Sen. Osten Welcomes Agricultural Grants for Full Heart Farm in Ledyard & Cloverleigh Farm in Columbia

State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed news that two farms in eastern Connecticut have applied for and received state agricultural grants that will help strengthen farmers who are looking to expand, diversify or improve their existing operations.

Full Heart Farm of Ledyard and Cloverleigh Farm of Columbia were part of a package of 24 farm grants totaling nearly $500,000 in matching state grants announced today by state Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt as part of that department’s Farm Transition Grant program.

“Agriculture is at the heart of everything in eastern Connecticut, and these two small, family owned farms are typical of the commitment that small-scale farmers have had to our region, and to their neighbors, for centuries,” Sen. Osten said. “Fifteen years ago, most of the members of the General Assembly had the foresight to fund several new farmland and historic preservation programs, and we are still reaping those benefits today. It’s just one of the ways that the state legislature is committed to preserving our diverse and beautiful agricultural history on the state, and I’m so happy for Full Heart Farm and Cloverleigh Farm.”

In the “Innovation and Diversification” category, Full Heart Farm of Ledyard has been awarded a matching state grant for construction of a multi-purpose building and commercial kitchen. Full Heart Farm is a small, family farm in Ledyard that grows over 250 varieties of vegetables, herbs and cut flowers. Its produce feeds local restaurants, and through its FarmShare Program, members purchase a share of the harvest for the season and in exchange receive a selection of fresh vegetables each week.

In the “Infrastructure Investment” category, Cloverleigh Farm of Columbia has been awarded a grant to construct a propagation greenhouse. Cloverleigh Farm is a small, diverse, certified organic vegetable business that grows fresh and flavorful produce for eastern Connecticut.

The Farm Transition Grant Program is a competitive matching grant program with state funding provided through a public act passed 16 years ago, in 2005, titled “An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation.” State grant funds are reimbursed to the farm after its project is successfully completed, and a final financial and written report outlining all expenses and tasks associated with the project has been received and approved, and site inspection by agency staff is conducted.

Connecticut is home to more than 5,500 farms contributing more than $4 billion to the state’s economy.

Senator Matt Lesser Thrilled Rocky Hill Business Receives Doag’s Farm Transistion Grant

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) is releasing a statement after a local business in Rocky Hill, a town that Senator Lesser represents, was awarded one of DOAG’s Farm Transition Grants this year. This year, considerable effort was put forth to restructure the Farm Transition Grants in to best reflect and support agriculture in Connecticut.

“I’m thrilled to see the Connecticut Department of Agriculture continue to support our local farms including Fair Weather right here in Rocky Hill,” said Sen. Lesser.

Fair Weather Growers LLC is being awarded a grant in the Innovation and Diversification category to construct a green bean mobile packing line. This is one of 24 grants being awarded from the Farm Transition Grant Program, totaling $497,382. These grants are used to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives seeking to expand, diversify, and improve their existing operation.

Connecticut is home to more than 5,500 farms contributing more than $4 billion to the state’s economy. The 2021 FTG was revised to address the needs and better respond to known gap within the industry. As a result, four new grant categories were developed:

New Farmer Microgrant

Infrastructure Investment Grant

Research and Development Grant

Innovation and Diversification Grant

Fair Weather Growers LLC produces over 200 varieties of vegetables and grow a wide variety of flowers and bedding plants. The farm stand is open eight months of the year and offers a wide variety of seasonal décor, flowers, local baked goods, produce, and more.