Mae Flexer

Sen. Flexer Welcomes Agriculture Grants for Mansfield, Brooklyn Farms

HARTFORD – State Senator Mae Flexer and state Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt announced today that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has awarded funds for 33 projects – including projects in Mansfield and Brooklyn – totaling $516,000 to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut farmers and of agricultural cooperatives that are seeking to expand, diversify, or improve their existing operation.

There are more than 5,500 farms in the state contributing more than $4 billion to our economy.

“We spend a lot of time thinking about helping brick-and-mortar businesses in Connecticut, but our farm and farmers are just as important, and they help maintain the beauty and quality of life that we enjoy here in the northeastern part of the state. These grants will help keep some regional farms competitive and productive for years to come,” Sen. Flexer said. “I’m glad Connecticut had the foresight to create this program, and the wisdom to continue funding it.”

Some of the eastern Connecticut projects announced today include:

• Mountain Dairy, Storrs: Installation of 500-gallon pasteurizer and walk-in freezer to expand product line to include cream-line milk, buttermilk, sour cream, and yogurt
• Cobblestone Farm, Mansfield Center: Build a heated propagation greenhouse for seedling production
• Daigle Farm, Brooklyn: Purchase a high tunnel/winter production greenhouse

The Farm Transition Grant Program was created in 2005 by former Senate President Donald E. Williams. Jr. of Thompson, and was passed in the legislature on a unanimous and bipartisan basis. Ongoing funding for this competitive, matching grant program is provided through Public Act 05-228, “An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation.” Grant funds are reimbursed to the farm after the project is successfully completed, a final financial and written report outlining all of the expenses and tasks associated with the project have been received and approved, and a site inspection by agency staff is conducted.

“Now in our second grant cycle of offering the four Farm Transition Grant categories, we are encouraged by the response with a wider variety of projects seeking funding from a more diverse spectrum of Connecticut producers,” said Commissioner Hurlburt said. “We look forward to sharing success stories from each of these projects in the future to showcase the innovation and growth of agriculture in Connecticut and the positive impacts it has for our state’s economy, job growth, and food production.”