Jul

Made in Connecticut Expo Seeks Farm Vendors for August 10-11

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Made in Connecticut Expo Seeks Farm Vendors for August 10-11

MADE IN CONNECTICUT EXPO SEEKS FARM VENDORS

The 2024 Made in Connecticut Expo bringing you twice as many vendors from last year with over 300 amazing small businesses all from right here in Connecticut, in every category and industry imaginable. All businesses are divided into its representative county at the event including food companies, farms, drink companies, handcrafted products, manufacturers, apparel and fashion designers, artists and artisans, farm producers, local authors doing book signings, health and beauty product companies, pet companies, top local gourmet food trucks, furniture makers, upcyclers and so much more!Made in Connecticut Expo has partnered up with Connecticut Food Truck Festivals to bring you a one of a kind Food Truck event combined with samplings of local breweries and wineries from around the state as well. We will also have a full bar at this year’s event offering Wine, beer, and frozen drinks for your enjoyment. This is the Largest Expo dedicated to Connecticut Entrepreneurship in State History! Please come and support local businesses and new entrepreneurs large and small producing goods, creating jobs and supporting the local economy right here in our home, The Great State of Connecticut!!! LOCATION Berlin Fairgrounds, 06037

We are offering all Farms in the State a special 50% discount to attend this years event. Regular price $195 for the weekend, now only $92!!! August 10th & 11th 9-5.

You can apply online by visiting ctspecialtyevents.com.

Jul

Solid Ground, a Program of UConn Extension, offers Land Evaluation and Farmland Access, Vernon CT

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Solid Ground, a Program of UConn Extension, offers Land Evaluation and Farmland Access, Vernon CT

Date: Sunday, September 8th
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Gunther Farm, 24 Hyde Ave. Vernon, CT

Date: Sunday, September 15th
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Off Center Farm, 48 Center Rd. Woodbridge, CT and Beets and Blooms Farm, 6 Oakum Dock Rd, Cobalt, CT

Description of Skill Share: For folks that are still looking for land, whether to lease or purchase. Learn how to evaluate potential properties for agricultural use. Explore three different properties with Solid Ground soil, conservation, and land use consultant Kip Kolesinskas. We will evaluate the major soil properties to consider for different types of agriculture, evaluate the location and condition of existing infrastructure, including potential water sources, impact of wetlands, neighbors and wildlife, land restoration, topography, and local microclimates. Learn how to use the Web Soil Survey and other Connecticut and municipal maps as tools in the process, and where to find information on a property’s history, town zoning ag restrictions, setbacks, and more.

Jul

Solid Ground, A Program of UConn Extension Offers Hemp for Fiber Production Griswold, CT

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Solid Ground, A Program of UConn Extension Offers Hemp for Fiber Production Griswold, CT

Hemp for Fiber Production

3 Meet Ups at Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Griswold Research Center
190 Sheldon Road, Griswold, CT, 06351

Date: Saturday August 31
Time: 10am-12pm

Date: Saturday, September 30
Time: 10am-12pm

Description of Skill Share: Go through a season of growing hemp with this skill share as you meet up multiple times during the growing season to observe and discuss the processes of seeding, harvesting, and processing hemp for fiber production. If you are looking to add this into your growing operation as a product, or if you already grow it, but haven’t grown it with hemp fiber mind, this is the skill share for you.

Jul

Aug 23: Solid Ground, a Program of UConn Extension Offers Poultry Processing Skills Share Vernon, CT

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Aug 23: Solid Ground, a Program of UConn Extension Offers Poultry Processing Skills Share Vernon, CT

UPCOMING SKILL SHARES

Poultry Processing Skill ShareDate: Friday, August 23rd
Time:11am-1pm
Location: Tolland Ag Center, 24 Hyde Ave. Vernon, CT

Description of Skill Share: Join a group of farmers as we visit two farm operations that are processing poultry in-house for their customer base, and a session with UConn Extension’s Food Safety Educator to understand what is entailed in processing poultry on your farm. We will cover regulations, infrastructure and equipment needed, different processing systems, and address common questions like “when does it become worth it to process on farm rather then send it to a facility?”
Please Note: This skill share is catering toward those who want to poultry processing as a business enterprise. If you aren’t seriously interested in poultry processing as a business enterprise, please do not sign up.

