TRANSITION GRANT IN ACTION
THE BIRCH MILL FARM PARTNERSHIP PROMOTES NO-TILL
In 2022, the Birch Mill Farm Partnership collaborated with the Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, The Northwest Connecticut Conservation District, Connecticut
Resource Conservation and Development, and the Connecticut Natural Resources Conservation Service State Agronomist to propose a project that would address the need for custom no-till equipment operation for the region’s farmers.
The Birch Mill Farm Partnership farms 500 acres of hay and corn under their own operation, while also providing custom field work and harvesting for area farms. With the purchase of a no-till drill, the Partnership would be able to improve not only their own land management practices but also increase the use of sustainable agriculture practices by offering custom no-till services to farms in the Northwest corner of CT, and further diversify their farm business and services offered.
The Esch 5612 was chosen as the best fit for both the Partnership’s use and use by the region’s farmers. It provides a large working drill width of 12ft but folds to 8ft to travel efficiently down the road and into fields. It is also able to plant 4 to 5 acres an hour, making it very efficient.
After receiving the drill, several area farms requested work to be done. In the first week after it came in, the Partnership planted 40 acres for 3 different farms and scheduled seedings including pasture rehabilitation, fall hay and cover crop seedings.
Tim Kinsella, a partner in the Birch Mill Farm Partnership, says, “The Transition Grant has made it economically viable to purchase the drill and will help in creating a sustainable future for the land and added diversification to our business. Improving our own soil health practices is always a priority but it is even better when you can bring those practices to farmers across the Northwest corner of Connecticut.”
The FTG is a competitive matching reimbursement grant for Connecticut agricultural producers and agricultural cooperatives. The Farm Transition Grant is provided through the State of Connecticut Farm Transition Grant Program, established in 2005 through Public Act 05-228, An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation.