Town of Killingly Receives Farm Viability Grant from the Department of Agriculture

“We are happy to see that the Town of Killingly has been awarded the Farm Viability Grant from the Department of Agriculture!

Killingly has been awarded this grant in the Food Supply Chain Category, and the funds will be utilized to purchase, and install a blast chiller freezer in the old Killingly High School, according to our Legislative Liaison with the Department of Agriculture. This kitchen will now be used to process local produce and incorporate it into the school lunch program.

These grants are so important to our growing agricultural industry here in Connecticut, and we would like to thank Agricultural Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt, and his staff for their hard work and dedication to agricultural preservation and improvements across Connecticut.”

State Representatives Anne Dauphinais (R-44) and Rick Hayes (R-51)

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCES FARM VIABILITY GRANT RECIPIENTS

$337,000 Awarded to 11 Connecticut Municipalities and Agricultural Non-Profits to Foster, Sustain, Develop, and Promote Local Agriculture

(STATEWIDE) Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt announces that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has awarded 11 grants through the Farm Viability Grant totaling more than $337,000.  Funded projects directly respond to problems, interests, or needs in the state’s agricultural industry, specifically within the areas of urban agriculture; food systems, diversity, equity, and inclusion in Connecticut agriculture; and farmland access.

“The awarded Farm Viability projects directly align with critical needs among Connecticut’s agricultural industry to continue building upon previous work while providing opportunity for growth within targeted areas,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Furthermore, these projects align with our commitment to bolster our food system and increase access to farmland at all stages of farming.”

Eligible entities include Connecticut municipalities, groups of municipalities, regional councils of governments, and agricultural non-profit organizations. Applicants could apply for up to $49,999 in grant funds; with a 40-% match for the total project costs through cash or in-kind services.

The fiscal year 2022 Farm Viability Grant awardees by Question of Focus include:

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

• Huneebee Project, Inc: expansion of youth training and community workshop
• Southwest Conservation District (SWCD): support for underserved BIPOC farmers in the Southwest Conservation District service area

Urban Agriculture:

• Fairgate Farm: home-grown urban agriculture project
• Root2rise: community share event 2022
• Gather New Haven: urban agriculture sustainability

Food Supply Chain:

• Click, Inc.: expanding processing kitchen capacity
• Real Food Share, Inc.: small farm model
• Town of Killingly: local farm viability project
• Nourish Bridgeport, Inc.: non-profit indoor hydroponic farm

Farmland Accessibility:

• Keney Park Sustainability Project: KPSP vacant lot activation program
• Town of Wethersfield, Kycia Farm: Wethersfield conceptual site/land use proposal

Funding for the Farm Viability Grant is provided through the State of Connecticut Agricultural Viability Grant Program, established in 2005 through Public Act 05-228, An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental, and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state’s citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage, and its contribution to the state’s economy. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov.