Hartford, CT. Contact: Ron Olsen, Marketing Division, at (860) 713-2550 or ronald.olsen@po.state.ct.us January 8th, 2007.
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced state investments in agriculture totaling $1,008,718 as part of an ongoing grant program to help expand and advance Connecticut's agricultural economy.
Fourteen agricultural producers, six non-profit agricultural organizations and 18 municipalities from throughout the state have been awarded the Connecticut Agriculture Viability Grants, designed to strengthen Connecticut's agricultural job-base and to support and promote agriculture in the state.
"This industry fuels our economy and keeps some 50,000 jobs here in Connecticut," Governor Rell said. "These funds will allow Connecticut's farmers to develop new agricultural products and invest in better facilities, equipment, and technologies. Our goal is to do all we can to keep this industry healthy and help it to grow jobs. This money keeps us moving toward that goal."
Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli added that "the 102 proposals we received from grant applicants were quite impressive. The recipients of these grants have demonstrated a thorough understanding of their subject, have carefully thought-out plans, and a keen business sense. We are pleased to be able to provide this funding to help them in their plans to enhance and strengthen Connecticut's agriculture industry and contribute to the success of our state's future."
"The grantees will have up to one year to complete the project, according to the terms of their contract," said Ron Olsen, program manager for the Department of Agriculture. "The grants were awarded on a competitive basis and a match must be supplied by the applicant." The Department of Agriculture's share of the budget is capped at $50,000 in matching funds.
Funding is not limited to producers. Non-profit organizations and municipalities also are eligible and may use the grants for town or regional planning purposes, as long as agricultural components are involved. A complete list of grant awardees and their projects is included at the end of this release.
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 serves to protect and preserve Connecticut for future generations by providing 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 agriculture in the state.
The funding 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.
The Department of Agriculture plans to open up the grant application period again in the late fall. For more information on these grants, please visit the Department's website at www.ct.gov/doag/ (click on "Programs and Services" then "Agriculture Viability Grants.")
Producers:
Dondero Orchards, South Glastonbury: $49,925 for greenhouse addition
Lindy Farms, Somers: $49,995 for horse breeding expansion
Peaceful Hill Tree Farm, East Hampton: $49,995 for retail stand expansion and educational facilities
Franklin Farms, Franklin: $49,995 for biodiesel production facility feasibility study
House of Hayes, North Granby: $49,995 for diversification into cheese production facility
Maple Lane Farm, Preston: $49,995 for expansion and diversification of existing juice lines
Botticello Farm, Manchester: $10,000 for safeguard generator backup for plants and produce
Lone Elm Farm, Hampton: $34,000 for hay storage barn and haying equipment
Footsteps Farm, Stonington: $4,880 for improved pasture and animal housing
Fort Hill Farm, New Milford: $4,830 for greenhouse addition
Full Bloom Apiaries, Preston: $8,000 for apiary expansion
Taylor Brooke Winery, Woodstock: $5,662 for installation of fermenters to increase production
Mik Ran Sugarhouse, Brooklyn: $11,000 for sugarhouse improvement and vacuum-tubing system
Wagon Road Greenhouse, Danielson: $3,989 for greenhouse enhancement
Non-Profits:
Yale University, New Haven: $49,995 for development of local food supply system for food service
Hartford School System, Holcomb Farm, West Granby: $8,590 for development of a high-tunnel greenhouse-like structure for vegetable production
Knox Park Foundation, Hartford: $16,883 for greenhouse restoration and improvements
Hockanum Industries, Mansfield: $4,190 for hoophouse construction
CT Northeast Organic Farming Association, Stevenson: $11,952 for a needs assessment for organic growers and resource handbook
City Seed, New Haven: $49,546 for a Connecticut "Buy Local" marketing campaign
Municipalities:
Bethany: $49,995 for purchase and implementation of Geographic Information System (GIS) that will aid in identifying local agriculture as part of a database information layer.
Clinton Shellfish Commission: $29,500 to restore shellfish populations and reintroduce commercial and recreational shellfishing
Colchester: $31,000 to inventory and rank agricultural land
Coventry: $5,700 for an "Eat Local, Eat Fresh" marketing campaign in conjunction with the Coventry Farmers Market
CT Conference of Municipalities: $49,000 to research and produce a CT Guide to Planning for Agriculture
East Windsor: $34,800 to lay groundwork for a Farmland Preservation Program
Farmington: $25,000 for Fisher Farm barn repairs
Guilford: $15,500 to support Agricultural Commission in education, communication and regulatory issues, as well as providing local agricultural signage
Hamden: $49,995 for construction and marketing of a new Farmers Market
Litchfield: $33,833 for a new Farmers Market to work alongside a new school food service demonstration project that uses farmers as educators and the cafeteria as a classroom
Milford: $18,000 for a feasibility study of farms and open space
Norfolk: $8,500 for a marketing plan for new Farmers Market over a two year period
Putnam: $49,995 for construction of a permanent Farmers Market
Salem: $5,000 for a viability study for short-term agricultural uses on town-owned land
Southbury: $7,500 for a Farmers Market feasibility study
Suffield: $25,200 for GIS mapping of agricultural lands, along with a marketing plan for farmers market
Thompson: $20,000 for municipal GIS mapping for farmland and open space protection planning purposes
Waterbury: $26,200 for expansion of the Main Street Farmers Market