Press Releases

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• 6/27/2024 CT DoAg Announces Opening of Feral Cat Program

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg)’s Animal Population Control Program (APCP) will begin accepting applications for the Feral Cat Program on July 1, 2024. The Feral Cat Program assists Connecticut non-profit rescue groups with grants to spay and neuter feral cats at participating veterinarian providers.

• 7/3/2024 Request for Proposals Released for CT FarmLink Program Technical Assistance

  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is in search of qualified entities to support the agency with administering the Connecticut FarmLink program (FarmLink).

• 7/19/2024 Equine Owners Reminded to Protect Against Mosquito Diseases

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) reminds the state’s equine community to take appropriate measures to protect against mosquito-borne diseases this season, including eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV).

• 7/3/2024 CT DoAg Issues Milk Handling Recommendations for Exhibitors and Event Organizers

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) has issued milk handling recommendations for exhibitors and event organizers to minimize the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1).

• 7/19/2024 New One-on-One Support Available to Connecticut’s Agriculture Industry

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut’s agriculture industry, including producers, food businesses, and non-profits sourcing CT Grown farm products, now have access to new one-on-one business technical assistance and grant coaching. Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is utilizing funds available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Resilient Food System Infrastructure Grant Program (RFSI) to contract with three separate entities to provide an array of services, including but not limited to, market diversification and development, supply chain coordination, and business and financial planning. 

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.