(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture marked the start of Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids (CTG4CTK) Week from October 7 through October 11, with a visit to Beman Middle School in Middletown to announce nearly $80,000 to fund 19 CTG4CTK microgrant projects. Upon implementation these awards will continue developing farm to school programs throughout the state with the potential to positively impact more than 3,300 students. Beman Middle School received a CTG4CTK Grant award in fiscal year 2023 to provide a multi-faceted experiential learning opportunity for more than 900 students.

(HARTFORD, CT) – As the leaves turn and the air cools, it’s time to embrace the beauty of autumn and all the delightful activities it brings. This fall, CT Grown invites families and friends to create lasting memories by visiting local farms for a variety of harvest activities, including pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, corn mazes, and award-winning farm wineries. Experience the joys of fall harvest activities that bring together community, tradition, and fun by gathering your loved ones and heading out to explore all that Connecticut’s farms have to offer.

(Bethany, CT) – On Thursday, September 12, 2024, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt held a press conference at Clover Nook Farm in Bethany joined by Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development (CT RC&D) to announce the awardees from Round 2 of its Climate Smart Agriculture Grant program. In this second round of funding, CT RC&D administered $250,000 to twelve farms around Connecticut. This funding will drive over $663,000 in climate smart projects.

HARTFORD, CT – The New England Food System Planners Partnership just released a new detailed analysis of local food spending in Connecticut – Local Food Count 2022. The report reveals that $709 million of the state's total $26.3 billion in food, beverage and alcohol expenditures were directed towards local and regional products

HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture reports the state’s first case this year of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a domestic animal. EEE was detected in a 23-year-old unvaccinated gelded horse from Fairfield County. Upon examination the horse was exhibiting neurological signs. Diagnostic samples were collected and tested positive for EEE virus. 

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Connecticut Office of Tourism, is gearing up for 17 days of showcasing what makes Connecticut a place to live, work, and play – including the state’s vibrant agriculture sector. This year 30 businesses highlighting the diversity of CT Grown farm products will be featured from Friday, September 13 through Sunday, September 29, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced over $405,000 in funding awarded to Connecticut through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) will fund projects that strengthen Connecticut’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is pleased to release Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids (CTG4CTK) Grant program guidance for fiscal year 2025. New this year are unique application opening dates and deadlines divided into microgrants and full grants. Microgrant applications for projects requesting up to $5,000 over a 12-month duration are now open for Tracks 1 through 4 and are due by 12:00 p.m. on September 18, 2024.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Grown magazine, the sixth annual guide to the state’s farms, food, and markets produced in collaboration between Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) and Farm Flavor Media, is now available in print and digital versions. This edition focuses on diversifying the food system – how food is grown, where it is grown, who is growing it, and ways it is being made more accessible to consumers.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Grown, a program of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is celebrating National Farmers Market Week (NFMW) from August 4-10, 2024, to highlight the important role of farmers markets in our food system.