic sub-groups include:

   - Access to Secure Land Tenure

   - Access to Capital and Financial Planning

   - Access to Education and Training

   - Access to Resources, Infrastructure, and Business Planning

   - Market Access and Diversification

The main working group will synthesize all the recommendations from the topic sub-working groups to develop a cohesive report and action plan for long-term implementation.

Appointments will be identified in mid-April.  Working groups will meet monthly, or as determined necessary, for approximately a year and a half.

Questions can be directed to Cyrena Thibodeau, Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov 860-895-3094 or Jaime Smith, Jaime.Smith@ct.gov.