Agriculture is a $2 billion industry in Connecticut.The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announced $1 million in matching funds to more than two dozen farms, non-profit agricultural organizations and municipalities for a variety of projects ranging from a new farmers’ market to greenhouse expansion.
Projects range from a farmers’ market in Bozrah to a solar irrigation system for an Old Lyme nursery and protection measures for shellfish beds on the shoreline.
The grants help finance on-farm improvements and fund programs that promote Connecticut agriculture. The latest round of grants – $907,055 – go to 13 agricultural producers, four non-profit agricultural organizations and 13 municipalities.
Recipients can get up to $50,000 in matching funds and have one year to complete their project. (A list of recipients and their projects is below.)
The funding for the grants is generated through a $30 fee collected by town/city clerks for the recording of all documents into municipal land records. Documents subject to this fee include deeds, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, judgment liens, notices of lease, releases of mortgages and liens, name change certificates, notices of variances, and condominium declarations.
Funding is not limited to farmers. Non-profit organizations and municipalities also are eligible for the grants if agricultural components are involved. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis and matching funds must be supplied by the applicant.
The Agricultural Viability Grants are made available through Public Act 05-228, An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing and Historic Preservation. This landmark legislation provides funding for municipal open space grants, farm viability and preservation, historic preservation, and new and existing affordable housing programs, along with new infrastructure to support and promote Connecticut agriculture.
The Department of Agriculture plans to open the next grant application period in the fall of 2009.
Grant award recipients:
Beltane Farm, Lebanon, $11,400, for vat pasteurizer to increase goat cheese production
Bishop’s Orchard Winery, Guilford, $19,000, new wine filtration system
Buell’s Orchard, Eastford, $32,186, purchase of food grade fruit bins in order to meet commercial standards
CT Agricultural Education Foundation, Windsor (non-profit), $28,710, agriculture in the classroom programs and purchases
CT Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven (non-profit), $24,358, website development, to aid Connecticut farmers manage plant health problems
Eastern CT Conservation District (non-profit), $2,990, “Celebrating Agriculture” promotion and outreach
Haight-Brown Vineyard, Litchfield, $15,000, vineyard renovation
Hollywood Equine, Ellington, $49,990, horse boarding facility
House of Hayes Dairy Farm, North Granby, $7,700, an additional pasteurizer for goat cheese
Judge’s Farm, Old Lyme, $36,000, photovoltaic solar system to generate power for irrigation and perennial production
Keed’s Farm, Woodbury, $49,990, hydroponic greenhouse equipment for production of micro-greens and tomatoes
King Lobster, Branford, $10,500, construction of upwelling docks for oyster and clam production
Logee’s Greenhouse, Danielson, $49,990, four-bay gutter connected greenhouse for energy efficiency
Old Maid’s Farm, Glastonbury, $30,200, cider mill processing renovations and equipment
Roger’s Orchard, Southington, $ 48,648, plastic apple bin replacement for upgrade and bin sanitation
White Silo Farm & Winery, Sherman, $37,180, commercial kitchen to produce value-added products for farm
Wholesome Wave, Bridgeport (non-profit), $49,990, create urban markets in Bridgeport to help underserved
Total: $503,832
Municipality Grants -
Bozrah, $35,000, new farmers’ market
Haddam, $9,300, expansion and marketing of farmers’ market
Lebanon, $9,500, farmers’ market promotions and farm preservation property appraisals
Ledyard, $26,000, agricultural plan as part of town plan of conservation and development
New London, $49,000, a strategic plan for a New London region food system
New Milford, $27,000, educational program for community youth by promoting local agriculture and healthy eating habits
Southbury, $2,999, farmers’ market advertising and special events
Stratford, $9,000, establishment of construction funding strategy for commercial docks
Thompson, $46,000, development of a regional agriculture-advocate position in eastern Connecticut
Waterbury, $46,618, implementation of a community farm system
Westport, $49,990, shoreline storm-drain monitoring system for shellfish areas
Windham Region Council of Governments, $42,826, Public Act 490 update and educational outreach
Woodbridge, $49,990, establishment of community supported agriculture (CSA) and barn restoration on town-owned farm
Total: $403,223
