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06
Mar

Dairy Farm webinar: What Consumers Mean by “Sustainable” and Why Your Story Matters April 21, 10-11 am

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Dairy Farm webinar: What Consumers Mean by “Sustainable” and Why Your Story Matters April 21, 10-11 am

This session will be held on April 21 from 10-11 am via Zoom and will focus on consumer insights into sustainability and what factors are currently driving purchasing decisions for dairy products.

Farmers often assume that “sustainability” equals climate, but consumer research shows that buyers think of sustainability more broadly, including cow care, farm succession and transition planning, responsible land stewardship, and community care. Consumers want to understand what farmers value, how they care for their animals and land, and what sustainability means to them personally.

In this training, we’ll:

  • Break down what consumers mean by sustainability and how it influences their dairy purchasing decisions.
  • Explain why farmers are trusted, authentic voices and discuss the power of personal storytelling to build trust and connection with consumers.
  • Provide practical messaging tips and examples to help you talk about the aspects of sustainability that matter most to your audience.

By the end of this training, you’ll have tools and talking points to confidently share your sustainability story in a way that resonates with consumers and helps build trust in dairy farming. These insights are rooted in consumer research showing that sustainability perceptions are broader than environmental metrics alone and that storytelling is essential for consumer connection.

Funding for this project is provided by the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board.

Learn more and register at: https://ctdairy.org/Training
06
Mar

CT DoAG Specialty Crop Block Grant Opportunity- Applications due by March 16, 2026

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CT DoAG Specialty Crop Block Grant Opportunity- Applications due by March 16, 2026

Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announced that it will accept applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program until 4:00 pm. EST on Monday, March 16, 2026. CT DoAg encourages prospective applicants to review the informational webinar recording now available online.

CT DoAg leverages USDA funds to award Specialty Crop Block Grants to eligible Connecticut entities annually through a competitive process. Such entities may apply for a maximum of $100,000 for research, marketing, training, and education proposals which benefit more than one specialty crop business, individual, or organization.

The following funding priorities have been identified for 2026 through an online feedback form with input from statewide specialty crop stakeholders. The program’s funding priorities are:

  • Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer
  • Market Development and Consumer Engagement
  • Specialty Crop Producer Education, Development, and Networks
  • Integrated Technical Assistance and Capacity Building for Ag Viability
  • Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
CT DoAg’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program awards funds to enhance the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops, including fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, herbs and spices, medicinal plants, honey, hops, maple syrup, mushrooms, nursery crops (including Christmas trees), and floriculture.

Those interested in applying for the grant program should visit the Specialty Crop Block program website for additional details. All applications must be submitted online. Grant awards are contingent upon USDA’s approval of federal funding.

For more information on this and other grants, visit the CT DoAg grant website

31
Jan

UConn Extension 2026 FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course March 23 and 24

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UConn Extension 2026 FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course March 23 and 24

2026 FSMA PRODUCE SAFETY RULE/PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE APPROVED GROWER TRAINING COURSE
A PSA Grower Training Course is presently scheduled for March 2026. Registration is first come, first served, so please register early.
Dates: March 23 and 24; March 25, Snow Date
Time: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location:
Tolland County Extension Center
24 Hyde Avenue, Vernon, CT 06066
Registration Deadline: Monday, February 23
Space is limited to 30 participants.

REGISTRATION:
Course fees are $65. The preferred method of registration/payment is through UConn Marketplace, paying with a credit card. Please include both a work and cell/home phone number and regularly used email address in case of emergency or cancellation.
ONLINE REGISTRATION is PREFERRED
Please go https://s.uconn.edu/fsma to register, including your phone number and regularly used email address in case of emergency or cancellation.  If you must register by mail, please use the form on the second page of this document.

If you have any issues enrolling, please contact Tolland County Extension at 860-875-3331 or tolland@uconn.edu

Instructors:

  • Dr. Indu Upadhyaya, Ph.D., Food Safety Specialist, UConn Cooperative Extension
  • Ms. Jacqueline Kowalski, Urban Agriculture Specialist, UConn Cooperative Extension
  • Ms. Lisa McKeag, Extension Educator, UMass Extension Vegetable Program
  • Ms. Kate Nelson, Agriculture Marketing and Inspection Supervisor, CT Department of Agriculture

Course Summary:
The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course has been designed to provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices knowledge that includes emphasis on co-management of food safety and environmental management goals, while outlining the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’

To obtain a certificate that provides evidence of compliance with the training requirements of the rule, you must be present for the entire two-day course, so do not make plans for the snow date!

