The 2022 program will again fund project which directly respond to problems, interests, or needs in the state’s agricultural industry, specifically in the following areas:
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Urban agriculture
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Food systems
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion in Connecticut agriculture
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Farmland access
“COVID-19 demonstrated that our food system is fragile and narrow. We will build off the funded projects in 2021,which were a starting point to address the needs of the industry and marketplace, as there is still ample opportunity for growth within these segments,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “We are committed to being responsive to the needs of our agriculture community, including urban and underserved farmers, in a comprehensive manner.”
Applicants will select from one of the four Question of Focus areas and submit a project proposal that responds to the question, developing a potential solution, or progress towards a solution for the priority area.
The four Questions of Focus are:
1. Urban Agriculture: Projects that focus on establishing or expanding support and resources for urban agriculture.
2. Food Supply Chain: Projects that would make kitchen space available to process CT Grown farm products or propose plans/development for the construction of meat processing facilities/food hubs, co-op operations or increase market opportunities for CT farmers.
3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Agriculture: Projects which directly impact farmers in one or more of the following classifications: limited resource, BIPOC, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, or people with a disability.
4. Land Accessibility: Projects that address land accessibility and pilot an effort to improve accessibility for new farmers, current producers looking to expand their operation, or support succession strategies for farmers exiting agriculture.
Grant guidelines and forms can be found at www.CTGrown.gov/grants. Additional detail on match requirements and eligible expenses can be found in the guidance. All applications will be submitted electronically via the newDoAg Grants Portal.
A virtual workshop to assist interested applicants in learning about the structure of the grant and application process will occur on December 8, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. via a Webex call. Please RSVP no later than December 6 to Alison.Grabarz@ct.gov.
Questions regarding the Farm Viability Grant can be directed to Alison Grabarz at Alison.Grabarz@ct.gov or found online at www.CTGrown.gov/grants.
The FVG is a matching grant program for Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments, and agricultural non-profit organizations for projects that directly impact and/or foster agricultural viability. Funding for the Farm Viability Grant is provided through the State of Connecticut Agricultural Viability Grant Program, established in 2005 through Public Act 05-228, An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental, and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage, and its contribution to the state's economy. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov.
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For Immediate Release: Monday, November 29, 2021
Contact: Rebecca Eddy, 860-573-0323
Rebecca.Eddy@ct.gov
