Constitution State News

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) announced the recipients of its climate-smart agricultural grants in the second round of the Building Resiliency on Northwest Connecticut Farmland Implementation Grant program. This initiative seeks to fund farmers in Northwest Connecticut to adopt sustainable practices that improve resilience and productivity in a changing climate.

In March 2023, NCLC was awarded $750,000 by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture through the Climate Smart Agriculture & Forestry Grant program, which is part of Public Act 22-118. This program distributed $7 million among agricultural and conservation entities, with NCLC being one of the 12 organizations selected.

Catherine Rawson, Executive Director at NCLC, stated, "Connecticut's farms are in the top three for most at risk of loss in the country. NCLC's Building Resiliency grant program provides direct investments to help our state's farmers and farms adapt and thrive in a changing climate."

Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt also expressed his support, highlighting the commitment of Connecticut's agricultural producers to climate solutions. "Through the support of the Lamont Administration, CT DoAg has been proud to partner with organizations such as NCLC to make strategic investments in farm operations to support climate-smart farming practices and long-term resiliency projects," he said.

The program has funded 22 climate-smart agricultural assessments by Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, with 18 awardees announced in fall 2024. Four additional farms have been added since: Hamlin Preserve and Mary Moore Preserve in Sharon, Riverbank Farm in Roxbury, and Rowledge Pond Aquaculture in Sandy Hook.

Moreover, the program now includes 15 new implementation grant awardees across Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties. Grant recipients include farms engaged in beef, dairy, poultry, fish, forestry, and various other agricultural activities.

The awarded projects include diverse initiatives like energy efficiency upgrades, sustainable equipment purchases, and practices that promote carbon sequestration and reduced emissions. Sarah Lang - Conundrum Farm in Kent, for instance, will receive $30,000 for greenhouse energy efficiency upgrades to improve year-round production.

"It is imperative we reverse the loss and degradation of our farmlands, particularly given the increasing challenges of extreme and unpredictable weather patterns," remarked Joe McCartin, co-owner of Hathor Hill Farm, one of the grant recipients.

NCLC will celebrate the grant awardees and program partners later this spring during an on-farm event. Detailed information about the awardees is available at ctland.org/climate-smart-grant/awardees.

For inquiries, Shelley Rose, Agricultural Program Manager, and Rebecca Eddy, Director of Communications for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, can be contacted via email or phone.