Jul

Aug 15: UConn Extension Offers Biological Control Conference for Ornamental Growers New Haven

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Aug 15: UConn Extension Offers Biological Control Conference for Ornamental Growers New Haven

UCONN EXTENSION OFFERS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL CONFERENCE FOR ORNAMENTAL GROWERS

When: Thursday, August 15, 2024

Where: Jones Auditorium at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven CT

Featuring:

Suzanne Wainwright Evans (Buglady Consulting) who will be speaking on The Latest on the World of Pest Management and Not all Thrips are Western Flower Thrips
John Sanderson (Cornell University) who will be speaking on Troubleshooting Your Biocontrol Program
Carlos Bogran (OHP) who will be speaking on Fungal Bioinsecticides as Tools to Manage Insect & Mite Pests of Greenhouse Crops
Lindsay Curran (Prides Corner Farms) who will be speaking on Real World Use of Beneficials

Five pesticide credits have been requested for this program.

Registration is $50 per person and includes boxed lunch. Online registration will end on August 8^th.

See the Conference webpage for specifics on the schedule and registration information.

If you have questions about registration or refunds, please contact Mayra Toro Herrera at Mayra.toroh@uconn.edu

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Leanne Pundt at leanne.pundt@uconn.edu

Jul

Aug 1: UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facility to host FREE Vegetable IPM Field Workshop

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Aug 1: UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facility to host FREE Vegetable IPM Field Workshop in Storrs, CT

VEGETABLE IPM FIELD WORKSHOP

Thursday, August 1, 2024, Rain or shine
3 – 6 pm
UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facility
59 Agronomy Road, Storrs CT

Join UConn Extension Faculty at the Plant Science Research Farm to learn about important vegetable pests and management options.

Presentation topics include:

UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab updates
Bacterial vegetable diseases
Management of fungal plant diseases
Cole crop caterpillar scouting hands-on training
Climate adaptation tools for vegetable growers
Pesticide safety program updates

There is no cost to attend this workshop but registration by July 30 is required. Seating is limited – reserve your spot today!

Complimentary light dinner at the end
2.5 Pesticide recertification credits in PA and 1A categories- pending approval
Questions can be e-mailed to ana.legrand@uconn.edu or leave a message at 860-486-0572.

If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact organizer at above e-mail or phone number by July 26, 2024.

Jul

New One-On-One Business Support from CT DOAG through 3 Partner Organizations

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New One-On-One Business Support from CT DOAG through 3 Partner Organizations

New One-on-One Support Available to Connecticut’s Agriculture Industry

CT DoAg Contracts with Three Partner Organizations Utilizing USDA Funds for Business and Market Development

Connecticut’s agriculture industry, including producers, food businesses, and non-profits sourcing CT Grown farm products, now have access to new one-on-one business technical assistance and grant coaching. Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is utilizing funds available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Resilient Food System Infrastructure Grant Program (RFSI) to contract with three separate entities to provide an array of services, including but not limited to, market diversification and development, supply chain coordination, and business and financial planning.

“Offering these services is critical to supporting Connecticut’s agricultural community to ensure they have the tools and resources available improve the state’s food supply chain, build strong businesses, and increase the resiliency of our food system,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “By supporting supply chain coordination and technical assistance in processing, aggregation, and distribution, we are striving to increase access to expanded and improved markets for farmers.”

The three entities are CT Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Carrot Project, and New England Farmers of Color Land Trust (NEFOC). Each will have specific areas of assistance for program participants as follows:

CT SBDC

Business advising and planning
Grant writing assistance prior to application submissions, focused on DoAg programs
Supporting farm/food system businesses more broadly by providing access to all appropriate CTSBDC services, including:
- Advising in business and product strategy, access to financing, financial management, accessing markets and customers, and other areas as needed
- Providing in-depth assistance to those who are more specifically looking for assistance on the market side of their business (i.e. getting into new markets, creating value added products, assisting producers with a marketing strategy, etc.)
- Leveraging CTSBDC’s proprietary and licensed business management tools and databases
- Assisting clients in strategies to diversify their products and market outlets
- Providing access to CTSBDC’s Business Financial Literacy and Credit Counselling and Immigrant Entrepreneur Assistance programs

To get started, complete the CT SBDC intake form.

