(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) invites the public to comment on the proposed program structure for the Farmland Restoration, Climate Resiliency & Preparedness (RRP) Grant in 2027. The public is asked to submit written comments on the RRP Program and the topic prompts by Monday, August 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST. The input received will be considered when developing final program structure for 2027.
“We are always seeking feedback to refine our programs to meet the evolving needs of Connecticut farmers and encourage all stakeholders to share their input,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “The proposed revisions to the program will enable CT DoAg to work with industry partners, increase resource available to farmers to have a resiliency plan created, and streamline future competitive grant rounds.”
The recommended program structure of the RRP Grant program includes:
- FRCR Plan Development Grant
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.
- RRP Grant (Agricultural Producers)
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
CT DoAg asks the public to review the proposed program structure and comment on the following questions:
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?
Submit comments to the proposed program structure by email to Angelique.Lopez@ct.gov with the subject line “RRP Program – Public Comment Submission”. All materials submitted will be posted publicly on the DoAg website.
Following the conclusion of the comment period, CT DoAg will review and consider the feedback received before releasing the grant guidance and opening the program application period. At this time, applications are not being accepted for this program. For more information about Connecticut’s RRP Grant Program, visit the RRP webpage.
