The 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 2024. The public is asked to submit a response through the online form by Friday, January 12, 2024, at 4 p.m. EST.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the 2024 Agricultural Enhancement Grant Program (previously known as the Farm Viability Grant) is now available for eligible Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments, and/or agricultural non-profit organizations for projects that directly impact or foster agricultural viability. Applications are due February 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is accepting grant proposals for the 2024 Farmland Restoration, Climate Resiliency & Disaster Preparedness Grant (RRP). Support is available to provide Connecticut agricultural producers and not for profits directly involved in production agriculture funding for investments which will increase the long-term climate resiliency of farming operations and decrease farm vulnerability to extreme weather events. Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is reminding dog owners to exert caution as an atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRDC) has been reported nationally and in nearby northeast states. CIRDC is commonly referred to as “kennel cough”, a highly contagious illness affecting the respiratory tract in dogs.

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is encouraging eligible participants to visit a certified farmers’ market or farm stand to use their Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits before they expire on November 30, 2023. Unused funds will not rollover to 2024. Eligible participants include women enrolled in Women, Infants, and Child (WIC) through the Department of Public Health, as well as seniors over the age of 60 and disabled individuals who meet income and housing guidelines.

The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Connecticut, in coordination with Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development (CT RC&D) and Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAG) announce the release of the newly created website, CTVeteranGrown.org, in advance of Veterans Day as part of a larger three-year program to provide the state’s Farmer Veterans marketing assistance and resources to help in their long-term success.

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is accepting grant proposals for the 2024 Farm Transition Grant (FTG) to assist Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives in the diversification of existing operations, transition to value-added agricultural production and sales, and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state. Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.   

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Animal Population Control Program (APCP) will begin accepting applications for the Low-Income Program to assist eligible Connecticut residents with vaccination and sterilization of their owned pets on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Application forms are available for download in English and Spanish at https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/Regulatory/Regulatory/Animal-Population-Control-Program. They must be completed and returned by mail.

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announces new leadership for the Bureau of Regulatory Services with the hiring of Alexander Duffy, CCA as Bureau Director and promotion of James Allyn to Assistant Bureau Director.

The 30 remaining animals have been loaded onto a new trailer and will be transported to a facility to be evaluated by the State Veterinarian. CT DoAg is committed to ensuring the health and welfare of livestock and reminds those transporting animals to adhere to safe driving practices to provide a safe journey.