ROCKY HILL, CT - For a third straight year, Connecticut’s veteran farmers and agricultural producers came together on the grounds of the Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs to host the third annual CT Veteran Grown Farmers’ Market on August 6, 2026. The annual event supports the CT Veteran Grown Initiative - funded with Congressionally Directed Spending through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Hundreds of attendees came to support Connecticut’s veteran agricultural community and artisans by purchasing an array of fresh fruit and vegetable produce, baked goods, flowers, eggs, maple syrup, jams, poultry, and other unique offerings - all grown or made by Connecticut’s Veteran Farmers and Makers.
The event kicked off at 3:00 p.m. with a ceremonial bell-ringing ceremony, followed by brief remarks from a number of state, local, veteran, and community leaders.
“National Farmers’ Market Week is a great reminder of what makes Connecticut’s markets special - the people. From market managers and volunteers to shoppers and farmers, or in this case Farmer Veterans who continue to serve through feeding and strengthening our communities. Since 2019, CT Department of Agriculture has invested more than $500,000 in veteran-owned farm businesses to help them grow and to make it easier for residents to find products proudly raised by those who’ve served. When you buy local, you’re not just choosing fresh CT Grown food, you’re supporting healthy communities and the people behind them,” Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said.
The CT Veteran Grown Initiative is a three-year effort led by the Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (CT RC&D) to support and elevate veteran farmers across the state. This initiative is establishing a centralized CT Veteran Farmer Resource Hub, launching a dedicated CT Veteran Grown marketing campaign, and delivering critical technical and marketing assistance directly to veteran farmers. Building on more than a decade of CT RC&D's work serving veteran and historically underserved agricultural communities, the initiative helps strengthen Connecticut agriculture while recognizing the continued service of military veterans through farming.
“Our Department of Veteran Affairs Team was honored to host and celebrate the third year of the Veteran Grown Farmers Market at our beautiful at our 92-acre campus in Rocky Hill as part of VA’s ongoing commitment to veterans’ health, wellness, and economic opportunity. Farmers’ markets like this one improve access to fresh, affordable, nutrient-rich foods for veterans and the community. Farming helps our veterans translate military skills into meaningful post‑service careers, including agriculture. Our veterans continue to serve their communities through leadership, civic engagement, and food production. We can never thank them enough for their service and sacrifice so we may enjoy the freedom we have every day in our great state and country!” said CT Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ronald P. Welch.
“VA Connecticut Healthcare System is proud to be a part of the third annual Homegrown by Heroes Veteran Farmers Market. The event is about so much more than food. It’s an opportunity to support Veteran small business owners here in Connecticut after all they have done to serve our country. The Homegrown by Heroes Farmers Market also connects Veterans to vital resources, like access to healthcare benefits and nutrition education. It’s our honor to help support Veterans in the Connecticut community by being a part of this important event,” said Associate Director of Clinical Operations at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System Sarah Baudoin.
“CT RC&D is honored to continue working with Farmer Veterans across the state with program support through the CT Veteran Grown Initiative and the 3rd Annual Veteran Farmers' Market,” said CT RC&D Executive Director Jocelyn Weir. “We know that Farmer Veterans have dedicated themselves to serving others first in uniform and now through agriculture by feeding their communities with fresh food that sustains Connecticut families. CT Veteran Grown has helped connect consumers with these producers, and as this program funding concludes in 2027, events like this are an important opportunity to celebrate their contributions by increasing awareness about CT Veteran Grown products and encourage continued support for veteran-owned farms long after the grant ends.”
During the afternoon, attendees enjoyed food from Veteran-owned food trucks and live musical performances by the 102d Army Band of the Connecticut National Guard and Borderline Genius Band.
Participating Vendors
- Ahlberg Grassroots Farm LLC, Glastonbury, CT
- Field Engineer Farm, Columbia, CT
- Guardians Farm, Southbury, CT
- Hathor Hill Farm, Lakeside, CT
- Hell or High Water, Portland, CT
- Lakeside Farm, Lakeside, CT
- Liepold Pond Farm, Pawcatuck, CT
- Rosa Farms, Higganum, CT
- Seacoast Mushrooms, Mystic, CT
- Steadfast Farms, Bethlehem, CT
- Wilkinson Farm, Columbia, CT
- American Smoke BBQ, Manchester, CT
- Saults Eclectic Cuisine, Tolland, CT
- Cook’s Creations, West Hartford, CT
There were also a variety of veteran partner organizations and veteran advocacy groups that provided resources and information.
