Agriculture Viability Grants Available

HARTFORD — The State of Connecticut announces a new grant program available to farmers, municipalities, and registered nonprofits. Public Act 05-228, “An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing, and Historic Preservation,” is landmark legislation that will serve to protect and preserve Connecticut for future generations by providing increased funding for municipal open space grants, farm viability and preservation, historic preservation, and new and existing affordable housing programs, along with new infrastructure to support and promote agriculture in Connecticut. Two competitive matching grants in the new program will be funded in 2006 thanks to $1 million available.

The Agriculture Viability Grants Program will include two grants: the Farm Viability Grant for Municipalities (FVG) and the Farm Transition Grant (FTG). Both are competitive matching grant programs with similar monies available but distinctive differences.

The FVG grant can only be used by municipalities and may be used for capital projects or for planning projects. The 50 percent match can be in in-kind services or funding from other sources.

The FTG will be used to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut farmers, agricultural not-for-profit organizations and agricultural cooperatives. A producer and a cooperative match must be at least 50 percent and may not include in-kind services, while a not-for-profit match must be at least 40 percent and may include in-kind services. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s share of the project budget is capped at $50,000 in matching funds.

Applications for 2006 are now available and will be accepted until May 31. A team of agriculture professionals will look over the applications and those selected will be notified by the end of June.

The applicant then must sign an agreement with the department and must complete the project in the time frame set forth in the agreement.

Contact Ron Olsen at 860-713-2550 for more information. To download a copy of the grant application and guidelines visit www.ct.gov/doag.