Joan Hartley

Sen. Hartley and Rep. Napoli Applaud Waterbury Business Receiving Farm Transition Grant

State Senator Joan Hartley and State Representative Ronald Napoli Jr., members of the Waterbury legislative delegation, applauded the awarding of a grant from the state Department of Agriculture’s Farm Transition Grant Program to a local business in Waterbury. The matching grant program is aimed at the strengthening the economic viability of farmers and agricultural cooperatives in Connecticut looking to expand and diversify their operations. Over 5,500 farms reside in Connecticut and they collectively contribute more than $4 billion to the state’s economy.

Micro2Life, LLC of Waterbury was awarded a grant in the New Farmer Microgrant category for equipment to hydroponically grow leafy greens. Micro2Life, LLC is centered around a mission of educating and supplying organic microgreens and vegetables to the local community.

“The long-term growth of Connecticut’s farmers and agriculture businesses yields benefits for the entire local region from creating job opportunities to supplying nutritious food to residents. These grants are a welcome support in achieving these benefits,” said, Sen. Hartley and Rep. Napoli. “We thank the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for their continual support of local farms and agriculture producers in the state.”

This grant was one of 24 grants totaling over $490,000 to be distributed from the Farm Transition Grant Program to agriculture producers across Connecticut.

This year’s grant program was restructured to improve its response to gaps in the agricultural industry and better support Connecticut’s agriculture producers during all stages of their businesses. This year’s restructuring led to the creation of four new grant categories, including the New Farmer Microgrant. More information about the Farm Transition Grant Program can be found at www.CTGrown.gov/Grants.