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What's New
For the next two years, Connecticut will provide $10 million to dairy farmers who are struggling with milk prices that do not cover their costs of production. This needed relief was provided through the state’s Community Investment Act (CIA), which funds state investments in farmland and open space protection, historic preservation and affordable housing. However, now the state’s Farmland Preservation Program will depend almost exclusively on bond funds. Negotiations over the FY 2010-2011 bond package continue, and the Working Lands Alliance is urging the Governor and legislators to provide an additional $12.5 million in bond authority to maintain the state’s current commitment to farmland protection
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.
WLA opposes Governor Rell's proposal to raid $12 million from the Community Investment Account in 2010 and 2011. This will have a devastating impact on farmland preservation funding, state program staffing and efficiency, and will eliminate the popular Agriculture Viability Grants program and many services of the CT-Grown marketing program. WLA urges all coalition members to sign up for Email Updates to receive news about this critical effort to protect the Community Investment Act!
For more information:
Download Community Investment Act [PDF]
Download Town-By-Town investments from Community Investment Act [PDF]
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American Farmland Trust and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities are offering up to 25 hours of technical assistance to help communities plan for agriculture.At least five municipalities will be selected to receive technical assistance to implement one of the strategies discussed in the new Planning for Agriculture: A Guide for Connecticut Municipalities. Possible strategies include, but are not limited to: initiating an Agricultural Commission; reviewing farm tax reduction options; financing options for farmland protection projects; encouraging buy local opportunities; including agriculture in town conservation and development plans; and developing right-to-farm ordinances. Applications are due January 23.
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.
Working Lands Alliance—a project of AFT—has once again been selected as a beneficiary of three nights of the acclaimed Dinners at the Farm series to be held at Old Maid’s Farm in Glastonbury on September 10-12. Last year, for three nights in August, WLA benefited from the event at White Gate Farm in East Lyme, Connecticut. Working Lands Alliance was one of only four organizations selected as a beneficiary of Dinners at the Farm, which has been featured in Time magazine and The New York Times. Chefs Jonathan Rapp and Drew McLachlan delighted more than 140 guests each night with a feast of Connecticut grown products; the hugely popular dinners generate awareness of the vitality of the local farming community and the delicious food it provides.
FederAl Farm Policy and The farm bill: what’s in it for Connecticut?
Energy and environmental policies are a priority for President Obama’s Administration. At the heart of these issues lies American farmland. Agriculture can be part of the solution if the correct policies are enacted. Read our 9 for ’09 policy recommendations and ask President Obama to engage agriculture in these critical issues.
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The Apple as Planet Earth
Do you know how much of the earth is suitable for farming? Watch this short animated presentation and learn why protecting our farmland is so important.
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Connecticut
Dinners at the Farm Celebrate Local Food and Benefit AFT