Dairy Farming Sustainability Working Group

Dairy Farming Sustainability Working Group

Purpose and Charge

The Dairy Farming Sustainability Working Group, established within the Department of Agriculture under Public Act 26‑75, is tasked with developing long‑term recommendations to support the sustainability of Connecticut’s dairy industry. The group’s work includes evaluating and proposing strategies such as:

 

  • The feasibility and effectiveness of a reimbursable tax credit program for dairy producers
  • How Community Investment Act funds could be used to strengthen dairy sustainability
  • The state’s current dairy processing capacity and opportunities for expansion
  • The use and impact of property tax exemptions available to dairy farmers, including both statewide and locally optional exemptions

The Working Group is composed of representatives from state agencies, the Connecticut Farm Bureau, major dairy cooperatives, dairy industry members, an independent dairy producer, and any additional participants the Commissioner of Agriculture deems necessary.

The Commissioner of Agriculture will submit the Working Group’s recommendations to the Environment, Appropriations, and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees of the General Assembly by January 1, 2027.

Members

Bryan Hurlburt, Commissioner of Agriculture
Joanna Wozniak-Brown, Office of Policy and Management
Rob Hotaling, Department of Revenue Services
Paul Larson, Connecticut Farm Bureau
Chris Laughton, Farm Credit East
Bonnie Burr, University of Connecticut Extension
Seth Bahler, Oakridge Dairy, Dairy Representative
Cricket Jacquier, Laurelbrook Farm, Dairy Representative
Brittany Conover, Shaggy Coos, Dairy Representative
Art Spielman, Spielman Farm, Dairy Representative
Kies Orr-LaVack, Fort Hill Farm, Dairy Representative
Mark Gillman, Cato Corner Farm, Dairy Representative
Stacey Stearns, Mountain Dairy, Dairy Representative
Jackie Klippenstien, Dairy Farmers of America, Dairy Cooperative
Catherine DeRond, AgriMark, Dairy Cooperative

Meeting Details and Schedule

Meetings of the Dairy Farming Sustainability Working Group are held virtually through Microsoft Teams to ensure broad and convenient access for participants and members of the public. Each meeting also offers a call‑in option for those who prefer to join by phone.

Detailed access information—including the Teams meeting link, call‑in number, and meeting agenda—will be provided within the posted agenda for each specific meeting date. Agendas are made available in advance to allow participants to plan accordingly.

Meeting Schedule

June 26, 2026, 12 PM – 1 PM
July 10, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
July 31, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
August 14, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
August 28, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
September 11, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
October 9, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
October 23, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
November 6, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
November 13, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
November 20, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM
December 3, 2026, 10 AM – 12 PM

Public Participation

The Dairy Farming Sustainability Working Group welcomes public engagement. Time for public comment will be offered at the end of each meeting. Each member of the public will have up to three minutes to share remarks with the Working Group.

Contact

Ally Hughes
Ally.Hughes@ct.gov | 860‑500‑8918