CT DOAG Specialty Crop Block Grant Applications due 3/1/2023

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture solicits applications on an annual basis for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, maple syrup, honey, horticulture, and nursery crops.

Projects must impact and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public. There is no minimum award amount, however projects are capped at $100,000. There is no match requirement.

Click here for more information.

UConn Online Vegetable Production Certificate Course Starting Jan. 30, 2023

Vegetable Production Certificate Course, beginning on January 30^th 2023. It is a fully online course for new and beginning farmers who have 0-3 years of vegetable growing experience or no formal training in agriculture. The participants will learn answers to the basic questions about farm business planning, planning and preparing for vegetable farm, warm and cool-season vegetable production techniques, season extension, identification of biotic and abiotic issues, and marketing. The price of the course is $149.

Please contact the course coordinator, Shuresh Ghimire (Shuresh.Ghimire@uconn.edu, 860-870-6933) with any questions about this course.

For more information or to register, click here.

Healing by Growing Farms Northeast Disability and Agriculture Conference Feb.4, 2023 (Snow Date Feb 11)

The Northeast Disability and Agriculture Conference is a first-time regional event
designed to educate and empower the agricultural community. Through
workshops and presentations, farmer attendees will learn how to better advocate
for themselves, and service provider attendees will learn how to identify potential
distress risks within the community. Together attendees will learn how to build a
network sharing skills and resources to improve accessibility and reduce industry
incidents of suicide.

FIRST NORTHEAST DISABILITY AND AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE

The Northeast Disability and Agriculture Conference is a first-time regional event designed to educate and empower the agricultural community. Through workshops and presentations, farmer attendees will learn how to better advocate for themselves, and service provider attendees will learn how to identify potential distress risks within the community. Together attendees will learn how to build a network sharing skills and resources to improve accessibility and reduce industry incidents of suicide.

The conference team is excited to offer a hybrid experience; in-person and limited virtual participation, on February 4, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Harkness Memorial State Park (275 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT).The daylong event includes a Keynote speaker, breakout sessions, group discussion, resources, and meals.

In recognition of the needs of farmers with disabilities, a post conference stipend will be given to the first 50 farmers who identify as having a disability, have registered in advance, and attend the full conference. 

Sign up here to reserve your spot today! Click here.

The event is coordinated by Healing By Growing Farms, a social impact farm community that fosters a holistic healing approach reconnecting predominantly brain injury and trauma survivors to themselves, nature, and the environment while healing through farming. To learn more about our organization please visit us at www.healingbygrowing.com.

Their aim for the conference is to be sensitive and responsive to the needs of farmers, agricultural service providers and the community. They would GREATLY appreciate your feedback to help them design conference content, better identify gaps in disability awareness and needed services for participants by participating in THEIR SURVEY.

For questions, please contact: healingbygrowingconferenceteam@gmail.com.

Connecticut Agricultural Expo 2022 Nov 18 in Southington

Register today!

Connecticut Agricultural Expo 2022 will be held on Friday, November 18th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Aquaturf, 556 Mulberry Street, Southington, CT.

Register today for this ag expo showcasing the latest in ag innovation, farm equipment, tractors, farm implements, seed & crop production products, farm supplies & services.

To register click here.

Event Partners:

• Connecticut Farm Bureau
• Connecticut Department of Agriculture
• Farm Credit East, ACA
• UConn Extension

Registration includes:

• Trade Show
• State-wide Networking
• Buffet Lunch
• Connecticut Beer and Wine Tasting
• Taste of Connecticut
• Pesticide CEU Credits

Pesticide CEU Credits

• 10:30 am – 11:30 am- Soil-Biodegradable Plastic Mulch for Specialty Crop Production, Shuresh Ghimire, PhD, UConn Extension
• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Integrated Pest Management for Fruit Growers, Mary Concklin, Educator, UConn Extension

Ticket Pricing

• CFBA Standard and Limited members: $55
• Non-members – $65
• Non-members can receive $5 off per ticket by purchasing before November 4th or by registering 3 or more attendees

For more information or questions call 860-768-1100 or email traceym@cfba.org 

Mark your calendars! CT NOFA’s 41st annual winter conference is returning to Connecticut in March.

This will be a hybrid conference, with a week of virtual workshops (ranging from advanced information for professional farmers to everyday-know-how for homesteaders and gardeners) followed by a live, in-person gathering for NOFA members and organic advocates to socialize, celebrate, and network.

More information, registration links, and full workshop schedule coming soon.