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Solid Ground Offering Several Farmer Trainings for Production Farmers

CT DOAG announces Farm Transition Grant to support diversification and expansion- applications due Jan 10, 2025

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announces the release of Farm Transition Grant program guidance for fiscal year 2025. Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives are eligible to apply with a focus on projects seeking to diversify existing operations or transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales. All applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 10, 2025.

Funding priorities include projects which increase the availability of livestock processing facilities in Connecticut and utilization of equipment specific to climate smart, sustainable agricultural practices. Updates to the grant guidance include:

• Infrastructure Investment maximum award increased from $20,000 to $25,000.
• Innovation and Diversification match requirement decreased from 50% to 25%.
• Applicants of awarded projects who do not possess a current business plan will be required to develop one with CT Small Business Development Center.

The grant categories are summarized below.

• New Farmer Micro Grants:  Up to $5,000 awarded to support new and beginning individuals or partnerships with one full year to three years of production history, seeking long-term careers in the Connecticut agriculture industry. Eligible expenses include production or processing equipment directly related to agriculture, small buildings, irrigation, pasture fencing, equipment purchasing related to increasing production, and marketing expenses including establishing a website.
• Infrastructure Investment Grant:  Up to $25,000 awarded to support farmers in production for a minimum of three years with a need for infrastructure to expand, diversify, and/or transition the farm’s production and operation.
• Research and Development Grant:  Up to $25,000 awarded for farms with a minimum of three years of production history to conduct research to evaluate the viability of developing a new product line, service, or market.
• Innovation and Diversification Grant:  Up to $49,999 awarded for the implementation of a new product or service for market or business expansion after a research and development phase has been explored.

Those interested in applying for Farm Transition Grant are encouraged to attend a virtual workshop on Friday, November 22, 2024, from 10:00-11:30 a.m., via Zoom. This webinar will include an overview of the grant program, application components, and submission process. A recording of the webinar will be posted for those who cannot attend the live session. To register for the webinar, visit this page.

In addition to the virtual workshop, open office hours will be offered virtually providing an opportunity to drop in and ask questions on the following dates:

• Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. via Zoom
• Monday, January 6, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. via Zoom

Questions regarding the Farm Transition Grant can be directed to Alison Grabarz at Alison.Grabarz@ct.gov. Details on the application requirements, submission process, FAQs, and office hours are provided at Farm Transition Grant Program.

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.

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/

American Farmland Trust New England Regenerative Livestock Farming Grant due Nov. 29

Learn more or apply here.

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

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

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Farming in a Changing Climate Event September 18, 2024, MA