Press Releases
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6/24/2024
Reminder: Agriculture Licenses Expire June 30
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Licensing Unit reminds holders of the following licenses that they are up for renewal and expire on June 30, 2024.
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6/14/2024
Tips to Keep Animals Safe this Summer
(HARTFORD, CT) – As temperatures rise and hot, humid days are upon us, Connecticut Department of Agriculture is reminding pet and livestock owners to take action to keep their animals safe this summer. This is also the time of year for extreme weather such as thunderstorms and hurricanes, and celebrations which may include fireworks. These types of events may frighten some animals. Owners should prepare now by updating identification tags and microchip information, checking the safety and security of enclosures, and contacting veterinarians if medication is needed to ease anxiety.
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1/5/2024
CT DoAg Requests Public Comment
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.
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1/16/2024
Connecticut Seeks Outstanding Young Farmer Nominations
The Connecticut Agricultural Information Council (CAIC) is seeking nominations for the 2024 Connecticut Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF). Awarded annually during Ag Day at the Capitol, the Connecticut Outstanding Young Farmer Award recognizes the winner’s progress in their agricultural career, their soil and water conservation practices, and their contributions to the well-being of the community, the state, and the nation. Nomination applications must be submitted electronically via email to erin.pirro@farmcrediteast.com by Friday, February 23, 2024.
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1/5/2024
CT DoAg Releases Agricultural Enhancement Grant
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.
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1/25/2024
CT DoAg Announces Food System Capacity Building Grant
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), on behalf of the CT Food Policy Council, announces the competitive solicitation process to award funds to Connecticut organizations and groups involved in food system policy or creating innovative, localized, programming in their respective communities to increase food access and address food insecurity through the Food System Capacity Building Grant. Applicants must submit a completed application by March 6, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. using Cognito Forms.
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2/7/2024
USDA Partners with Connecticut to Award Over $2.1 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has a cooperative agreement with Connecticut under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and Connecticut are working together to offer over $2.1 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. Connecticut is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through April 10, 2024.
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1/19/2024
CT DoAg Announces Funding for Specialty Crops
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is now accepting applications for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) for the 2024 program year. Applicants must submit a completed application by March 4, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. using Cognito Forms.
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2/8/2024
CT DoAg Awards $2.8 Million Investing in 53 Farm-to-School Based Projects
(HARTFORD, CT) The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is awarding 53 grants totaling more than $2.8 million through its Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant (CTG4CTK Grant) to increase the availability of local foods in child nutrition programs, allow educators to use hands-on educational techniques to teach students about nutrition and farm-to-school connections, sustain relationships with local farmers and producers, enrich the educational experience of students, improve the health of children in the state and enhance the state's economy.
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2/16/2024
CT DoAg Encourages Consumers to Sign Up for Farm Shares during National CSA Week, February 19-25
HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is encouraging consumers to sign up for a farm share during National CSA Week, which will run from February 19-25, 2024. This annual celebration of Community Supported Agriculture is a time to recognize the value of buying direct from local producers and enhance the connection between consumer and farmer.
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10/8/2024
CT DoAg Issues Recall of Raw Milk from Nature View Dairy
(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) has issued a stop sale and recall of bottled raw milk from Nature View Dairy in Bridgewater, CT. This action follows confirmation by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) of two human cases of Campylobacter illness which were related to the consumption of bottled raw milk. CT DoAg and DPH immediately began investigating the source of illness.
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10/4/2024
Celebrate the Fall Harvest: Explore Connecticut Farms for a Fun-Filled Experience
(HARTFORD, CT) – As the leaves turn and the air cools, it’s time to embrace the beauty of autumn and all the delightful activities it brings. This fall, CT Grown invites families and friends to create lasting memories by visiting local farms for a variety of harvest activities, including pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, corn mazes, and award-winning farm wineries. Experience the joys of fall harvest activities that bring together community, tradition, and fun by gathering your loved ones and heading out to explore all that Connecticut’s farms have to offer.
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10/7/2024
CT DoAg Celebrates CT Grown for CT Kids Week, October 7-11
(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture marked the start of Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids (CTG4CTK) Week from October 7 through October 11, with a visit to Beman Middle School in Middletown to announce nearly $80,000 to fund 19 CTG4CTK microgrant projects. Upon implementation these awards will continue developing farm to school programs throughout the state with the potential to positively impact more than 3,300 students. Beman Middle School received a CTG4CTK Grant award in fiscal year 2023 to provide a multi-faceted experiential learning opportunity for more than 900 students.
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10/17/2024
USDA and Connecticut Award Over $670,000 to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Connecticut to award over $670,000 for three projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.
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10/31/2024
LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ AND AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER HURLBURT CELEBRATE FARMLAND PRESERVATION MILESTONE OF 50,000 ACRES
(Hartford, CT) – Yesterday, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt were joined by partners to celebrate the protection of 50,000 acres statewide since the inception of the farmland preservation program in 1979. This significant achievement is part of a long-term goal to preserve 130,000 acres of farmland, ensuring that agriculture remains a vital part of Connecticut’s landscape and cornerstone of the state’s economy.