Senator Honig Celebrates State Grants for Three Farms in Northwest Connecticut

Senator Paul Honig, D-Harwinton, today celebrated the state Department of Agriculture’s announcement of Farm Transition Grants for three farms in his district, totaling more than $11,600. The grants to farms in Granby, Harwinton, and New Hartford are part of a statewide distribution of over half a million dollars to 43 farms across Connecticut.

“Farms in Granby, Harwinton, and New Hartford are doing important work to strengthen our local food systems and it’s essential the state of Connecticut provides them with the support they need to keep their operations thriving,” Sen. Honig said. “These grants will help them expand their capacity and continue serving northwest Connecticut families and I’m grateful to the Department of Agriculture for recognizing the value of these operations.”

Today’s grants include:

• $4,660 for Mailman’s Meadows in Granby to install a solar powered electric fence, gates, and pass-throughs to implement rotational grazing for their sheep.
• $3,700 for Graces Farm in New Hartford to build a livestock shelter, increasing their capacity to raise grass fed beef.
• $3,265 for Salinas Farm in Harwinton to build a wether shelter to increase their capacity for meat goat production.

“Connecticut farms are innovative and entrepreneurial – the growing interest in the Farm Transition Grant demonstrates that – and I’m particularly thrilled to see new and beginning farmer applicant numbers expand,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “The awarded projects highlight the diversity of Connecticut’s farms – from mushrooms and maple to cut flowers and dairy, along with poultry, livestock, fruits, vegetables, and aquaculture. These investments provide newer farm operations the means to jump to the next level and support existing businesses as they seek to improve efficiencies or venture into new areas.”

The Farm Transition Grant program is highly competitive, with applications scored by a review panel seeking projects that diversify farm businesses, expand value-added production, and improve efficiency. The funded projects represent a combined investment of $1.29 million, injecting innovation and resilience into Connecticut’s farms and fueling the state’s economy.

Of the awarded funds, $259,038 will support 13 farms with infrastructure investment, $111,669 to three farms for innovation and diversification, $106,345 to uplift 25 new and beginning farms, and $33,505 to two farms for research and development of new products. Nearly 80% of awards went to beginning farmers, with additional support for veterans, socially disadvantaged, and BIPOC farmers.

Since 2019, the Lamont administration has awarded more than $3.87 million through the Farm Transition Grant program, underscoring its commitment to sustainable, climate-smart agriculture and local food systems.