July 2, 2013

GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES PLANT GRANTS OPEN TO FARMS DAMAGED BY MONDAY'S TORNADO AND SEVERE WEATHER

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Connecticut farms suffering damage from Monday's tornado and severe weather are now eligible to apply for the Production Loss Assistance Needed Today (PLANT) grants that he unveiled on June 23, which are providing assistance to farms in the state that have suffered damage from this year's severe weather events.

"Yesterday's tornado ripped through farmland, delivering the latest blow in a series of storms that have inflicted threatening wounds to some of our state's farms," Governor Malloy said. "I want to be very clear about the fact that these small businesses have my support and are eligible to apply for this special assistance to get back on their feet."

"It has been an especially trying year for agricultural producers," Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky said. "Farmers are adept at dealing with the whims of Mother Nature and recovering from her changing moods, but it seems she's been particularly temperamental this year. There are only so many times that even the toughest among us can get knocked down before needing a hand to get back up."

The Department of Economic and Community Development is partnering with the Department of Agriculture to offer a total of $5 million in assistance under the grants. The two state agencies will work with the nonprofit Connecticut Farm Bureau Association to administer the awards, which will be based on the number of eligible applications received by the July 15, 2013, deadline.

For additional information on the grants, visit the Department of Agriculture's website at www.CTGrown.gov or call 860-713-2573.

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For Immediate Release: July 2, 2013

Contact: Andrew Doba

Andrew.Doba@ct.gov

860-524-7308 (office)
860-770-8090 (cell)

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy