The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announced today it is accepting applications for the 2026 Agricultural Enhancement (AgE) Grant Program, which supports projects directly impacting or fostering agricultural viability through eligible Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments, and/or agricultural non-profit organizations. Applications are due February 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST with a maximum grant award of $49,999. Complete grant guidance, forms, and electronic submission information can be found on the Agricultural Enhancement Grant website.
“Under the Lamont administration, we have funded 110 Agricultural Enhancement projects totaling more than $3 million dollars which increase viability of agricultural businesses,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “During this time, we have implemented stakeholder feedback, including the addition of food hubs and aggregation this year, to ensure we are meeting the evolving needs of the industry with a commitment to accessibility, affordability, and opportunity.”
CT DoAg expects to award approximately $500,000 using a competitive review process for awards ranging from $500 to $49,999. Applicants can submit for one of two distinct tiers. Tier 1 is eligible for a maximum award of $5,000 for projects no longer than 18 months with a 25% match, and Tier 2 has a maximum award of $49,999 for projects up to 24 months with a 40% match. Cash or in-kind match contributions are acceptable.
Projects which impact or foster agricultural viability through one of the following areas will be prioritized but not guaranteed for funding:
- Youth agriculture education
- Urban agriculture
- Food hubs and aggregation
- Food supply chain improvements and expansions
- Farmland accessibility
A grant overview webinar to assist interested applicants in learning about the structure of the grant and application process will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. Register for the virtual workshop here. Virtual open office hours will also be available for potential applicants to drop in and ask questions specific to their project, as well as the application and submission process. These will be held on January 20 and January 29 from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m. For more information on the joining the virtual open office hours or to view the webinar recording or FAQs, visit the Agricultural Enhancement Grant website.
Questions regarding the Agricultural Enhancement Grant can be directed to Alison Grabarz by email at Alison.Grabarz@ct.gov, or call 860-933-5275.
The Agricultural Enhancement Grant is a matching grant program for Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments and agricultural non-profit organizations for projects that directly impact and/or foster agricultural viability. Funding for the Agricultural Enhancement Grant is provided through the State of Connecticut Agricultural Viability Grant Program, established in 2005 through Public Act 05-228, An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental, and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage, and its contribution to the state's economy. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov.
