News
State to reinvest in farms
By Governor Rell's office
Jul 25, 2008 - 11:41:35 AM

During a visit to Rogers Orchards in Southington today, Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that $500,000 for the farm reinvestment program is expected to be approved by the State Bond Commission at its meeting on August 4.

The funds will help working farmers across the state expand or improve their operations as part of a 10-year business plan. The program offers matching grants of up to $40,000 that will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Now more than ever, our investment in Connecticut farms is critical to sustaining our food supply,” Governor Rell said. “Grocery bills are getting higher all the time as gas and diesel prices rise. It makes good economic sense for families to take advantage the quality products produced right here on Connecticut farms.”

Department of Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli said grants will be awarded to farms that have sound long-range programs. Farmers approved for the program must either match or exceed the grant amount and have one year to complete their projects.

“We need to keep our farms viable,” Commissioner Prelli said. “For such a small state, agriculture is big business and contributes more than $2 billion a year to Connecticut’s economy.”

The diversity of Connecticut agriculture has been essential to its sustainability over the years. There are fewer farms, but the ones remaining are larger. Part-time farmers make up one of the fastest growing segments and have become increasingly diverse.

According to the most recent state Agriculture statistics, Connecticut is:

· No. 1 in New England in nursery and greenhouse sales; pear production, milk production per cow; cut Christmas tree sales; aquaculture; tobacco acreage; and egg-laying chickens per square mile.

· No. 1 in the U.S. in density of horses and egg-laying hens

· In top 10 in U.S. in oysters

· In top 20 in U.S. in pears, maple trees, wild blueberries, tobacco production

The reinvestment program has helped Connecticut farmers expand dairy operations, add and renovate greenhouses, build fruit packing facilities, upgrade processing plants and maple sugar operations.

“Connecticut farmers have faced tough economic times for decades,” Governor Rell said. “But they are resilient and resourceful and we are so grateful for that. We owe it to them and to future farming generations to keep programs like this available.”

© Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com