Deadline is May 2012 Community Farm

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Community Farms Preservation Program offers $2 million for cooperative state-local farmland preservation projects in qualifying municipalities. Interested municipalities must pre-qualify by May 31, 2012; applications will be due by July 31, 2012. Preference will be given to small food-producing farms. Details linked here for the www.ct.gov site. This pilot program, authorized by Connecticut General Statutes 22-26nn, allocates Community Investment Act funds for cooperative state-local farmland preservation projects in qualifying municipalities.

Farmers Need Land; Land Needs Farmers

Are you a young farmer who is looking for land? According to state statute, The Connecticut FarmLink is designed to be a clearinghouse for the transition between generations of farmers with the goal of keeping farmland in production.

Farm owners or farm seekers can use the site to share information with other owners and seekers registered with the FarmLink Program.

For questions or assistance,call the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, marketing division, at (860) 713-2503.

CT NOFA Second Greenhouse Growing Workshop

Greenhouses are appealing places for food and other life forms.

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA) will host a Greenhouse Growing Workshop on Monday, April 25, 4 p.m. at Holcomb Farm CSA in West Granby.

John Bartok, Jr., an agricultural engineer and UCONN Extension professor emeritus, will lead the workshop and discuss greenhouse design and ways to improve efficiency and function.

Holcomb Farm utilizes several greenhouses of varying designs for a variety of crop production, including a three-bay, three-season structure.

Cost is $15; attendance is limited. To pre-register call (203) 888-5146 or sign up online at www.ctnofa.org.

This workshop is supported by a specialty crop grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture focusing on winter food.

Yes To $500,000 Farm Reinvestment Grants

Connecticut farmers making long-term improvements to their operations are looking to approval of $500,000 in grant funds when the State Bond Commission meets July 13. Governor M. Jodi Rell has approved the measure, which would be awarded through the state Department of Agriculture’s Farm Reinvestment Grant Program.

Farmers who expand or improve their operations as part of a 10-year business plan and who complete the project within the year may qualify for matching grants of up to $40,000.

The grant awards provide seed money for projects that "enhance existing agricultural operations."

Projects may improve the farms’ operations cash flow, create new jobs, and expand municipal grand lists. Approved projects have included farm expansion through the greenhouse construction, new dairy facilities, cheese production facilities, commercial kitchens, wine processing and fruit and vegetable packing facilities.

It is anticipated that the $500,000 will be leveraged with more than $1.5 million in farmers’ funds for more than $2 million in total projects.

Under Gavel - Horse (and Goats) Auction Nov. 21

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture will be auctioning horses (14 miniatures, seven Quarter horses, one Arab, one Morab) plus four goats from their Equine and Animal Rescue Program, along with six UConn horses on Saturday, Nov. 21, UConn Horsebarn Hill arena. Preview is 10 a.m.; auction: 1 p.m.

All will have current health certificates, negative Coggins tests and have recently been fully vaccinated. Records are available upon request. Funds raised during the event will benefit the Animal Abuse Cost Recovery Account to help offset the expenses occurred by rehabilitating the horses.

To view the animals before Saturday’s auction visit www.ct.gov/doag.

For information call Linda Wenner, state animal control officer, (860) 713-2567.

For more about the UConn horses, call John Bennett, horse unit manager or Kathy Pelletier, assistant manager, at (860) 486-2034.

Grown In (Or On) Connecticut Earth

Looking for food grown in (or on) the rich soils of Connecticut?

Connecticut-grown meat producers offer an online guide to finding 75 producers of livestock including poultry, beef, pork, lamb, bison, goat, and more.

Connecticut Dairy Products guide offers locations to pick up fresh milk, cream, eggnog, yogurt, specialty cheeses, ice cream, and butter.

The Apple Growers brochure lists places to visit (or call) for ordering pies or selecting fruit, gift baskets and such. Additional offerings are included in the 2009-2010 Winter Farmers' Markets.

(There's Connecticut Honey Producers or maple sugarhouses listings, too. Perfect to tuck in a jar of either for a gift to bring your hosts on a visit.)

The Specialty Food Producers showcase quality, locally produced specialty items that include beverages, condiments, appetizers, and snacks.

"Your Guide to Connecticut Farm Wineries" can provide the perfect complement to all foods.

The CT Garden and Landscape Trail brochure is a guide (by county) to track down holiday plants and fresh Christimas trees.

For more information, visit the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Web site at www.CTGrown.gov (click on “publications” at the left of the page.)

Organic Foods Producer: This Is For You

Want some help with marketing your organic produce?

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of $1.5 million in funds for allocation to State Department of Agriculture for providing cost share assistance to eligible organic producers certified to the National Organic Program (NOP).

Under the applicable FCIA provisions, the department is authorized to provide cost-share assistance to organic producers in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Each State Department of Agriculture (Agencies, Commissions or Departments) in the aforementioned states, that is interested in obtaining program funds are invited to submit applications to AMS.

Applications for federal assistance from states must be submitted to the National Organic Program by Nov. 1, 2009.

The program will provide cost-share assistance, through participating states, to organic producers receiving certification or continuation of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent commencing Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010.

Cost-share assistance payments are limited to 75 percent of an individual producer’s certification costs up to a maximum of $750 per year.

Organic producers within the eligible states must contact their local State Department of Agriculture to apply for cost-share assistance.

To receive cost-share assistance, organic producers must submit an application to the representative agency of the state in which their farm/operation is located. This application must include: 1) proof of NOP certification issued or continued within the cost-share qualifying period, Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010, and; 2) an itemized invoice demonstrating costs incurred for NOP certification.This program is in addition to and separate from the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program which is also administered by AMS and is open to all states and U.S. Territories.

Link to Federal Register notice announcing AMA cost share program.
Or contact Robert Pooler, Ag Marketing Specialist, (202) 720-3252.