Press Releases

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• 3/11/2020 Legislative Update March 11 2020

  It has now been one month since opening day and the legislative process is moving full steam ahead. Over the last several weeks, committees have passed their raised bill deadlines and have begun soliciting public input on a variety of important pieces of legislation. In the short period following a public hearing, a bill can be amended – clarifying data, amending sections, and responding to testimony that was submitted to the committee.

• 2/5/2020 Outstanding Young Farmer Congress

  Connecticut welcomed more than 200 members of the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) to the National Outstanding Young Farmers (NOYF) Congress from February 6-9 in Westbrook. Attendees included former NOYF alumni, sponsors and other agricultural professionals, as well as 10 finalists from across the nation. The organization gathered to honor the outstanding achievements of America’s young agriculturalists.

• 9/15/2020 Bite Into Fall with Connecticut Grown Apples

  (HARTFORD, CT) – You might not be able to bob for apples this fall, but you can visit an orchard to pick your own apples. Connecticut is home to more than 65 orchards with more than 60 apple varieties suitable for snacking, salads, sauces, desserts, and more.

• 9/15/2020 Stanley Boniewski Farm of Middletown Is Protected and Ready for a New Owner

  [HARTFORD, CT] - Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT) and Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) are pleased to announce the preservation of Stanley Boniewski Farm in Middletown. This 41-acre farm was protected in concert by the Town of Middletown, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), CT DoAg, and CFT.

• 9/15/2020 Thirteenth Generation Dairy Farm in Voluntown Begins Journey to Preservation

  [HARTFORD, CT] - Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT), in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg), is pleased to announce completion of the first phase of a multi-year project to preserve Gallup Farm, a 500-acre dairy in Voluntown. The large property is being protected in a joint effort by partners USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA-NRCS), CT DoAg and CFT. The first portion of the farm to be protected encompasses 116 acres. ​

• 7/27/2020 Connecticut Residents Asked to Report Receipt of any Unsolicited Packages of Seeds

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) have been notified that several Connecticut residents have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may be invasive plant species. The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them. Unsolicited packages of seeds have been received by people in several other states across the United States over the last several days.

• 3/31/2020 COVID-19 Guidance for Horseback Riding Schools Stables and Boarding Stables

  HARTFORD, CT – In addition to implementing the Stay Home, Stay Safe protocols effective on March 23, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. through April 22, 2020; Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7H required the Department of Economic and Community Development to provide a guidance document to determine essential businesses.

• 8/1/2025 CT DOAG Honored with GreenerGov

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is proud to announce it has received the Energy Efficiency Award at this year’s GreenerGov Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on July 31, 2025.

• 7/18/2025 Mosquito Season Alert

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) reminds the state’s horse and livestock community to take preventative measures to protect against mosquito-borne diseases this season, including West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).

• 7/10/2025 GOVERNOR LAMONT SIGNS LEGISLATION SUPPORTING GROWTH

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed into law two major pieces of legislation approved by the Connecticut General Assembly this session that encourage growth within Connecticut’s agricultural sector.

• 7/1/2025 Stars Stripes and Local Bites

  (HARTFORD, CT) – As Independence Day approaches, Connecticut farmers are harvesting the first sweet corn and peaches of the season and offering up an abundance of CT Grown farm products perfect for your holiday celebrations. Whether you're grilling in the backyard, gathering with friends at a campground or beach, or enjoying a picnic at a state park, now is the perfect time to support Connecticut agriculture and savor the best flavors of summer.

• 3/28/2025 Equine Owners Encouraged to Take Preventative Actions

  (HARTFORD, CT) Spring weather means horse owners throughout Connecticut are readying for trail rides, competitions, and other events with their equine companions.

• 3/16/2025 LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ AND AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

  (HARTFORD, CT) - Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz will join Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt at Steadfast Farms in Bethlehem to celebrate Agriculture Week.

• 8/1/2025 GOVERNOR LAMONT ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO SHOP CONNECTICUT GROWN

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to support local farmers during National Farmers’ Market Week – which runs from August 3 to 9, 2025 – by visiting some of the more than 100 certified farmers’ markets statewide and purchasing locally grown products designated with the Connecticut Grown logo.

• 3/8/2025 Agriculture Commissioner Hurlburt Statement on Fire at Grower Direct Farms in Somers

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt released the following statement regarding the fire at Grower Direct Farms in Somers, CT, on March 7, 2025.