Agricultural Viability

Guiding Principle
Agriculture provides critical goods and services to Connecticut’s citizens and ecosystems. The benefits of a viable agriculture include economic development, cultural heritage, natural resource protection, food security, and a high quality of life for the state’s residents.

 

 

Goal
To increase the viability and profitability of the Connecticut agricultural industry and landscapes.
Objective
1. Facilitate and coordinate emerging efforts by organizations, citizen groups, and governmental bodies to develop a statewide strategy to increase agricultural profitability and viability.
Outside one of many local Connecticut farm stands.
2. Develop linkages between agricultural interest groups and statewide efforts to develop green infrastructure and livable communities.
3. Initiate and support efforts to educate the general public, government officials, and the agricultural community on the benefits of a viable agriculture in Connecticut, and the tools available to ensure its survival.

Strategies
1. Develop and initiate grant project to promote the economic and cultural importance of farmland protection to municipal officials and decision-makers (2006-2011).
2. Coordinate the development of a regional Agricultural Viability Plan (2006-2011).
3. Work with like-minded organizations in agriculturally related public outreach efforts (2006-2011).
4. Utilize Clean Water Act, Section 319h, Nonpoint Source grant, funding to develop two regional nutrient management feasibility studies. Develop business plans and marketing strategy for products developed through the nutrient management initiative (2006-2009).
5. Develop a fiscal impact study with the Town of Woodstock to analyze the importance of farm land to the community and the impact of development and other land use changes. This study will be a model for other communities in the RC&D Area (2006-2008).
6. Support legislation to preserve and protect farm land in Connecticut (2006-2011).
7. Partner with the Celebrating Agriculture event to showcase the benefits agriculture provides to the region, as well as, the challenges farms face today (2006-2011).
8. Provide support to agricultural groups, producers and distributors to develop and improve marketing strategies for local producers (2006-2011)