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Every year, America loses 1.2 million acres of farmland - an area twice the size of Rhode Island - much of it our best and most productive farmland near where most Americans live. In Connecticut and across the nation, AFT is a vital link between farmers, conservationists and policymakers, working to protect the best farmland, direct growth away from agricultural resources, provide healthy local food to all citizens, and help communities sustain local farms and farming.
What's New
Help us keep agriculture a vital part of Connecticut’s economy and natural beauty, while retaining the family farms that provide healthy, local produce for families throughout the state. To coincide with our 10th anniversary, Working Lands Alliance, a project of American Farmland Trust, is launching a new membership drive and has set a goal to reach at least 300 dues-paying members by summer 2010. Please consider becoming a founding member of Working Lands Alliance—YOUR voice for farmland preservation in Connecticut! Learn about the benefits of WLA membership.
A Northeast grocery chain has become the first retailer to join forces with the New England Dairy Promotion Board and New England Family Dairy Farms Cooperative to bring the concept of “fair trade” milk to consumers. Hannaford's 71 stores will promote the benefits of local dairy farms—including stewardship of the region’s farmland—and offer shoppers an opportunity to directly support dairy farmers through the “Keep Local Farms” dairy campaign. Cris Coffin, American Farmland Trust’s New England Director, is excited by the Hannaford announcement: “Educating shoppers about the value of our region’s dairy farmers will hopefully encourage them to donate to the campaign and help farmers receive a better price for their milk.”
FACT: New England has approximately 1,880 dairy farms; dairy farmers are currently receiving about .97 cents per gallon of milk while it costs about $1.80 a gallon to produce.
Changes to Vermont’s "Current Use" Program—which helps promote the use of land for agriculture and forestry are likely to be considered early in the 2010 legislative session. In response to a challenge by the legislature to find ways to produce $1.6 million in savings or revenues through the program in FY2011, seven statewide farm and conservation organizations developed recommendations that are likely to form the basis for legislation debated this year. Recommendations include increasing the program’s dwelling exclusion for certain landowners, which would raise the needed state revenues.
On November 18,
our voice of farmland preservation in Connecticut, the Working Lands Alliance, welcomed supporters to its 9th Annual Meeting and Luncheon. The luncheon featured a seasonal bisque prepared by Chef Kevin Cottle (runner-up on the tv-reality show, Hell's Kitchen) and a roasted vegetable and pesto dish made with herbs grown by The Sound School students and prepared by Chef Tim Cipriano aka the 'Local Food Dude' of New Haven Public Schools Food Service. Dessert using locally grown apples and milk was prepared by the Local Routes team at University of Connecticut. Two guest speakers—Peter Orr of Fort Hill Farms and Liz MacAlister of Cato Corner Farm— highlighted this year’s topic of Dairy Diversity. Legislator and Pathfinder awards will also be presented.
Legislator awards for outstanding leadership on behalf of farmland preservation policy were presented to Representative Bryan Hurlburt and Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams; Gordon Gibson, CT State Grange, was awarded the Outstanding Individual Pathfinder Award; Eastern Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development, Inc. was awarded the Outstanding Group Pathfinder Award.
Policy Update
A pivotal part of our advocacy work in Connecticut is performed by the Working Lands Alliance (WLA). Established in 2000, WLA is a statewide coalition of farmers, conservationists, anti-hunger groups and municipal leaders working together to increase the state’s commitment to farmland preservation. WLA’s efforts focus on strengthening the state’s commitment to Connecticut’s Farmland Preservation Program and other new agriculture viability programs.
Thanks to efforts by Working Lands Alliance, a major recommitment of funding for the State Farmland Preservation Program was secured when Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams and Governor Jodi Rell agreed to restore bonding levels for the program to $10 million per year through FY 2011. This important move ensures the state’s continued commitment to farmland protection and will allow the state to continue to match increased federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program allocations to Connecticut.
The last of the acclaimed Dinners at the Farm were held over three beautiful nights at Old Maids Farm in South Glastonbury, CT. Working Lands Alliance—a project of American Farmland Trust—was one of only four organizations selected as a beneficiary. At the same time, Good Tastes Kitchen of Newburyport hosted a farm-to-table event at Cider Hill Farm, in Amesbury, MA. Chefs at both events delighted guests with a feast of locally grown products sourced from the host farms and other local producers. The hugely popular dinners are intended to generate awareness of the vitality of the local farming community and the delicious food it provides.
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American Farmland Trust and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities are currently providing technical assistance to help communities plan for agriculture. Six municipalities—Coventry, Durham, Eastford, North Stonington, Preston and Woodbridge—were selected to receive technical assistance to implement one of the strategies discussed in the new Planning for Agriculture: A Guide for Connecticut Municipalities. The towns are focusing on strategies such as: initiating an Agricultural Commission; reviewing farm tax reduction options; encouraging buy local opportunities; including agriculture in town conservation and development plans; and developing right-to-farm ordinances.
Finally, a website to help you find locally grown food and farm products in Connecticut. Visit BuyCTGrown.com to search for local products, sign up for in-season alerts for you favorite fruits and vegetables, reminders about upcoming food and farm events, or delectable seasonal recipes from Connecticut chefs and more. The 2009 membership enrollment packet is now available for farms and other businesses.
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Funding Won for Farmland Preservation
On-Farm Dinners in Connecticut and Massachusetts Celebrate Local Food 
