Press Releases

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• 2/20/2025 Farm Recovery and Support Grant Update

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) strives to maintain an open line of communication and transparency as we work through the administration of the disaster supplemental funding bill that created the Farm Recovery and Support (FRS) Grant. This program makes available $220 million to eligible states “to provide compensation to producers for necessary expenses related to crop, timber, and livestock losses, including on-farm infrastructure, as a consequence of any weather event in 2023 and 2024 that a state, in its sole discretion, determines warrants relief”.

• 2/14/2025 Support Local Farmers with a Farm Share Subscription

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, cut flowers, meat, dairy, even shellfish – what do all of these have in common?

• 2/11/2025 Agricultural Businesses Invited to Exhibit in CT Building at The Big E

  (HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is now accepting vendor applications for the agricultural booth spaces inside the Connecticut Building at The Big E in 2025. The Connecticut Building is one of six New England buildings on the Avenue of the States at The Big E in West Springfield, MA. The 17-day annual event will take place September 12-28, 2025, offering farms, small agricultural businesses, and agricultural non-profit organizations based in Connecticut the opportunity to market their products and promote their services. In 2024, The Big E attracted more than 1.6 million visitors, setting an overall historic attendance record and seven single-day attendance records.

• 1/30/2025 Passport to CT Wine Country Holds Annual Prize Drawing

  (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.

• 1/28/2025 CT DoAg Statement on Temporary Pause of Federally Funded Grants

  (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.

• 1/27/2025 CT DoAg Requests Applications for Projects Enhancing Competitiveness of Specialty Crops

  (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.

• 1/24/2025 Preliminary Testing Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

  (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.

• 1/17/2025 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Detected in New London County Backyard Flock

  (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.

• 1/15/2025 CT DoAg Releases Agricultural Enhancement Grant to Address Gaps in Industry

  (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.

• 1/9/2025 Find CT Grown Products at Winter Farmers’ Markets Head Indoors for Local Produce, Dairy, and Meat to Support Connecticut Farms

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

• 1/8/2025 CT DoAg Requests Public Comment on Specialty Crop Block Grant Funding Priorities

  (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.

• 1/2/2025 Ring in the New Year with CT Grown Gear

  (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.

• 12/24/2024 CT DoAg Statement on Animal Welfare and Compliance at the Town of Cheshire Animal Control Facility

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is committed to safeguarding animal welfare in the state. In response to allegations concerning the conditions and care of animals housed at the animal control facility operated by the Town of Cheshire, our state animal control unit initiated a thorough investigation and inspection of the facility.

• 12/23/2024 Connecticut Approves Santa's Reindeer for Flight on Christmas Eve

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt and State Veterinarian Dr. Thamus Morgan announce that Santa Claus and his nine reindeer have received official approval to fly over Connecticut on December 24 to ensure the holiday magic continues without delay.

• 12/19/2024 CT DoAg Encourages Owners to Help Keep Pets Safe and Healthy During Winter Holidays 7 Action Steps to Enjoy the Cold Weather and Festivities

  (HARTFORD, CT) – As you are making a list and checking it twice during your holiday preparations, be sure to include pet safety as a priority. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) reminds owners of steps they can take to help keep pets healthy and safe through the holiday festivities and winter weather.