Rep. Vail supports Veterans-to-Agriculture program

HARTFORD — The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at improving veterans’ transition into civilian life by establishing a new agricultural program and encouraging entrepreneurship in a difficult business climate.

Rep. Kurt Vail, a co-sponsor of the legislation which passed unanimously, said the tax incentives for veterans hoping to launch agribusinesses would greatly benefit the local economy in Somers and Stafford. The proposal also requires the state Department of Agriculture to work with the departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Labor to provide guidance, education and training for farming or agricultural operations.

“The men and women who serve this country deserve the opportunity to settle into a civilian lifestyle that allows them to provide for their families,” Vail said. “My hope is that this bill will encourage more veterans to build on our long history of Yankee ingenuity, take on skilled agribusiness and succeed in our state. This will be a unique program and I’m glad to see it is gaining support.”

The program, if approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, will be open to veterans who have never engaged in agricultural production or to those who have been involved in agricultural production for less than two years.