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CT Dept of Agriculture Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grants

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CT Dept of Agriculture Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grants

Equipment Only Grants due April 9

Infrastructure Grants Due April 16

Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announces the guidance release and application period opening for the second round of Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build and establish resilience in the middle of the food supply chain; to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses; to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, and fair wages; and create new and safe job opportunities.

“Strategic investments in the middle of the food supply chain are critical for creating a reliable flow of goods from farm to table,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Farmers, consumers, and local economies all stand to benefit. A robust and efficient food supply chain contributes to more resilient economies, expanded agricultural production, and a healthier community.”

Two funding opportunities exist – the Equipment Only Grant Program and the Infrastructure Grant Program. Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.

Equipment Only Grant Program
The Equipment Only grant will fund only special purpose equipment purchases (and not associated facility upgrades, staffing, or other costs) to meet the goals of the RFSI program. Special purpose equipment is defined by the USDA as tangible, nonexpendable, personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost that equals or exceeds $5,000 per unit. Items under $5,000 per unit are considered supplies and not eligible for this grant.

  • Awards from $100,000 to $250,000
  • No Match Required
  • Projects may benefit a single entity or multiple producers/organizations.
  • Deadline to apply: April 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST

Infrastructure Grant Program
Infrastructure Grants will fund projects impacting more than one producer or organization that expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted agricultural products.

  • Awards from $100,000 to $250,000
  • Match Requirement: 50%, or 25% for qualifying applicants
  • Projects must benefit more than one producer or organization.
  • Deadline to apply: April 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST

Examples of acceptable projects related to the funding priorities are available in the grant guidance. Additional details on match requirements and eligible expenses can be found in the guidance document. All applications must be submitted electronically via the “Apply” tab on the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage.

Applications will be accepted from eligible entities including agricultural producers or processors, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, local government entities, tribal governments, and institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals.

Questions regarding the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program can be directed to Cyrena Thibodeau at Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov.

RFSI is federally funding through the United States Department of Agriculture authorized by section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117— 2), as amended, and administered by the CT Department of Agriculture. CT DoAg received $2.1 million in February 2024 to administer the program and in October 2024 awarded over $670,000 to fund three projects in round one. Program awards and funding are subject to USDA review and approval.

Women’s Business Development Council Ignite Grant Applications due

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Women’s Business Development Council Ignite Grant Applications due

WBDC’s Ignite grant provides a groundbreaking opportunity for women-owned businesses in Connecticut. Since 2020, WBDC has awarded grants totaling more than $3.3M to 365 women-owned businesses across every county in the state.

Through the Ignite grant program, we offer cash grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth, and profitability.

A new Ignite application period runs from February 3 through March 10, 2025. Interested in applying? Get started by reviewing the information and resources on the Ignite page of the WBDC website.

WBDC offers a variety of sessions that provide additional support for you in the application process. Information and links to registration are below.

*Please note that if you previously received a WBDC Equity Match Grant or Ignite Grant, you are not eligible for an Ignite Grant.
Click here for more information.

CT Milk Production Board Funding Opportunities due March 31

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CT Milk Production Board Funding Opportunities due March 31

The Connecticut Milk Promotion Board (CTMPB), administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, is pleased to announce up to $700,000 available in funding opportunities for programming in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. These opportunities align with their core focus which includes the vision of increasing purchases and expanding the access of milk and dairy products to consumers, retailers, institutions, and other applicable outlets. The funding is intended to support the CTMPB’s mission to develop, coordinate, and implement promotional, research, and other programs designed to promote Connecticut dairy farms and the consumption of milk and dairy products.

CTMPB has designated up to $700,000 available for two years of programming and expects to award contracts up to $275,000 each for consumer nutrition education and multi-media marketing, and $150,000 for farmer engagement programs.  The media marketing RFQ was released earlier this year to vendors on the state marketing list and responses are currently being reviewed. The funding opportunities currently open are listed below:

  • Consumer Nutrition Education: Partnerships with various types of retail, educational, and professional organizations that will lead to increased dairy consumption.
  • Farmer Engagement: Programs to educate and engage dairy farmers on the utilization of their checkoff dollars.

Eligible applicants can apply for any combination of the above program areas and are not limited to applying for only one.  Qualified entities include businesses, extension agencies, agricultural and non-profit organizations, universities, community colleges, educational institutions, agricultural science schools, research organizations, and contract media vendors. Interested applicants should review each funding guidance document to confirm their eligibility.

Funding is provided through dairy checkoff dollars, established through the national dairy checkoff order.  CGS Sec. 22-authorizes the CTMPB to award grant funds from Connecticut’s portion of checkoff dollars.  All projects should be conducted in accordance with the national dairy checkoff order, which can be found at: httpst//www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/dairy.

Additional details on the dairy grant funding opportunities can be found on www.CTGrown.gov. For more information on Connecticut Milk Promotion Board and Connecticut Dairy, visit CTDairy.org.

NMFFPC Special Meeting Wednesday, FEB 26 at 6 PM regarding town Farming Regulation Revisions

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NMFFPC Special Meeting Wednesday, February 26 at 6 PM regarding town Farming Regulation Revisions

LINKS TO ALL DOCUMENTS ARE BELOW

Greetings,

As a follow up to our meeting on February 10th, I’ve attached a revised set of regulations.  Per our conversation, there are changes to:

  • Modified definitions to Agritourism, Farm Store. Farm and Working Farm
  • The percent of goods to be sold on farms and farm stores,
  • How special events are allowed/handled
  • Clarified heights for various farm building

I’ve also attached the set of regulations we reviewed on the 10th for comparison’s purpose.  Lastly, I’ve attached the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, noting the earlier start time of 6 PM.

Please email me with any questions.

Steve

DOCUMENT LINKS:

2-26-25 Special Meeting Notice

Pub Mtg Draft 2.10.25

Pub Mtg Draft 2.25.25