Overview

Given the statutory requirement for farmers to have a Farmland Restoration and Climate Resiliency (FRCR) Plan developed prior to receiving grant funds, DoAg is proposing a revised program structure from the original program released in 2024. This revised approach will enable the agency to work with industry partners, increase resources for farmers to have a FRCR Plan created and streamline future competitive grant round.

Two distinct categories or programs are to be established with different target audiences and award amounts:

FRCR Plan Development Grant

Purpose & Goal

This grant will provide funds to agricultural and conservation organizations to develop FRCR Plans for farmers through contracting with soil scientists or provide in-house expertise to write FRCR Plans. The goal of the grant is to increase the number of farms in CT with FRCR Plans which will support the industry with additional knowledge of climate smart practices and increase the number of eligible farmers in CT for the RRP Grant.

Who is eligible?

Organizations looking to contract with soil scientists or organizations with in-house expertise to develop Farmland Restoration and Climate Resiliency (FRCR) plans for farmers.

Details

• The agency has set aside funding for the creation of 40 plans, approximately $6,000 per plan will be awarded to organizations, plus administrative costs.
• Organization will receive an award amount based on the number of plans anticipated to be developed, plus administrative costs.
• Farmers will work directly with the organization awarded or with the hired soil scientist.
• The process for an organization to determine what farms can have a FRCR Plan developed is at the discretion of the organization.
• A 10% cost share, cash or in-kind is required by the applying organization.
 

Proposed Timeline

• 10/1/26 - Grant guidance is released and program applications open
• 10/12/26 -Grant workshop webinar held
• 11/2/26 - Application close date, administrative application review begins
• 11/19/26 – Awards announced

RRP (Agricultural Producers)

Purpose & Goal

The Farmland Restoration, Climate Resiliency & Preparedness Grant (RRP) provides matching funds to Connecticut farmers to support investments that increase the long term climate resiliency of farming operations and decrease farm vulnerability to extreme weather events. This will be implemented pursuant to a comprehensive Farmland Restoration and Climate Resiliency Plan (FRCR Plan) applicable to the agricultural
producer’s entire farm.

This grant will offer two opportunities directly to farmers.

• Opportunity 1: FRCR Plan Development
• Opportunity 2: FRCR Plan Development & Implementation

Opportunity 1 will connect awarded farmers with a soil scientist.

Opportunity 2 will connect farmers with a soil scientist for the development of an FRCR Plan and provide an award, not to exceed $50,000, for implementation of practices identified in the FRCR Plan.

The goal is to increase the number of farms in CT with FRCR Plans without the financial commitment of implementation of the practices and also give farmers the option of creating the plans and providing funds to implement the identified recommendations in the FRCR Plan.

Who is eligible?

Farmers who are interested in obtaining a Farm Restoration and Climate Resilience (FRCR) Plan written by a DoAg assigned soil scientist and want to implement recommended practices .
 

Details

• Soil scientists will be contracted by DoAg and assigned to develop FRCR plans with farms based on geographical location
• Funding for the creation of 20 plans will be awarded to soil scientist firms
• Farmers will receive a FRCR Plan (valued at approx. $6,000) or farmers will receive a FRCR Plan and up to $100,000 to implement the practices recommended in their FRCR plan, depending on which opportunity they choose.
• A 10% cost share, cash or in-kind is required.
• Note: Tractor purchases are not allowed. Equipment purchases permitted include high tunnels, low tunnels, overhead irrigation systems, micro-irrigation systems, windmills (for frost protection), tractor attachments (harrow, disc plough, etc.)

Proposed Timeline

• 10/1/26 - Grant guidance is released and program applications open
• 10/14/26 -Grant workshop webinar held
• 11/25/26 - Application close date, administrative application review begins
• 12/17/26 – Awards announced
 

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROCEEDING AND REQUEST FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS

Farmland Restoration, Climate Resiliency & Preparedness Grant (RRP) Program

I. Background

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DOAG) is initiating this public comment proceeding to support the continued development and improvement of the Farmland Restoration, Climate Resiliency & Preparedness Grant (RRP) program. The RRP program provides a 90% cost share to Connecticut farmers to support investments that increase the long‑term climate resiliency of farming operations and reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events.
The program funds climate‑resilient capital improvements and land‑restoration practices undertaken as part of a Farmland Restoration and Climate Resiliency Plan (FRCR Plan), which is developed collaboratively by the producer and a DOAG‑assigned soil scientist. Eligible applicants must apply to have a FRCR Plan developed to be eligible for future grants to fund implementation of identified practices or equipment needs. Awards range from upwards of $50,000 to $100,000.
This public comment process is intended to gather stakeholder input on the RRP program’s requirements, priorities, implementation processes, and evaluation criteria. Feedback will support continuous program refinement to meet the evolving climate resiliency needs of Connecticut agriculture.

II. Request for Written Comments

DOAG invites written comments on the RRP program and the topic prompts listed below. Comments will be accepted until Monday August 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET. Written comments may be submitted to Angelique.Lopez@ct.gov mailto:Angelique.Lopez@ct.govwith “RRP Program – Public
Comment Submission” in the subject line. All materials submitted will be posted publicly on the
DOAG website for transparency.

Requested Topics for Public Comment

1. FRCR Plan Development: What elements should be strengthened in the FRCR Plan development process?
2. Plan Development Timelines: The FRCR Plan Development timeline is 6 months without extensions. Is this timeline reasonable?
3. Technical Assistance: How can DOAG improve the soil scientist–supported plan development process? How can DOAG support awarded organizations with identifying soil scientist to match with farmers for a FRCR Plan development?
4. Reporting: What reporting requirements should be considered to ensure accountability while maintaining accessibility for small and beginning farmers? Are additional metrics needed to assess long‑term climate resiliency impacts?
5. Access and Equity: How can the program more effectively support historically underserved
producers, including BIPOC, veteran, limited‑resource, and new/beginning farmers?
6. Additional Considerations: What challenges or opportunities related to farmland restoration and climate preparedness are not sufficiently addressed in the program? Will these challenges be addressed with the new program structure?
7. Implementation Timelines: The RRP requires project completion within 24 months without extensions. Is this timeline reasonable for the types of restoration and climate‑resilient improvements funded by the program?
8. Program Eligibility: What improvements or clarifications should be made to the eligibility requirements for farmers? Are there additional considerations needed for leased land or nonprofit producers?
9. Climate Resiliency Priorities: Are the program’s priority project areas (soil health, water management, forest management, grazing management, and capital improvements) appropriately defined? What additional practices should be considered?
10. Project Evaluation Criteria: Are the evaluation factors (outcome, climate‑smart practices, farmer classification, soil type, and land use purpose) weighted appropriately? What refinements would better promote equitable and impactful project selection?

For Questions or Accommodations

Please contact Angelique Lopez at Angelique.Lopez@ct.gov for questions related to this public comment notice or the RRP Program. For accessibility needs or ADA accommodations, please reach out as early as possible so the agency can assist appropriately.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer.