Suffield Farm Among 20 To Receive Long-Term Climate Resiliency Grant

SUFFIELD, CT — A Suffield farm is one of 20 recipients who will share $1.475 million in state funding to farmers and non-profits involved in production agriculture, to invest in long-term climate resiliency projects which will decrease vulnerability to extreme weather events through regenerative agricultural practices.

Northern Valley Farms Inc. has been awarded $100,000 by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), to be used for soil health and organic matter biodiversity and water management, according to Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt.

The CT DoAg is funding the projects as part of the Farmland Restoration, Climate Resiliency and Preparedness Grant, which was authorized by and funded through Connecticut General Statues 22-6c with a focus on restoring and improving land with prime and important farmland soils.

"Connecticut’s agricultural producers have demonstrated a strong desire to implement sustainable farming practices to be part of the climate change solution while also mitigating the impacts of more extreme weather events," Hurlburt said in a written statement. "Through these strategic investments, farmers will be able to conduct projects to improve soils for increased productivity and enhanced resilience."

Funds can be used for capital investments, including equipment, to implement farming practices that will have a multi-year or cumulative effect on the climate resiliency of the land or farming operation. CT DoAg received 66 eligible grant applications requesting up to $4.8 million in funding. Of the 20 awards, 13 were directed towards beginning/underserved producers and 5 to BIPOC producers.

Awardees will be provided technical assistance by a soil scientist or other advisor assigned by and paid for by CT DoAg in the development of their Farmland Restoration and Climate Resiliency Plan (FRCR Plan). Upon approval of the FRCR Plan by CT DoAg, grantees will receive funding to implement the FRCR Plan.