“Farming is not an easy business,” said State Department of Agriculture (DOAG) representative Ron Olsen.

In agreement is one man who is the most recent in a line of family members to shoulder the responsibility for a Sandy Hook fish hatchery.

“I can certainly speak well from that standpoint,” said Todd Bobowick, who manages the network of hatcheries at Rowledge Pond — an endeavor tailored after his grandfather’s vision that took shape in the 1950s.

He and others found some financial relief last month, however.

In July the DOAG awarded the initial round of Agricultural Viability Grants totaling $842,000. “The grants were awarded on a competitive basis match that must be supplied by the applicant.” according to a DOAG release.

Mr Bobowick was among 16 recipients out of 77 agricultural producers who submitted applications. Overall, the DOAG awarded sums to municipalities, producers such as Mr Bobowick, and nonprofits.

Mr Olsen said, “Anything we can do to help the farmer remain solvent.”

In a release announcing the grants, the funding is explained as “part of a new grant program to help expand and advance Connecticut’s agricultural economy.” As the result of legislation, “This is the first time we have had money like this to help production farmers,” Mr Olsen said.

In the release, Governor M. Jodi Rell stated, “This important funding will allow individual farmers and towns to develop new agricultural jobs by investing in better facilities, equipment and technologies. Agriculture is not just part of our proud heritage — it is an essential component of our economic future.”

The release explains the funds, matching grants, “are part of a program to help expand and advance Connecticut’s cultural economy.” The funding is meant to “support and promote agriculture in the state.”

Mr Olsen feels the “more help they can get,” the better off the agricultural community will be. He also explained that the grant applications, available this past May 2 with a deadline of May 31, were carefully evaluated before winners were announced on July 2. Of primary importance were the applicants’ business plans, he said.

Mr Olsen explained, “We want to enable farmers to act on plans; the business plan is the key, we want to see their plans for years ahead.” Mr Olsen said they sought applicants who were “in it for the long run”.

“[Mr Bobowick] had a very good business plan,” said Mr Olsen.

Mr Bobowick’s application specified a project of “increase aquaculture production by installation of infiltration wells” said Mr Olsen. The gravel-packed wells that Mr Bobowick envisions are a new approach to filtration at the hatchery.

“If I want to continue to operate I have to look at different means of meeting objectives and so I looked at putting in the wells,” he said.

Sentimental Value

A life of agriculture and farming often presents financial strains, explained Mr Olsen. “When you’re in farming it’s because you like it. It’s not the money.”

Agreeing with Mr Olsen’s observation, Mr Bobowick said, “I am in this because I like it. It’s in my blood and I can’t sit there and look at the ponds and just leave them alone — not try as hard as I possibly can.” He said the hatcheries, where he raises trout from eggs or “fingerlings,” “is easily 40 hours a week, but financially it’s a part-time venture.”

Mr Bobowick offered the history behind the hatcheries.

“[John Rowins] started it and it has been in the family ever since,” he said. “My grandfather always wanted a trout stream and a pond and it turned into a hatchery.”

Mr Bobowick said, “If I want to continue to operate I have to look at different means of meeting my objectives.” He intends to take a new approach to the wells at his hatchery.

 

Real Estate

Mr Olsen is leery of the lucrative real estate market. He said, “Commercial development is everywhere there is a farm,” he began. “Developers are willing to pay for lots…”

As part of the agricultural community, Mr Bobowick also expressed concern about development, saying it is “rampant” in Newtown.

Economic Development Commission Director Elizabeth Stocker said that statewide land is being developed that once had agricultural uses. In 2004 the town’s plans of conservation and development “recognized the threat of development,” she said. The Economic Development Commission has agricultural initiatives underway. For information, visit www.newtown-ct.gov/public_documents/NewtownCT_POCD/toc.

In recent months a handful of local farmers from equestrians to vintners to nurseymen gathered for a meeting to generate ideas to boost the local agricultural community. First to Ms Stocker’s mind was improving the signage to gain more visibility for farmers. She also hopes to see future brain-storming sessions and events opened to the public and hosted by the agricultural community.