State Grant To Boost Aquaculture Through UConn

STORRS , CT — Twenty-one projects throughout Connecticut, including a statewide aquaculture initiative run through UConn, have been selected to collectively receive more than $559,625 in state funds from the state Department of Agriculture.

The recipients will share the 2025 Agricultural Enhancement Grant to directly impact or foster industry viability through eligible Connecticut municipalities, regional councils of government and/or agricultural non-profit organizations.

Locally, a $47,385 Connecticut Sea Grant is designated to fund, through the University of Connecticut, six mobile battery-operated refrigerated storage units to test and expand direct-to-consumer and farm-to-chef market opportunities for state aquaculture farmers.

CT DoAg received a total of 39 submitted applications for the competitive grant review, with funding requests of more than $1.3 million for total project costs exceeding $4.2 million. Of the awarded funds, six projects fall into Tier 1 and will receive up to $5,000, and 15 projects are in Tier 2 with awards up to $49,999.

"Through the Agricultural Enhancement Grant awards, we are able to support innovative projects that strengthen our current needs and support future growth and innovation across all of our funding priorities," Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said. "I’m especially pleased to see the increased number of projects focused on youth agricultural education. Our support of these initiatives reaffirms the state’s commitment to advancing awareness of agriculture among future generations and providing them with opportunities to explore their connection to agriculture."