- Details
- Category: Past Issues
AGvocate
program
looking to
grow
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has announced that it will fund a third year of the regional AGvocate program. Four additional municipalities in The Last Green Valley Heritage Corridor will be selected to receive technical assistance from circuit rider “AGvocate,” Jennifer Kaufman, to strengthen the farm-friendliness of community regulations and improve the viability of agricultural businesses within the community over the long term.
Municipalities that wish to apply should have prime agricultural soils and an active farm community. Both municipal officials and agricultural producers must be committed to creating tools to improve the understanding of agricultural issues and communication between local agricultural producers and other members of the community over the long-term.
Technical assistance may include, but is not limited to: initiating or improving the effectiveness of an existing Agricultural Commission; reviewing tax reduction options; planning for farmland protection; encouraging buy local opportunities; exploring methods to promote local farms; including agriculture in town plans; and right-to-farm ordinances.
The AGvocate program began in early 2009 when the CT Department of Agriculture awarded the first Farm Viability Grant to establish an AGvocate Pilot Program in The Last Green Valley. Six towns, Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Franklin, Sterling, and Thompson, have been working with the AGvocate to implement tools and create action plans to help promote farm viability. Phase II added the Towns of Eastford, Hampton, Windham, Woodstock to the program.
Municipalities within The Last Green Valley that interested in participating in the AGvocate program should contact Jennifer Kaufman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 860-450-6007, for more information and for an application form. All applications must be received no later than Thursday, March 31, 2011.
AGvocate Steering Committee: Ben Bowell, New England Field Rep, American Farmland Trust •Lois Bruinooge, Deputy Executive Director, The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) • David Fuss, Town of Brooklyn Planning and Zoning Commission •John Guszkowski, President, Eastern CT RC&D • Rick Hermonot, Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, & Farm and Business Consultant, First Pioneer Credit • Jennifer Kaufman, AGvocate (Staff) • Kevin Kennedy, Director of Planning, Town of Thompson • Joyce Meader, Dairy /Livestock Educator, UConn Cooperative Extension • Dawn Pindell, Executive Director, Windham County Farm Service Agency • Norma O’Leary, Chair, TLGV Natural Resources & Agriculture Committee • Abbie Cadman, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.