Connecticut governor announces over $800,000 in agriculture viability grant awards
Connecticut governor announces over $800,000 in agriculture viability grant awards
HARTFORD, CT -- Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced $823,636 in grant funds to help expand and advance the state's agricultural economy. The grants are administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.
The funds will go to 14 agricultural producers, two non-profit agricultural organizations and 16 municipalities throughout the state as part of the Connecticut Agriculture Viability Grant program.
"Agriculture is an important part of our state's history and a vital component of Connecticut's future," Gov. Rell said in a Jan. 2 statement. "We want to keep our local agricultural industry strong, and these funds help to do exactly that."
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.
"These grants are awarded on a competitive basis and a match must be supplied by the applicant," Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli said in the statement. "They are evaluated on the soundness of the applicants' business plans and the long-term feasibility of the proposed projects. We want to be certain that we are supporting projects that will best serve the state's residents for many years to come."
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture's share of the budget for each project is capped at $50,000 in matching funds. Grantees will have up to one year to complete the project, according to the terms of their contract.
The Agricultural Viability Grants are made available through Public Act 05-228. "This landmark legislation serves to protect and preserve Connecticut for future generations," Gov. Rell said. "It 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 agriculture in the state."
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture plans to open the grant application period again in fall 2008. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov and click on "Programs and Services" at the top of the page.
The funds will go to 14 agricultural producers, two non-profit agricultural organizations and 16 municipalities throughout the state as part of the Connecticut Agriculture Viability Grant program.
"Agriculture is an important part of our state's history and a vital component of Connecticut's future," Gov. Rell said in a Jan. 2 statement. "We want to keep our local agricultural industry strong, and these funds help to do exactly that."
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.
"These grants are awarded on a competitive basis and a match must be supplied by the applicant," Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli said in the statement. "They are evaluated on the soundness of the applicants' business plans and the long-term feasibility of the proposed projects. We want to be certain that we are supporting projects that will best serve the state's residents for many years to come."
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture's share of the budget for each project is capped at $50,000 in matching funds. Grantees will have up to one year to complete the project, according to the terms of their contract.
The Agricultural Viability Grants are made available through Public Act 05-228. "This landmark legislation serves to protect and preserve Connecticut for future generations," Gov. Rell said. "It 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 agriculture in the state."
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture plans to open the grant application period again in fall 2008. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov and click on "Programs and Services" at the top of the page.
