Month: September 2019

Sen. Cohen Celebrates Growth of Connecticut’s New Hemp Program

LEDYARD, CT – Standing in a field of hemp that will be ready for harvest in just three weeks, state Senator Christine Cohen (D–Guilford) today joined Town Farm owners Dylan and Amanda Williams and various state officials to announce that Connecticut has already licensed 82 hemp growers, 2 processors and 21 manufacturers under a new pilot hemp-growing program that the legislature just passed in the first week of May.

The unanimous and bipartisan legislation – of which Sen. Cohen was a primary sponsor due in large part to her role as Senate Chair of the Environment Committee – was passed early in the session to ensure that Connecticut farmers could plant their first crop and harvest it this summer.

The timing worked, as there are currently 294 acres of land being used to grow hemp in Connecticut. Town Farm in Ledyard, which was the first farm in Connecticut licensed to grow hemp, now has a total of seven acres under cultivation at three different sites in Connecticut.

“While we were well-informed and well-researched on the benefits of creating a hemp industry, seeing it come to fruition and gaining momentum in Connecticut is beyond words,” said Sen. Cohen. “I have been touring farms across the state and their progress is truly remarkable. There is a sense of hope and excitement over this crop with great reason. The beneficial uses of hemp are seemingly endless. I am grateful for the hard work of fellow legislators, such as Senator Osten, the Connecticut Farm Bureau, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Consumer Protection, UConn, our federal delegation, and Governor Lamont who were all at the table working to ensure this bill’s passage. The future is bright for this industry.”

“This new law allows farmers to diversify and plant a new crop, which brings value and economic viability back to their land,” Dylan Williams said. “It’s also a new commodity for the state.”

Williams said he hopes to harvest about 10,000 pounds of hemp flowers from his seven acres beginning in October, and to use the crop to produce CDB oil and, in the future, hemp fiber. He has focused this summer on the technical aspects of plant spacing, measuring yields, and developing an integrated pest management control plan for the plants which he says is ‘crucial” to the success of future hemp production in the state.

“Our administration is committed to efforts that will strengthen our agricultural economy and create jobs, and do so in a responsible manner by offering a competitive market to thousands of our state’s farmers,” Governor Ned Lamont said today during a tour of Town Farm. “Since we launched this hemp program, we’ve developed great partnerships with these farmers – some of whom have been in the industry for many years and are diversifying their agricultural opportunities with hemp, and other who are first-timers and have become attracted to this new and growing market. I’m excited about the opportunities this program is creating.”

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DOAG), which is responsible under the new law for licensing hemp growers and processors, had the program up and running within one week. DOAG also launched an online portal – available at www.ctgrown.gov/hemp – to give interested growers an opportunity to submit applications for licenses.

“It’s exciting to be able to offer a new opportunity and market for Connecticut farmers to participate,” DOAG Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said. “There has been a lot of engagement and collaboration with partners and farmers across the state, and it’s great to celebrate the first growing season with all of the partners today.”

Sen. Cohen Announces Formation of Bipartisan Coastal Caucus

The Caucus will Address Connecticut’s Unique Coastal Needs

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) announced the formation of the bipartisan Coastal Caucus. Sen. Cohen, who is co-chair of the Environment Committee, will co-chair the Coastal Caucus with state Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-Fairfield). The Senator said the creation of this caucus coincides with the Governor’s Executive Order announced at today’s climate forum. It will facilitate collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches, as well as between legislators most impacted by issues along Connecticut’s coastline.

“With the myriad of matters presented by sea-level rise and our changing environment, it is imperative we do all we can to protect our coastline for our state’s residents, environment and economy,” said Sen. Cohen. “The formation of this Coastal Caucus is a useful tool in ensuring the well-being of Connecticut’s shoreline communities. I am confident the legislature, together with the Executive branch and environmental agencies and advocates, can devise creative and effective methods to shore up coastal resiliency and provide for a sustainable future.”

Rep. McCarthy Vahey said she is excited to join the caucus in a leadership role. She said taking on climate change will ensure the overall health of Coastal Connecticut.
“I look forward to joining Sen. Cohen and legislators from both chambers and both sides of the aisle to address one of the most urgent and pressing needs of our era, climate change,” said Rep. McCarthy Vahey. “Governor Lamont’s leadership and recognition of the crucial role we play as policy makers in creating resilient, prepared communities will result in effective solutions. Coastal Connecticut is at risk and we must work together to take bold steps that will assure the long term health and safety of the people of our state.”

The Coastal Caucus will address the state’s unique needs in regards to our proximity to the Long Island Sound and other waterways. From tackling how climate is impacting sea-level rise, to delving into coastal resilience, finding ways to end offshore energy and waste contamination, and dealing with the unique needs of aquaculture, fisheries and marine wildlife, the Coastal Caucus aims to properly address these items and more. The Coastal Caucus plans to hold an informational session with the Connecticut Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation in late September or early October with subsequent meetings with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and other environmental agencies in order to educate itself on pertinent issues and how best to tackle climate action.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been invited to participate in the caucus. Invitations were sent out following an environmental forum with Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, Sen. Cohen and other state legislators. At the press conference, Gov. Lamont announced an executive action regarding climate action.