All posts in Events

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is now accepting applications for the CT Grown for CT Kids (CTG4CTK) Grant program for projects which develop or enhance Farm to School programs in Connecticut. An additional $2 million is also available for a Shipping Container Grower Grant for projects connected to Farm to School. The application deadline is Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Applications received after 4:00 p.m. will not be considered.

Through a combination of financial and technical assistance, the CTG4CTK grant will help develop farm-to-school programs that will increase the availability of local foods in child nutrition programs, allow educators to use hands-on educational techniques to teach students about nutrition and farm-to-school connections, sustain relationships with local farmers and producers, enrich the educational experience of students, improve the health of children in the state and enhance the state’s economy.

CT DoAg is accepting applications for up to $50,000 in funding for 18-month long projects from eligible entities for projects which align with one of the following grant tracks. Simplified microgrants of less than $5,000 are offered in each of the four tracks as well. CT DoAg has approximately $900,000 in funds to award for CTG4CTK Grant projects in fiscal year 2024.

New this year, Track 5: Shipping Container Grower Grant is for eligible applicants seeking to purchase and install shipping container growing units that will benefit students through contracts with school districts for product grown in the container and/or building educational opportunities for students.  Funding for this was provided by the state American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the 2023 legislative session. Applicants for Track 5 can apply for up to $250,000 for 24-month long projects. All applications will be evaluated through a competitive selection process by an advisory team after an administrative review by CT DoAg.

Eligible applicants include Connecticut local and regional boards of education, regional education centers, cooperative arrangements, childcare centers, group childcare homes and family childcare homes, or any organization or entity administering or assisting in the development of a farm-to-school program. Entities who received CTG4CTK funds for the two prior grant periods are not eligible to apply this year. A one-round break in funding is required.

For interested parties, there will be a webinar including a question-and-answer session on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. This will be recorded and posted on www.CTGrown.gov/grants under the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant tab.  Please visit our webpage to register. The guidance, application portal, and additional information required to apply are available at the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program page.  CT DoAg will host weekly office hours following the webinar and grant coaching by track will also be available.

For more information visit the webpage or contact Cyrena Thibodeau at Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov or 860-895-3094.

Attend the annual UConn Extension Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Conference for an educational day of learning, regulations, and updates on the latest trends in vegetable and small fruit production. The event is Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at the UConn Student Union Ballroom, Room 330, Storrs CT. There will be a trade show held in UConn Student Union, Room 304 throughout conference. Pesticide recertification credits: 4 CEU to be confirmed.

Lunch and Parking is included in the registration price. Prior to the day of the conference, you will be sent an event parking link to register for validated parking. You must pre register by January 3, 2024 in order to receive free parking.

Registration will increase to $60.00 after December 20, 2023. Online registration is available through January 3, 2024 at noon. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN AFTER DECEMBER 20.

The full agenda and speaker information is available at: s.uconn.edu/ctvfcprogram

The U.S. Department of Commerce will host a virtual webinar on November 8 at 1:30 pm EST to assist businesses in learning about how to manage PFAS challenges. Learn about new legal requirements being implemented across the United States regarding Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in food and beverage products and packaging. Hear from Lisa Navarro, PhD DABT ERT, with Ramboll, and from CT DEC member, Alfredo Fernandez, Partner at Shipman and Goodwin LLP, about how to prepare your business to comply with the new requirements and manage the many challenges associated with PFAS.

Topics to be addressed:

• What are Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)?
• PFAS challenges in food and beverage products
• Operational PFAS challenges for food and beverage manufacturing facilities
• New bans on PFAS in food and beverage packaging and best practices for assessing packaging supply chains
• International considerations (exports/imports)
• Risk management strategies

For more information, please contact Jacqueline.Torcellini@trade.gov

Register here.