The Connecticut Department of Agriculture recently announced its latest distribution of agricultural enhancement grants released to 21 different projects across the state, including the release of $49,999 to Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development in Haddam. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) welcomed the funding in his district, which will allow for direct aid supporting veteran farmers and veterans interested in agriculture careers.

“I’m so glad our communities and our state will benefit from local veteran farmers and prospective farmers’ fresh produce in years to come through this grant,” said Sen. Needleman. “These funds will directly support current and future farmers who served our country and will increase local agricultural offerings so families throughout Connecticut can eat fresh and healthy.”

The $49,999 grant is a contract with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to conduct one-on-one consultations with prospective Connecticut veterans interested in agriculture and consultations to current farming veterans looking to expand operations or enhance offerings.

It will provide stipends to assist 20 veterans in moving forward with registering farm businesses and obtaining Farm Tax Exemption permits. It will also support the coordination and provision of one-on-one grant writing assistance.

More than $500,000 in grant funding was released through the program in this allocation, with funds supporting youth agricultural education, farmers’ market promotion, food supply chains and urban agriculture. The program as a whole is designed to improve agricultural viability in the state.