(HARTFORD, CT) – The 2024 Passport to Connecticut Wine Country, a program of the Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council (CFWDC) administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, concluded on December 31, 2024, and has drawn winners for more than 100 prizes.

(HARTFORD, CT) – On Monday, January 27, 2025, the White House Office of Management and Budget issued an order to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.” This order will become effective at 5:00 p.m. today, January 28, 2025. It is unclear at this time which programs and services will be impacted.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the SCBGP purpose is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in local, domestic, and foreign markets. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, maple syrup, honey, horticulture, and nursery crops. Applications must be submitted no later than March 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) reports that the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) has detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, or bird flu, in a backyard flock in New Haven County. This marks the second detection of H5N1 in domestic birds this year and the first in New Haven County in 2025.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) advises that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, or bird flu, was confirmed in a backyard flock located in New London County on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is pleased to announce the 2025 Agricultural Enhancement Grant guidance is now available online. Applications from eligible Connecticut municipalities, regional councils of governments, and/or agricultural non-profit organizations for projects which directly impact or foster industry viability will be accepted starting Friday, January 17, 2025, and must be submitted no later than February 28, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is encouraging residents to visit a winter farmers’ market to find fresh, local CT Grown products.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) has announced a public comment period on the funding priorities for Connecticut’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in 2025. The public is asked to submit a response through the online form by Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST. The input received will be considered when developing final program priorities for 2025.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt announces that ConnecticutGrownStore.com is restocked for the New Year with branded Connecticut Grown apparel and accessories, including fan favorites and fresh designs, for consumers and producers alike.