(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is nominating Bryan Hurlburt of Tolland to serve as commissioner of the Department of Agriculture.
Hurlburt is currently executive director of the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association – the state’s largest and oldest agricultural organization. In this role, he advocates on behalf of its members to promote policies that enhance the economic viability of agriculture in the state, a responsibility Governor Lamont says he would like Hurlburt to continue doing in this new role.
“Connecticut has a vibrant farming community – the products they produce are world-class and we want to help support the continued growth of this important sector of our state’s economy,” Governor Lamont said. “Bryan has years of experience not only advocating on behalf of Connecticut’s farms from an economic standpoint, but he also understands the vital role that our agricultural community has in improving the nutritional health of our state, particularly in regards to serving lower-income communities. I look forward to the progress that we can make to help support Connecticut’s agricultural operations.”
“Agriculture contributes $4 billion to our state’s economy and employs 21,000 people. I am looking forward to growing those numbers and supporting the small businesses that farm operations are,” Hurlburt said. “It’s an honor to join this administration, with a great opportunity to improve the environment for agriculture and increase access to locally grown food in our state.”
Prior to joining the Farm Bureau, Hurlburt worked as senior vice president of program operations at Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Bridgeport that is dedicated to empowering underserved consumers to make healthier food choices by making fresh food more affordable.
In 2013, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the Connecticut State Executive Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in a position where he was responsible for overseeing the agency’s crop protection, disaster relief, an, loan programs. He instituted a program to use the agency’s six field offices to better serve Connecticut farmers and help them navigate the different state, federal, and local programs that are available to help them and their farm operation.
From 2007 to 2013, Hurlburt was elected to four terms in office as state representative for the 53rd district of Ashford, Tolland, and Willington – a seat that was previously held by former Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman. While in office, he created and chaired the legislature’s Rural Caucus, consisting of rural leaders in each party from the Senate and House and advocating on behalf of those communities. Immediately prior to being elected, he worked for two years as a policy aid to Speaker of the House Jim Amann.
Hurlburt graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.
He will begin serving as the commissioner-designate on Friday, March 29. His nomination will be sent to the General Assembly for its advice and consent.