Connecticut Dept of Agriculture Viability Grant Program Now Open

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has released the 2018 Farm Viability Grant guidance document for the development of projects which foster agricultural viability in their communities.

Eligible projects include those that directly impact and/or foster production agriculture. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Projects that provide Connecticut Grown foods in schools/institutions especially on a year-round basis

2. Municipal farmland projects that identify, preserve, and/or make available farmland soils to agricultural producers

3. Municipal marketing and promotion of Connecticut agriculture

4. Projects that assist farmers with meeting existing and emerging food safety requirements

Information can be found on: http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3260&q=419408

Applications will be accepted from November 13 through 4:00 p.m. on November 20, 2018.

If you’ve never considered doing a project related to Connecticut production agriculture – please do! Here are a few resources that might spark some ideas:

Publications in partnership with CT Farmland Trust for the inventory and preservation of farmland: https://ctfarmland.org/site/resources/

Information on PA 490: https://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/commish_and_gov/CT_Farm_Bureau_PA_490_Sm4Web_2015.pdf

Farm to School resources: http://www.farmtoschool.org/

If you have any questions about the grant or a potential project please don’t hesitate to contact Mark Hood, Mark.Hood@ct.gov or 860-713-2530, anytime.

Download the application and guidelines