Article on Recent Agriculture Workshop

http://manchester.patch.com/articles/does-manchester-have-an-agricultural-future

Excellent Video on Future Farming

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/farm-for-the-future/

Present And Future Of Local Farming Will Be The Subject Of A Workshop Tuesday

http://www.courant.com/community/manchester/hc-manchester-agriculture-plan-0322-20110321,0,7918013.story

Important Agriculture Workshop

Manchester 2020 Plan Workshop: Manchester's Agricultural Future: All members of the Manchester community are invited to attend a workshop on the present and future of agriculture in Manchester on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Great Path Community Commons on the Manchester Community College campus. This event is part of the ongoing Manchester 2020 planning process. Many participants at the 2020 quadrant discovery workshops suggested preserving and encouraging agricultural activities in town as important goals for the community. This workshop will provide a brief overview of Manchester's agricultural history, examples of the diverse agricultural activities that currently exist in town, and how these and similar activities can be protected and encouraged in the future. The benefits of and current trends in local food production will also be addressed. Advance registration is not necessary but is appreciated. Please call the Planning Department at 860-647-3044 with questions, or to RSVP.

School Garden Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/pages/Schoolyard-Gardens/169692833078498

Eligible for Federal Programs

Connecticut Department of Agriculture

Dannel P. Malloy, Governor

Steven K. Reviczky, Commissioner

Robert R. Pellegrino, Bureau Director

CONNECTICUT

G R O W N

Marketing & Technology Bureau, (860) 713-2503

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Special Addendum to February 9, 2011 Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Report

Agricultural Snowstorm Losses Must Be Reported to the Farm Service Agency

within 30 Days to be Eligible for Federal Programs

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has received reports of significant damage to agricultural buildings across the state as a result of recent

snowstorms and excessive snow loads. As of February 9th, the agency has received word that over 300 agricultural structures on 99 farms have either

totally or partially collapsed. The department continues to tally losses to buildings, equipment, and supplies, as well as the significant loss of livestock

resulting from building collapses.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) may have programs available to assist those who have experienced agricultural losses. It is very important that

everyone who has experienced a loss due to the weather this winter report their loss to FSA within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent to the

producer. Losses can include buildings, equipment, stored feed, livestock, seed, fertilizer, started plants, inventory, etc.

With regard to livestock, FSA will require documentation such as ownership documentation, normal mortality rates, and the number and kind of livestock

lost as a direct result of these winter storms. Producers should track all costs including relocation, transporting feed, disposal, etc.

Fact sheets can be found on FSA’s website, http://www.fsa.usda.gov. Click on Newsroom then Fact Sheets.

In addition to FSA’s requirements, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture is also tallying agricultural losses as part of the state’s overall effort to

account all agricultural losses associated with this winter’s storms. This information is being provided to Governor Dannel P. Malloy in an effort to support

requests for possible federal assistance. In addition to reporting your loss to FSA, you can help the agency’s efforts by also reporting your agricultural loss

to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. To report your agricultural loss, please contact the commissioner’s office at (860) 713-2500.

FSA can be contacted at the phone numbers below:

Connecticut State FSA Office Phone: (860) 871-4090

344 Merrow Road, Suite B (FAX) (860) 871-4099

Tolland, CT 06084-3917

Marsha B. Jetté – State Executive Director

Hartford-Tolland County FSA Office Phone: (860)-688-7725

100 Northfield Drive, FL 4 (FAX) (860)-688-0083

Windsor, CT 06095-4730

Ross E. Eddy – County Executive Director

Litchfield-Fairfield County FSA Office Phone: (860) 626-8852

1185 New Litchfield Street (FAX) (860) 626-8850

Torrington, CT 06790-6098

Howard E. Rood – County Executive Director

New Haven-Middlesex County FSA Office Phone: (203) 269-6665

97 Barnes Road (FAX) (203)294-9741

Wallingford, CT 06492-1900

Nancy H. Welsh – County Executive Director

New London County FSA Office Phone: (860) 887-9941

238 West Town Street (FAX) (860) 887-4082

Norwich, CT 06360-6599

Ann Marie McCard – County Executive Director

Windham County FSA Office Phone: (860) 774-8397

139 Wolf Den Road (FAX) (860) 779-0148

Brooklyn, CT 06234-1729

Dawn S. Pindell – County Executive Director

Farm Energy Program

Join the CT Farm Energy Program for a series of 5 free workshops in January 2011 about technical assistance and financial incentives that are available to AG producers as it relates to energy. Topics will include the CT Farm Energy Program, the new CT Farm Energy BMP Guide, NRCS EQIP program and grant and loan programs offered through USDA Rural Development REAP Grants (Renewable Energy for America Program) for renewable and energy efficiency projects.

Learn about the CT Farm Energy Program and the technical assistance it provides, along with an overview of the new Connecticut Farm Energy Best Management Practice (BMP) Guide.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will present information on funding available for select conservation practices allowed under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to address energy issues, and what is involved in applying for an Agricultural Energy Management Plan (AgEMP). Learn how the recommendations from the AgEMP can be funded through EQIP financial assistance.

CT Farm Energy Program will discuss in detail how to apply for a USDA Rural Development - REAP (Renewable Energy for America Program) Grant and go through the application binder for those interested in applying. CT Farm Energy Grant writers will be on hand to assist & answer questions.

January 5, 2011 @ 6 pm
Tolland County AG Center
24 Hyde Avenue (Rte 30)
Vernon, CT 06066

January 10, 2011 @ 6 pm
Middlesex UConn Extension
1066 Saybrook Road (Rte 154)
Haddam, CT 06438

January 19, 2011 @ 3 pm
Norwich USDA Service Center
238 West Town Street
Norwich, CT 06360

January 24, 2010 @ 6 pm
Windham UConn Extension
139 Wolf Den RoadBrooklyn, CT 06234

January 26, 2011 @ 3 pm
Windsor USDA Service Center
100 Northfield Drive, 4th Floor
Windsor, CT 06095

This series of workshops is made possible through the partnership of Eastern CT Resource Conservation & Development Area (RC&D), USDA Rural Development (RD), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS) and the CT Farm Energy Program (CFEP).
USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider

The workshops are free and open to the public to attend, please call or email the CT Farm Energy Program if you plan to attend so that we have enough materials available.
Workshop Flyer is attached

Amanda Fargo-Johnson
Program Coordinator
CT Farm Energy Program
www.ctfarmenergy.org
860-345-3977