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09
Nov

CT DOAG Farm Transition Grant 2026 Guidelines announced.

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CT DOAG Farm Transition Grant 2026 Guidelines announced.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT DIVERSIFICATION AND
GROWTH OF CT’S AG BUSINESSES

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announced the release of Farm Transition Grant program guidance for fiscal year 2026. 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 Monday, January 12, 2026.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.

Grant applications must fall under one of these categories:

  • New Farmer Micro Grants: Up to $5,000 awarded (25% match required) 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.
  • Infrastructure Investment Grant: Up to $24,999 awarded (50% match requirement) 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 $24,999 awarded (40% match requirement) 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 (25% match requirement) to support farms with a minimum of three years of production history with the production of a new product or service for market or business expansion.

Farm Transition Grant applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual workshop on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.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. Click here to register for the virtual workshop.

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 11, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. via Zoom
  • Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. via Zoom

Applications must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday, January 12, 2026. Applications and grant guidelines are available at CT DoAg’s website. This is a competitive grant process with applications scored by a review panel. Grant awards will be announced in February 2026. Questions regarding the Farm Transition Grant can be directed to Alison Grabarz at Alison.Grabarz@ct.gov.

Farm Transition Grant is authorized by and funded through C.G.S. Section 22-26k to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut’s agricultural businesses in times of growth and change.
Farm Transition Grant
Apply Here
25
Oct

UConn Extension Climate Smart Adaptation Strategies for Beginning Farmers Courses start dates of December 1 or February 4

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UConn Extension Climate Smart Adaptation Strategies for Beginning Farmers Courses start dates of December 1 or February 4

Take a look at the course modules below!

  1. Intro to Climate Smart Farming*
  2. Climate Smart Soil Health part 1*
  3. Climate Smart Soil Health part 2*
  4. On-Farm Composting
  5. Creating Microclimates Using Fabrics and Mulches
  6. Biological Pest Control and Native Pollinators
  7. Pasture Based Livestock Management
  8. Silvopasture
  9. Managing Water on the Farm
  10. Matching Your Landscape, Climate, and Production
  11. Managing Native Species, Invasive Plants, and Noxious Weeds
  12. Climate Smart Land Conversion
  13. Climate Smart Energy
  14. Financial Resources to Implement Climate Smart Farming*
Participants will learn about the impact of climate change on Connecticut agriculture and discover a range of adaptation strategies through this asynchronous course.  It includes quizzes, videos with other farmers and extension experts, and much more, including support from our Project Coordinator: Baylee Drown.
Please contact Baylee.Drown@uconn.edu if cost is prohibitive and we will work with you to make this affordable.
Sign up
25
Oct

NE-DBIC Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant deadline Dec. 4, 2025

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NE-DBIC Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant deadline Dec. 4, 2025

The NE-DBIC Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant is now open.

With a total of $750,000 in funding, this grant will support a wide range of projects aimed at improving farm viability, milk quality, worker conditions, economic sustainability, and climate resilience.

Grants will range from $15,000 to $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match. 

This grant will fund projects that help dairy farmers improve their operations for long-term success. Projects that take a systems-level approach and that show collaboration with experts or technical service providers will be most competitive. Projects that only replace old equipment without broader improvements to farm systems are not eligible.

Dairy farmers across the Northeast are eligible to apply. Producer associations and technical assistance providers applying on behalf of groups of farmers are also eligible, as are milk buyers/processors focusing on on-farm milk production or transfer.
Grants are available to applicants in all 11 Northeast states served by NE-DBIC: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Applications are open from October 14 to December 4, 2025 at 2pm. Access the full request for applications here: https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/farm-improvement-modernization/

 
NE-DBIC Grants
25
Oct

SARE Farmer Grant Proposals due Dec. 9, 2025

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SARE Farmer Grant Proposals due Dec. 9, 2025

NORTHEAST SARE: FARMER GRANT PROGRAM
CALL FOR 2026 PROPOSALS
The Northeast SARE Farmer Grant program provides funds to farmers to explore innovative concepts in sustainable agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques.

Farmer Grant projects must:

  • Be led by a farmer who meets Northeast SARE’s definition of a farm
  • Collaborate with a technical advisor.
  • Impact both the farmer Project Leader and other farms in the region.
  • Explore an innovative practice and/or introduce an existing practice to a new audience of farmers.
  • Include outreach activities, or sharing of project impacts and results, to farmers beyond the project team and project participants.
  • Align with proposal criteria.
Farmer Grant projects must generate information or working relationships that are consistent with the Northeast SARE outcome statement and align with our legislative priorities: Northeast agricultural communities honor the holistic connection among land, water, air, and all living beings. Agriculture in the Northeast is accessible and sustainable so all farmers and farm employees can steward resources to ensure sustainability, resilience, economic viability, and a high quality of life.

