Press Releases
05/29/2020
Connecticut Department of Agriculture Awards Farm Transition Grants
Nearly $548,000 awarded
HARTFORD, CT – Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt announces that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has awarded 16 grants totaling $547,784.41 to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives seeking to expand, diversify, and improve their existing operation.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how vulnerable our food system is. This year’s Farm Transition Grant awards were used to expand and diversify our local food systems, generate on-farm energy production, and the traditional expansion of farm operations into new production,” said Hurlburt. “Connecticut farmers are innovative and entrepreneurial, and these awards will help them manage the risk in their expansion plans. Ultimately, these investments strengthen the agricultural economy and provide improved availability of Connecticut Grown products.”
Connecticut is home to more than 5,500 farms contributing more than $4 billion to the state’s economy.
Farm Transition Grant recipients include:
A&Z Apiaries, Hampton
Equipment for honey extraction upgrades and hive expansion
DeSantis Farm, Middlebury
Building for expansion of pig production
Echo Farm, Woodstock
Multi-purpose barn for flower sales and vegetable washing, packing, and sales
Forest City Farms, Middletown
Free-standing refrigerated unit for improved food storage and safety
Geremia Greenhouse, Wallingford
Greenhouse for orchid production expansion
Howling Flats Farm, Canaan
Expansion of hog pasture and fencing for expanded hog production
Hytone Farm, LLC, Coventry
Anaerobic digester design and engineering
Muddy Feet Flower Farm, Ashford
Barn for expansion and diversification of flower production and products
Penfield Farm, Portland
Barn to expand emu production
Pleasant View Farms, Somers
Equipment for high-efficiency grain drying
Scantic Valley Farm, Somers
Infrastructure improvements and cooler for expanded flower sales and storage
Star Light Gardens, Durham
Various types of high tunnels for season extension and soil protection
Steadfast Farms, Bethlehem
Building to expand and diversify game birds for restaurant farm to table
Sub Edge Farm, Farmington
Equipment for salad mix production for commercial scale-up
Trifecta Ecosystems, New Britain
Equipment to increase indoor, year-round production of herbs and greens for urban accessibility
Upper Pond Farm, Lyme
Building for community food center for farm sales, CSA pick up, processing, and storage
The Farm Transition Grant Program is a competitive matching grant program with a maximum award of up to $49,999 in matching funds. Funding is provided through Public Act 05-228, An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation. Grant funds are reimbursed to the awardee after the project is successfully completed, a final financial and written report outlining all expenses and tasks associated with the project have been received and approved, and site inspection by agency staff is conducted. Additional information about the program can be found at www.CTGrown.gov/Grants.
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