Carrot Project

Access to capital, grant and loan readiness
1:1 business technical assistance, training and resource to improve business decision-making and strengthen financial positions

To get started, email jcole@thecarrotproject.org

Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust

Supporting BIPOC producers and agricultural organizations who seek holistic technical assistance

To get started, email gaby@nefoclandtrust.org

Agricultural producers or agribusinesses interested in working with any of the above organizations are welcome to contact them directly or reach out to Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov, 860-895-3094.

Through the agreement with USDA, Connecticut has more than $2.1 million available in competitive grant funding for projects designed to building resilience across the middle of the supply chain. The RFSI grant program will open the second round of funding in February 2025. For more information on the program, please visit the website: https://portal.ct.gov/doag/adarc/adarc/grants/resilient-food-systems-infrastructure-program.

Jun

Webinar July 10: CT Milk Promotion Board: Dairy’s Future is Bright with Corey Geiger

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Webinar July 10: CT Milk Promotion Board: Dairy’s Future is Bright with Corey Geiger

UPCOMING WEBINAR PRESENTED BY THE CONNECTICUT MILK PROMOTION BOARD: DAIRY’S FUTURE IS BRIGHT WITH COREY GEIGER

A webinar hosted by the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board, “Dairy’s Future is Bright” on Wednesday, July 10 at 3 p.m., this webinar features Corey Geiger, lead economist for dairy production and processing at CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange research division.With a wealth of experience in the dairy industry, Geiger brings unparalleled expertise to the table. Formerly the managing editor of Hoard’s Dairyman magazine, he spearheaded editorial efforts across multiple language editions and played a pivotal role in shaping the industry. Geiger’s diverse background encompasses policymaking, international trade, and Federal Milk Marketing Orders, positioning him as a thought leader in the industry.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from Geiger’s extensive dairy knowledge. From navigating market trends to exploring sustainability initiatives, this webinar promises to shed light on the bright future of dairy.

Jun

Largest Dairy Farm in Northeast U.S. Powers Sustainability with Innovative Solar Energy Installation from Maxeon

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Largest Dairy Farm in Northeast U.S. Powers Sustainability with Innovative Solar Energy Installation from Maxeon

Oakridge Dairy in Connecticut is home to nearly 3,000 cows and includes a massive, 8-acre barn topped with 752 solar panels capable of generating up to 1,200 kilowatt hours of energy per day. System designer and installer Earthlight Technologies optimized the system’s power generation with Maxeon high efficiency solar panels that enable clean energy to meet Oakridge’s significant electricity needs.

Berkshire – Taconic Grazing Workshop with Sarah Flack July 15-16

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Berkshire – Taconic Grazing Workshop with Sarah Flack July 15-16

BERKSHIRE-TACONIC GRAZING TOUR: JULY 15/16

This grazing workshop aims to educate grazing land managers and new graziers about sustainable grazing techniques, demonstrate different approaches to climate-smart grazing, and identify opportunities to improve grazing practices. We also hope that this workshop is a place for graziers to connect with each other and with conservation technicians to create ongoing grazing education support networks.

Monday, July 15th will feature grass-based and organic livestock production consultant Sarah Flack, providing a Sustainable Grazing Management workshop at Gould Farm in Monterey, MA, followed by guided pasture walks at Gould Farm and at The Farm in New Marlborough, MA. As the workshop concludes for the day, we invite you to stay and join us for a networking dinner BBQ at The Farm in New Marlborough, MA, featuring their meats, local side dishes and beverages.

On Tuesday, July 16th Sarah Flack will guide a tour to 3 grass-fed livestock farms across the Taconic region of NY:

Chaseholm Farm, Pine Plains, NY

Kinderhook Farm, Valatie, NY

Harrier Fields Farm, Schodack Landing, NY

Lunch, coffee & snacks will be provided on both days, along with the post-workshop networking dinner on July 15th. Registration is $35, or $15 for limited resource and BIPOC farmers. Learn more here: https://berkshiregrown.org/workshops/