2020 Marks 100 Years of the Ag Report
January 29, 2020
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the new format of the Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Report. We hope you enjoy the new all-digital format being distributed to meet the need for information about our state's vibrant agricultural industry in a faster, more cost effective and efficient manner. New features include real-time agricultural pricing information, quick access to advertisers and events, and a mobile friendly format.
“This transition to a new digital service is consistent with Governor Lamont’s efforts to move the public’s interactions with state government online, and provide services that are personalized, more secure, efficient, and cost-effective,” said Department of Agriculture (DoAg) Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “We hope this new format and new approach will serve as a way of sharing information about everything in the Connecticut agriculture industry with our state’s hard working farm families and partner organizations.”
Please email your comments and suggestions to Mark.Hood@ct.gov.
DoAg has published a weekly newsletter since 1921 when the publication was known as the Connecticut Market Bulletin. The newsletter has gone though many changes over the years and took on the name "Weekly Agricultural Report" in 1991.
The earliest issues of the Market Bulletin, from May 17, 1920 to June 30, 1921, were published by the Connecticut Agricultural College Extension Service in New Haven, and included information for growers, market conditions, and wholesale pricing reports from Bridgeport and New Haven. The State of Connecticut Board of Agriculture, a predecessor of DoAg, took over publication of the Bulletin on August 3, 1921 and started including pricing reports from Waterbury and Hartford in addition to Bridgeport and New Haven pricing.
In the first issue published by the Connecticut Board of Agriculture on August 3, 1921, Secretary Leonard H. Healey provided the following introduction:
“This is the first market bulletin to be issued by the Board of Agriculture. The recent General Assembly passed an act creating a marketing bureau, requiring the Board of Agriculture to publish the information heretofore furnished by the Extension Service of the Connecticut Agricultural College through their market bulletin and perform and assist in many lines of work connected with related market activities. It will be our aim to furnish the same reliable and efficient price quotations for food products bought and sold in the leading markets of the State as has been done in the past by the Extension Service. We shall endeavor to include the smaller cities in this work just as soon as funds will permit. We solicit the earnest and honest co-operation of all whom the bulletin in any way assists. Helpful suggestions or constructive criticisms will at all time be cheerfully received.”
Click here to view copies of the first ten issues of the Connecticut Market Bulletin published by the Connecticut Board of Agriculture. Original copies of the Connecticut Market Bulletin and the Weekly Agricultural Report are also available through the Connecticut State Library, at 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT.
First issue of Market Bulletin May 17, 1920.
First issue of Connecticut Market Bulletin August 3, 1921.
Last issue of Connecticut Market Bulletin October 30, 1991.
First issue of Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Report November 13, 1991.