“Through our CT Grown marketing campaign, which will celebrate its 40th year in 2026, we regularly highlight various crops and encourage consumer participation in pick-your-own activities,” said Bryan Hurlburt, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. “Additionally, we administer the USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant program, which provides funding for critical research and promotion of specialty crops.”

The department’s Ag Enhancement Grant program includes funding for farmers’ market promotion. Connecticut  Department of Agriculture also administers the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program for eligible WIC and senior recipients using federal and state funds to ensure food insecure individuals have access to locally grown, fresh farm food products.

On July 9, Governor Ned Lamont announced he signed into law two major pieces of legislation approved by the General Assembly to encourage growth within Connecticut’s agricultural sector.

Public Act 25-152 is known as the CT Farm Bill and among its several provisions creates a new tax credit for farmers’ investments in eligible machinery, equipment and buildings. Public Act 25-141 establishes a land access grant program within the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to improve farmers’ access to land.

“Legislators from both parties came together to champion these bills which also received significant support from industry stakeholders such as CT Farm Bureau Association and Working Lands Alliance, as well as farmers who testified in public hearings,” Hurlburt said.

A variety of programs are available through the agency, including microgrants specifically designed for new and beginning farmers to support operations within their first three years and propel their businesses forward, as well as Ag Enhancement Grants for eligible non-profits engaging in ag education activities to showcase this sector as a viable career option for the next generation.

“Partner organizations such as UConn Extension and New CT Farmers Alliance have programming available to support those pursuing farming as a career, including hands-on, practical training, and social connections,” Hurlburt said.

Overall, the department works closely with a number of state agencies and partner organizations.

“On the state agency side, we regularly engage with our Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Department of Public Health to share messaging of interest to our respective audiences from agritourism opportunities to highly pathogenic avian influenza,” Hurlburt said. “Over the past year, we have also collaborated with our Department of Labor and State Comptroller to amplify state resources available for farm businesses, including the state run MyCTSavings program and farm labor.”

Resiliency through diversity has been the department’s theme and its work will continue to reflect that. “When we say that, we mean: ‘Who is growing?’ ‘How are they growing?’ ‘Where are they growing?’ The wider we can cast our net to bolster farm operations in Connecticut and provide them with the necessary tools and resources, the stronger our agricultural community will be. A strong farm economy is a strong state economy and improves quality of life for all residents,” said  Hurlburt.

Photo: Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signs into law two pieces of legislation  to encourage growth within Connecticut’s agricultural sector.