Agricultural Viability

Guiding Principle
Agriculture provides critical goods and services to Connecticut’s citizens and ecosystems. Viable
agriculture enhances the quality of life for the state’s residents through strengthening the economy,
preserving cultural heritages, protecting natural resources, and increasing food security.

Goal
To increase the viability and profitability of the Connecticut agricultural industry and its landscapes.

Objective 1: Facilitate and coordinate emerging efforts by agriculture producers, organizations, citizen groups, and governmental bodies to increase agricultural profitability and viability in Connecticut.
Strategies:
1. Partner with UCONN, CT Department of Agriculture and Connecticut Beef Producers to provide business assistance to increase capacity of local slaughterhouse operations and processing facilities.
2. Investigate and study State and local efforts to increase farm-to-school participation in coordination with Livable Communities.
3. With funding through 319h* implement a project to evaluate the potential of using dairy manure to replace peat in nursery crops.
4. Work with local partners to create a Shared Use Community Kitchen that would be a licensed kitchen facility where space would be
provided to prepare and process value-added food for consumer markets.
* Project funded by CT DEP through US EPA Clean Water Act 319h

Objective 2: Develop linkages between the agricultural community and state & federal efforts to develop green infrastructure and livable communities.
Strategies:
1. Partner with USDA-Rural Development to assist Agricultural Producers with the development of energy conservation and renewable energy through the CT Farm Energy Program.
a. Continue to serve as a resource of information on energy in relation to grant opportunities, loans, audits, education and events for AG producers in Connecticut. Continue distribution of the Connecticut Farm Energy Best Management Practices Guide.
b. Provide technical assistance in the form of grant writing to eligible Connecticut AG producers in applying for USDA - Rural Development REAP Grants, which provide assistance to those who are eligible with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy projects. As well as providing grant writing assistance with USDA - Rural Development Value Added Producer Grants.
c. Annually host 4 Grant Workshops to provide information about the Connecticut Farm Energy program, Rural Development REAP Grants as well as other grant opportunities and assistance available to AG Producers throughout Connecticut.
d. Host the 2nd Annual CT Farm Energy Fair specifically for Ag Producers in partnership with supporting organizations.
e. Work to implement State support and funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on Connecticut Farms.

2011 CT Farm Energy Fair at Eastern CT State University

Objective 3:Initiate and support efforts to educate the general public, government officials, and interest groups on the benefits of forestry in Connecticut, and the tools available to ensure its survival.
Strategies:
1. Partner with NRCS, DEEP and UCONN on forestry initiatives to promote the availability of programs and resources to forest landowners in Connecticut.

Objective 4: Develop and initiate policies & projects to promote the economic and cultural importance of farmland protection to municipal officials and decision makers.
Strategies:
1. Partner with American Farmland Trust to develop a Livestock BMP Guide for Connecticut Municipalities and conduct municipal outreach.
2. Partner with The Last Green Valley, NRCS, USDA Farm Service Agency, UCONN, CT Department of Agriculture and others to continue the AGvocate program in Eastern Connecticut.
3. Assist municipalities in increasing the value of agriculture in their communities through education, outreach activities and technical assistance.
4. Recognize a municipality for their outstanding work with agriculture at the Eastern CT RC&D Annual Meeting.

Objective 5: Encourage the continued viability of agriculture as a primary land use in Eastern Connecticut.
Strategies:
1. Through participation in the Connecticut Farmland Preservation Advisory Board, provide leadership and recommendations on improving farmland protection policies in the State.

Objective 6:Increase awareness of the environmental impacts of the equine community on the Connecticut landscape.
Strategies:
1. Conduct outreach to equine owners and municipalities about Best Management Practices.
2. Promote new and innovative ideas to deal with equine manure.

Agricultural Viability Updates: News & Events

Second Annual AGvocate Conference: Conference Information & Links:
Harvard Law School’s “Good Laws, Good Food” Guide

Connecticut “Planning for Agriculture” guide – 2nd Edition

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Information

2012 CT Zoning Regulations & Ordinances for Livestock is now available. As a focus on local agriculture continues to grow in popularity and residential development pushes further into areas that were previously exclusively agricultural, Connecticut communities have struggled with managing these land uses. The RC&D Council, in partnership with American Farmland Trust, USDA-NRCS, Connecticut Farm Bureau, University of Connecticut Extension, the AGvocate program, and numerous agricultural stakeholders, developed this guide to assist municipalities in working through the considerations when seeking to permit, encourage, and regulate the keeping of livestock. To view it click on CT Livestock Manual (pdf)