Legislative priorities:

  1. Maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil;
  2. Conserve soil, water, energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat;
  3. Maintain and enhance the quality of surface and ground water;
  4. Protect the health and safety of persons involved in the food and farm system;
  5. Promote the well-being of animals;
  6. Increase employment opportunities in agriculture.

The program encourages innovative solutions to challenges in farming and food systems in the Northeast USA, including but not limited to the areas of:

  • Marketing and business
  • Crop production
  • Raising livestock
  • Aquaculture
  • Social sustainability
  • Unconventional agriculture
  • Traditional ecological knowledge
  • and more

This program does not support:

  • Educational programs for the general public who are not involved in agriculture
  • Food donation efforts
  • General public awareness campaigns about agriculture and nutrition
  • Community and school gardening initiatives
Proposals are due no later than 5 p.m. on December 9, 2025. 
Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Administrator, Candice Huber, will be hosting a series of drop-in Q&A sessions from Noon to 1 p.m. EST on Tuesdays in November. Sessions will take place on: November 4, 11, 18, and 25. Click here to register for the Question-and-Answer Sessions.
Learn more
13
Sep

UConn Native Plants and Pollinators Conference Nov. 13 Storrs, CT

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UConn Native Plants and Pollinators Conference Nov. 13 Storrs, CT

An exciting day of presentations featuring current science-based research and information on supporting pollinators in managed landscapes. Learn how native plants support pollinator health throughout the year! This program is designed for growers and other green industry professionals, landscape service providers, landscape architects and designers, town commissions, municipalities, and home gardeners.

Session topics:
Who are Connecticut’s Specialist Bees: Tracy Zarillo MS., Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Come learn about Connecticut’s specialist bees and the plants they need, as well as other common bees to watch for in the yard.
Soil Microbial Allies in Managed Systems: Mia Maltz, PhD., Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut – This presentation will highlight suburban soil ecology and how it impacts native plant and pollinator health.
Knockout Natives: Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba Center Botanic Garden – Top performers and favorites of Phlox, Echinacea, wild hydrangea, Carex, Amsonia, and Vernonia from Mt. Cuba Center’s research trials will be discussed.
Seeing Nature: Andrew Brand, MS., Coastal Maine Botanical Garden – Draw gardening inspiration from images of plant and pollinator interactions captured beautifully and like you’ve never seen before.
Native Landscape Plants with Local Roots: Jessica Lubell-Brand, PhD., Professor, University of Connecticut – Native shrub selections that were discovered in and originate from New England will be covered.

FOR REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE, CONTACT: Alyssa Siegel-Miles, alyssa.siegel-miles@uconn.edu
Register
25
Aug

UConn College of Ag, Health and Natural Resources Greenhouse Research and Extension Biological Control Conference for Ornamental Growers September 18

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UConn College of Ag, Health and Natural Resources Greenhouse Research and Extension Biological Control Conference for Ornamental Growers September 18

In this workshop, growers will learn how to properly implement a biocontrol program from the practical experience of a grower and industry leaders, what are the new tools and products in the biocontrol industry, and how to train the staff to seek and find pests and insects. View the program.

Event Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025

Hosted by: Rosa Raudales & Charles Krasnow, UConn Extension

Target audience: Commercial greenhouse and nursery growers producing ornamental plants

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

Parking: Campus lots or street parking on Huntington Street and East Rock Road.

Registration: $70 per person. Registration includes a boxed lunch and six pesticide recertification credits for Connecticut and New England states for presentations marked with ♣.

Online registration at Greenhouse Training Store. Registration will end at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The registration fee is refundable 48 hours before the event. Please note that we have a maximum capacity of 70 attendees. Walk-in registrations are not an option. 

♣ 6 pesticide recertification credits (categories PA, 1A, and 3C) have been approved for this program.

If you have any questions about the program, please email Rosa Raudales at rosa.raudales@uconn.edu.

This Program is Co-Sponsored by: the University of Connecticut, USDA CCPM project number 2024-70006-43570, and UConn partners to the Root Alliance.

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Assist New Milford in protecting and preserving our surviving farmlands