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2024 New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference with UConn Extension Dec 17-19 NH

2024 New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference with UConn Extension Dec 17-19 NH

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2024 New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference with UConn Extension Dec 17-19 NH

The New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference is one of the premier educational conferences available in our region for vegetable and fruit farmers. The conference is organized by Extension programs in New England and NY, plus the New England Vegetable & Berry Grower’s Association and the Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association. It is held in Manchester NH every two years in December. This year, the 3-day conference will take place from December 17 to December 19.

The conference and trade show cater to commercial farmers who grow for direct to consumer and wholesale customers and include farms large to small. There are 30 educational sessions where extension specialists, academic researchers and farmers will present cutting edge information on the effectiveness of certain production techniques and practices. There are also 14 farmer to farmer sessions where you can learn from other farmers in a moderated peer to peer discussion.

Please note that this conference is not appropriate for gardeners or homesteaders who are not focused on growing crops for sale. However, if you are not yet farming at a commercial scale but hope to do so soon, we encourage you to consider participating. This conference has traditionally had very few socially disadvantaged farmers or speakers in attendance, so it can feel intimidating, overwhelming, isolating and unwelcoming. UConn Extension Solid Ground Program will lead a small group of farmers to attend the conference and trade show as a mutually supportive cohort so that these farmers have access to an important educational opportunity. Priority will be given to first time attendees who can demonstrate that they would not otherwise attend the conference.

Registration, lodging at the hotel and a mileage reimbursement is available for 6 farmers from CT. Farmers may bring an additional person to share their hotel room but that person must pay for their conference registration ($115 before November 30). Meals are not included and each farmer should plan for their own meals. Farmers are expected to attend the entire 3 day conference in support of each other, so please do not apply for this opportunity if you are unable to commit to attending all 3 days.

As of October 7, the full 2024 conference schedule has not been finalized. However, the 2022 conference brochure has been posted at https://newenglandvfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022NEVFCBrochure-1.pdf. You can also review the presentation slides from 2022 at https://newenglandvfc.org/2022-presentations-and-proceedings/ .

If you are interested in becoming a member of this cohort of farmers to attend the conference, please complete all required/starred questions in the application below. Applications will be accepted until November 1 2024. Decisions will be made by November 15 2024.

More information about the conference can be found on the official web site – https://newenglandvfc.org and in this document – https://ipm-cahnr.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3216/2024/09/FU_9_16_24.pdf

Register here.

 

NDBIC Innovation in Dairy Processing and Packaging Grant due October 31.

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Northeast Dairy Business Information Center Innovation in Dairy Processing and Packaging Grant due October 31

This grant offers funding for long-term investments that increase dairy processors’ environmental and economic sustainability.  Projects funded through this grant must address at least one of the following primary goals:

  • Packaging initiatives that prioritize sustainability, scalability, and marketability of packaging solutions for small and mid-sized processors. Packaging projects may address topics such as packaging lifecycle analysis, packaging materials, costs of conversion, supply chain logistics, research and development, packaging design, processor packaging changeovers, and infrastructure upgrades.
  • Novel processing solutions such as innovation in sourcing, product development, alternative production solutions, distribution and supply chain logistics, operations, workforce development or employee welfare, and marketing or consumer experience.
  • Projects that increase collaboration across the dairy sector or increase partnerships between sectors to ensure the greatest number of dairy businesses benefit.

Grants will range from $75,000 to $350,000 with a 25% (cash or in-kind) match commitment required.  Total program funding is $1,500,000.
Open to applicants in 11 Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Applications close on October 31 at 2:00 pm.  
Read the Request for Applications and learn how to apply on our website: https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/dairy-processor-innovation-grant/

Crops, Capital, Counseling Free Online Event Oct. 9

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Crops, Capital, Counseling Free Online Event Oct. 9

This is a free event. Join the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), USDA Farm Service Agency, CT Agriculture and the CT Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) to learn more about opportunities to access capital for small businesses to expand and rebuild rural communities.

Register here.

BCS Tractor Training and Compost Tea Making Field Day Oct 10 Sprague CT

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BCS Tractor Training and Compost Tea Making Field Day Oct 10 Sprague CT

BCS TRACTOR TRAINING & COMPOST TEA MAKING FIELD DAY
Mark your calendars! On October 10, CT RC&D and partners will be hosting an informative field day at Veteran-owned and operated Artza Mendi Farm, covering BCS Tractor Training & Compost Tea Making on the Farm.

The first portion of the day will include a training on how to safely operate a BCS tractor and attachments, followed by networking & refreshments. The second half will include an overview on making compost tea and its importance. Come for either portion or stay for both. Free to attend; all are welcome! Registration required: visit www.bit.ly/BCSCompostTraining to register.

Funding for this project was paid for by the Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant. Funding awarded and administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

Connecticut Grown for Kids 2025 Grants available- applications due in October and November 2024

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Connecticut Grown for Kids 2025 Grants available- applications due in October and November 2024

CT GROWN 4 CT KIDS APPLICATIONS DUE OCTOBER 25 AND NOVEMBER 8
The Fiscal Year 2025 Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids (CTG4CTK) Grant program guidance is now available and full grant applications for Track 4 will open on September 20 with applications due on October 25, 2024. Applications for full grants in Tracks 1 and 2 will also open on September 20 with a deadline of November 8, 2024. All grants will open and close at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on their respective dates.

CT DoAg has more than $800,000 available this fiscal year to award with approximately $100,000 earmarked for microgrant applications in all tracks. The remainder will be available towards full grant applications (18 or 24-month projects) in Tracks 1, 2, and 4.

Track 1: Farm to School (K-12) Local Procurement Assistance Grant
Track 2: Farm to School (K-12) Experiential Learning Grant
Track 3: Producer Capacity Building Grant *microgrant only award
Track 4: Farm to Early Childcare and Education (ECE) Grant

Eligible applicants include Connecticut local and regional boards of education, regional education centers, cooperative arrangements, childcare centers, group childcare homes and family childcare homes, or any organization or entity administering or assisting in the development of a farm to school program. Entities who received CTG4CTK funds for the two prior grant periods are not eligible to apply this fiscal year. A one-round/year break in funding is required.

For interested parties, a webinar was held on Monday, August 26, 2024, and the recording is now posted online. For more information on the webinar, guidance, application portal, and additional information required to apply, please visit the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program page.  CT DoAg will host regular office hours following the webinar and grant coaching by track will also be available. Available times will be announced during the webinar and posted on the website. To learn more, visit the webpage or contact Hannah Carty at Hannah.Carty@ct.gov or 860-471-1620.

Connecticut farms report strong fall harvest despite localized weather problems

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Connecticut farms report strong fall harvest despite localized weather problems

The Department of Agriculture says, this year’s harvest is reported as much better than last year, which was impacted by flooding in the Connecticut river valley and late frosts.

Read more here.

Logue Farms in Woodbury is Connecticut’s 2024 New England Green Pastures Winner

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Logue Farms in Woodbury is Connecticut’s 2024 New England Green Pastures Winner

Logue Farms, Inc. is the winner of the 2024 New England Green Pastures Award from Connecticut. This dairy farm has been in continuous operation since 1905, with fourth generation as the current operators and 10 children in the fifth generation. David and Debbie Logue own the farm with their sons Michael and James; their daughters Rachel and Sarah are also involved on the farm as well. Debbie and Dave started setting their partnership in motion at Nonnewaug High School where Debbie was the first female FFA president in Woodbury, and they will soon be celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary.

Read full story from UConn Extension here.