Press Releases
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3/18/2020
Connecticut Farmers Markets and Farm Stands OPEN
(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut residents seeking fresh, local foods are advised that farm stands and farmers’ markets remain open for business. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has worked with Governor Lamont’s office to clarify that these entities are not currently affected by the Executive Order.
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5/8/2020
Supporting the Shellfish Industry During the COVID 19 Pandemic
(HARTFORD, CT) - The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is collaborating with state and federal partners on the development of a phased response to support shellfish farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The innovative program will enable shellfish farmers to contribute to the rehabilitation of the state’s natural shellfish beds, and to receive compensation for their work, which will occur in two distinct phases. This work highlights the importance of the partnership between the Department and Connecticut Sea Grant to provide assistance to the industry during a critical time.
- 8/14/2020 Support CT Farmers and Restaurants During Farm-to-Chef Week
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10/8/2020
Geer Farm - Farm Protected in Lebanon
Connecticut Farmland Trust and Connecticut Department of Agriculture are pleased to announce the preservation of Geer Farm in Lebanon.
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8/19/2020
Connecticut Producers Urged to Enroll in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is urging dairy producers to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide vital financial assistance to absorb sales losses and increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Monday, August 17, 2020, Connecticut dairy producers have received $5.9 million in payments, accounting for 86% of payments made to Connecticut. USDA is accepting CFAP applications now through September 11, 2020. Producers should apply through the Farm Service Agency at their local USDA Service Center. Learn more at farmers.gov/cfap. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage, and its contribution to the state's economy. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov.
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8/19/2020
Connecticut Dairy Producers Urged to Enroll in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is urging dairy producers to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide vital financial assistance to absorb sales losses and increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Monday, August 17, 2020, Connecticut dairy producers have received $5.9 million in payments, accounting for 86% of payments made to Connecticut.
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3/4/2020
Connecticut's Green Industry Is Growing
(HARTFORD, CT) – Last month members of the green industry, comprised of wholesale and retail nursery, greenhouse, turfgrass and sod producers; landscape architecture, design, construction, and maintenance firms; and distributors of lawn and garden products at wholesale and retail, gathered in the Legislative Office Building to announce the findings of the report by UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy, Economic Impacts of the Connecticut Green Industry in 2017.
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10/2/2020
CT Grown for CT Kids Week
Highlight of October National Farm to School Month
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1/7/2021
Southington Farm Permanently Protected
State of Connecticut Community Farms Preservation Program Purchases Development Rights of Karabin Farms in Partnership with Town
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3/23/2020
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXECUTIVE ORDER 7H ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
(HARTFORD, CT) – On March 20, 2020, The Governor issued Executive Order 7H, directing all businesses and nonprofit entities in the State of Connecticut to utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work from home procedures that they can safely employ. That order also directed that, no later than March 23, 2020 at 8 p.m., each non-essential business or nonprofit entity (and therefore not including or applicable to any state or local government agencies, quasi-public agencies, political subdivisions or other entities that do not constitute businesses or nonprofits) shall reduce the in-person workforce at each business location by 100% from pre-state of emergency declaration employment levels. Executive Order 7H authorized the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”) to provide legally binding guidance about which businesses are essential.
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2/26/2020
Maple Sugaring Season Kicks Off
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt joined Rob Lamothe, owner of Lamothe’s Sugar House in Burlington, on Friday, February 14 to participate in a ceremonial maple tapping in celebration of Connecticut’s “sweetest” time of the year, the start of maple sugaring season.
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9/15/2020
Bite Into Fall with Connecticut Grown Apples
(HARTFORD, CT) – You might not be able to bob for apples this fall, but you can visit an orchard to pick your own apples. Connecticut is home to more than 65 orchards with more than 60 apple varieties suitable for snacking, salads, sauces, desserts, and more.
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3/11/2020
Legislative Update March 11 2020
It has now been one month since opening day and the legislative process is moving full steam ahead. Over the last several weeks, committees have passed their raised bill deadlines and have begun soliciting public input on a variety of important pieces of legislation. In the short period following a public hearing, a bill can be amended – clarifying data, amending sections, and responding to testimony that was submitted to the committee.
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2/5/2020
Outstanding Young Farmer Congress
Connecticut welcomed more than 200 members of the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) to the National Outstanding Young Farmers (NOYF) Congress from February 6-9 in Westbrook. Attendees included former NOYF alumni, sponsors and other agricultural professionals, as well as 10 finalists from across the nation. The organization gathered to honor the outstanding achievements of America’s young agriculturalists.
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9/15/2020
Stanley Boniewski Farm of Middletown Is Protected and Ready for a New Owner
[HARTFORD, CT] - Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT) and Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) are pleased to announce the preservation of Stanley Boniewski Farm in Middletown. This 41-acre farm was protected in concert by the Town of Middletown, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), CT DoAg, and CFT.