For additional information, questions regarding this course, or if you are an individual with a disability and need accommodations, please contact Indu Upadhyaya at indu.upadhyaya@uconn.edu or call her at 860-786-8191 as early as possible prior to the event to help us ensure availability. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the University to arrange. A good faith effort will be made to provide accommodations up until the time of the workshop

For more information on produce safety trainings, visit https://foodsafety.uconn.edu/produce-safety-gap-education/
Register at:
31
Jan

UConn Extension Spring Bedding Plant Workshop for Commercial Greenhouse Growers Feb. 11

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UConn Extension Spring Bedding Plant Workshop for Commercial Greenhouse Growers Feb. 11

UCONN SPRING BEDDING PLANT WORKSHOP
Description: Join us for the 2026 UConn Spring Bedding Plant Workshop in New Haven, CT. This workshop is for commercial greenhouse growers of bedding plants and herbs. There will be speakers discussing the latest techniques for management of insects and diseases, improving water quality, and crop nutrition. The speakers are experts from universities and companies in New England and Pennsylvania.

There have been three pesticide recertification credits approved for this program from Connecticut and New England states (categories PA, 1A, and 3C) and 1.75 credits approved from NY (1A, 3A, 24, 25).

Registration includes coffee/light breakfast and lunch, generously sponsored by BioWorks and Gowan USA.

Date: February 11, 2025. 8:30 am to 2:15 pm

Location: The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Jones Auditorium. 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT 06511.

Payment: $55 – Pay with check upon arrival or online at UConn Marketplace. Make checks payable to: UConn Extension (please RSVP if paying by check).
Register today

 

31
Jan

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures FREE Virtual Workshop Using POS Data to Increase Farmers Market Sales Feb.11

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Berkshire Agricultural Ventures FREE Virtual Workshop Using POS Data to Increase Farmers Market Sales Feb.11

Using POS Data to Increase Farmers Market Sales

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures is excited to invite you to a free virtual workshop for farmers and market managers interested in using Point of Sale (POS) data to increase daily sales and make more informed decisions at farmers markets.

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
⏰ Time: 1:00–2:30pm
📍 Location: Zoom

Using POS Systems to Inform Market Practices
Farms often have limited hours at farmers markets- but there are real opportunities to increase profitability by increasing customer spending during that time. This workshop will explore how POS tools like Square can be used to collect and analyze customer transaction data, and how those insights can inform smarter market strategies.

Presenter Matt LeRoux of Cornell University will share findings from a multi-year farmers market study in New York, including practical takeaways for farms selling produce, meat, or other farm products.
You’ll learn about:

  • What POS data can (and can’t) tell you about customer behavior
  • Key findings from statistical analysis of farmers market transactions
  • How data insights can help increase average sales per customer
  • Practical implications for booth setup, pricing, and product mix

About the Presenter
Matt LeRoux is an Extension Associate with the Cornell Agriculture Marketing Research Program and has over 20 years of experience supporting farms through Cornell Cooperative Extension, nonprofits, and consulting. His work focuses on market strategy for produce and livestock farms and food businesses.
This workshop is free and open to farmers, market managers, and service providers. Please feel free to share widely.

Questions?
Contact Jake Levin, Local Food Systems Program Manager
jake@berkshireagventures.org

 

31
Jan

The Women’s Business Development Council Ignite Grant Applications due March 18, 2026

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The Women’s Business Development Council Ignite Grant Applications due March 18, 2026

The Women’s Business Development Council offers grants of up to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut.
Ignite is designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability.
The grant funds cannot be used towards operating expenses (e.g. inventory, marketing expenses, salaries), real estate improvements (e.g. construction costs), reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment.
Applicants are required to have invested at least $2,500 into their business in the last 12 months, unless located in a distressed municipality.
Please be aware: there is no need to pay a consultant to prepare your grant application for you. If you have questions on the application, please email Microgrants@ctwbdc.org and WBDC will answer your questions at no cost. We also offer free one-on-one advising. After attending an information session, you may schedule an appointment by contacting info@ctwbdc.org. Grant funds cannot be used to pay a consultant to prepare your application.
The next application cycle will open February 3rd and close March 18th at 11:59 p.m.
This is a competitive process and WBDC may not be able to fund all applicants.
Learn more here:
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