Press Releases

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• 11/19/2024 Consumer Advisory: State Officials Urge Residents to Make Informed Decisions When Purchasing Raw Milk 

  (HARTFORD, CT) – State officials from Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) are urging consumers to be aware of the potential risks associated with consumption of raw milk. Raw milk can carry harmful bacteria or viruses that may pose serious health risks. If you choose to purchase and drink raw milk, keep the following in mind.

• 11/1/2024 CT DoAg Announces Farm Transition Grant to Support Diversification and Expansion of Agricultural Businesses

  (Hartford, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announces the release of Farm Transition Grant program guidance for fiscal year 2025. Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives are eligible to apply with a focus on projects seeking to diversify existing operations or transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales. All applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 10, 2025.

• 3/25/2024 CT DoAg Funds 21 Agricultural Enhancement Grant Projects

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the 2024 Agricultural Enhancement Grant Program (previously known as the Farm Viability Grant) has awarded more than $531,000 to fund 21 projects received from Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments, and/or agricultural non-profit organizations for projects that directly impact or foster agricultural viability.

• 3/21/2024 Jared McCool of Steadfast Farms in Bethlehem Named Connecticut’s Outstanding Young Farmer in 2024

  HARTFORD, Conn. — Unlike many past Connecticut Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) recipients, the 2024 honoree is a relative newcomer to agriculture. In fact, it began on a pheasant hunting trip with friends following his time with the US Marine Corps. Jared McCool, owner of Steadfast Farms and Steadfast Farms Poultry Processing and Slaughter in Bethlehem was named Connecticut’s Outstanding Young Farmer during Ag Day at the Capitol in Hartford on March 20, 2024.

• 3/12/2024 Update on Connecticut Horse Confirmed Positive for Equine Infectious Anemia

  HARTFORD, CT – Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian Dr. Jane Lewis, DVM, MSFS, DACVPM, confirms that the Windham County horse which was confirmed positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) on March 7, 2024, has been humanely euthanized. The other horses on the property remain under quarantine and will be undergoing EIA testing at regular intervals.

• 3/1/2024 CT DoAg Announces New Census of Agriculture Data Available

  (HARTFORD, CT) The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) has received the results of the U.S Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2022 Census of Agriculture, with new information about Connecticut farms and those who operate them, including data about decision-making, down to the county level. The average farm size in Connecticut is 74 acres, a 7% increase from 2017, however the amount of land in farms has decreased by 2.5% to 372,000 acres. The number of farms in Connecticut has declined to 5,058, however net farm income has increased by 90%. The data also shows that the total value of agricultural products is $704 million, an increase of 21% with nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod totaling $362 million or 51% of the total sales.

• 3/7/2024 Connecticut’s Backyard Flock Owners Encouraged to Practice Biosecurity for Healthy Flocks, Healthy People

  HARTFORD, Conn. — Spring season is upon us, and many residents may be considering starting or adding to their flock with the purchase of baby poultry including chicks and ducklings from farm stores throughout the state. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is reminding backyard and commercial flock owners of proper biosecurity measures to keep both people and birds healthy.

• 3/8/2024 Connecticut Horse Confirmed Positive for Equine Infectious Anemia

  HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s (CT DoAg) State Veterinarian, Dr. Jane Lewis, DVM, MSFS, DACVPM, announced today a confirmed case of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in a eight-year-old Quarter Horse in Windham County. The diagnosis was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) on March 7, 2024.

• 3/5/2024 Agricultural Businesses Encouraged to Apply to Exhibit in CT Building at The Big E

  HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is now accepting vendor applications for the agricultural booth spaces inside the Connecticut Building at the 2024 Big E. 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 13-29, 2024, offering farms, small agricultural businesses, and agricultural non-profit organizations based in Connecticut the opportunity to market their products and promote their services.

• 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.

• 5/3/2024 2024 Passport to CT Wine Country Starts May 4

  (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, will begin on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The Passport program offers visitors an opportunity to engage with the state’s award-winning farm wineries, collect stamps to be entered into prize drawings, create lasting memories, and explore all Connecticut offers.

• 6/21/2024 New Report Released on Farmland Access and Ownership in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), in partnership with Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC), announces the release of “Farmland Access & Ownership: An Overview of Barriers, Models, and Actions to Increase Land Access for Connecticut’s BIPOC Farmers”. CT DoAg engaged with CLCC to conduct the study and publish the report which looks at challenges and barriers to farmland access and ownership, as well as examining different cooperative models, focused on land trusts and publicly owned lands in urban and suburban areas.

• 5/30/2024 CT DoAg Announces Increased Funds and Early Start of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program on June 1

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt today announced that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) will begin Saturday, June 1, a month earlier than usual, and will run through November 30, 2024. Eligible participants can visit certified farmers’ markets and farm stands to redeem benefits for local CT Grown farm products including fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and eggs (state funds only). Seniors may also purchase honey with their funds.

• 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.

• 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.