(HARTFORD, CT) — Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt announced today that payments have begun flowing to Connecticut farmers who submitted applications in Round One of the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant program. To date, more than $4.785 million has been distributed to 27 farms in the first wave of approved payments. Additionally, the second application period will open on Monday, November 9, 2026.
“Connecticut farmers have faced extraordinary challenges from severe weather, and we are pleased to begin delivering this critical assistance to eligible producers across the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “While we saw tremendous response in Round One, we know there is still significant need. We encourage eligible farmers who have not yet applied to begin preparing now for the Round Two application period opening on November 9, and to utilize the resources and application assistance available through our partner organizations.”
A total of 145 applications were received in Round One, requesting more than $67 million in disaster relief assistance. This exceeds the allocation of $52.9 million in disaster relief secured by the Connecticut delegation for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture through the U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster relief funding program.
“I am glad that Connecticut farmers are now receiving the assistance they deserve for the damage they endured from hailstorms, flooding, and other extreme weather events,” Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said. “When I wrote the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant, it was with these small and medium-sized farmers in mind. Too often, these farmers get left behind. But today, the aid that we fought so hard for is starting to hit farmers’ bank accounts. I am grateful to Commissioner Hurlburt and his team for getting this across the finish line, and I encourage farmers who have not yet applied to apply for the second round of this funding.”
“After more than two years of hard work to get the relief our farmers need from the federal government, I am excited to join with my colleagues and Commissioner Hurlburt to announce that aid is on the way,” Congressman John Larson said. “The Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant is a first-of-its-kind program that delivers relief dollars to farmers while removing the barriers that have consistently prevented our small- and medium-sized farmers from receiving any disaster aid. I urge all local growers who were impacted by severe flooding and frost in our region to apply for aid during the next round of applications.”
"Connecticut is an often-overlooked agricultural hub in our nation. Farming is at the center of eastern Connecticut’s identity,” Congressman Joe Courtney said. “Our farmers have faced disastrous weather in recent years, with small farms being hit particularly hard by losses. This federal support that the Connecticut Congressional delegation secured in 2024 is providing overdue relief for our farms, helping ensure they can continue to keep people in Connecticut fed with fresh, local food. I commend Commissioner Hurlburt and CT Department of Agriculture staff for their hard work through this process, and I encourage all farmers who faced losses due to weather in 2023-2024 to take advantage of this available support.”
Due to the requested funds in Round One, initial payments have been prorated with a payment factor of 45% for eligible and approved Round One applications. This ensures funding remains available for eligible applicants across both application rounds.
Status updates on Round One applications can be found in their Submittable account. Applicants can also contact reviewers through the Submittable platform or email AGR.disaster@ct.gov.
Round Two Application Period Opens November 9
The Round Two application period for the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant will open at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, November 9, and close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2026.
Eligible farmers who did not apply during Round 1 will have the opportunity to apply for disaster relief funding through the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant. To qualify, farmers must have earned at least $1,000 in farm income and experienced at least $500 in documented losses from weather-related events in 2023 or 2024.
Payments may cover up to 95% of eligible losses, with a maximum award of $1 million per year, per category. Any insurance payments or other third-party compensation received for losses during 2023 and 2024 will be deducted from the final award amount. The 45% payment factor used during Round One will also be applied to all Round Two applications.
Once the Round Two application period is complete and all eligible requests are evaluated, CT DoAg will reassess the program's funding obligations. Depending on the volume and value of approved Round Two requests, a second payment may be issued to all applicants across both rounds.
Farmers are encouraged to begin preparing now by visiting portal.ct.gov/FRS to review the required documentation and complete the Adjusted Gross Revenue Worksheets. Partner organizations will be available throughout the application period to assist farmers with completing and submitting their applications.
