Farms In Somers, Ellington To Get State Aid With Agricultural Grants

SOMERS-ELLINGTON, CT — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) has announced recipients of the 2025 Farm Transition Grant to bolster agricultural production of both new and existing farm operations. More than $527,000 has been awarded to fund 29 projects throughout the state, including one each in Somers and Ellington.

In the Infrastructure Investment category, Worthington Vineyards in Somers will receive $24,000 to purchase specialized vineyard equipment, including a spreader, weeder and tractor. Sand Meadow Farm of Ellington will receive $5,000 from the New Farmer Microgrant category to build a small, on-site farm store.

CT DoAg received a total of 80 submitted grant proposals for the highly competitive grant round, with funding requests of nearly $1.6 million for total project costs of more than $3.9 million. Of the awarded funds, $303,395 will support seven farms to produce a new product, $165,150 will fortify nine farms with critical infrastructure, $55,550 will bolster 12 farms in their first three years of production, and $3,900 will assist one farm in testing the viability of a new product. Additionally, 20 of the 29 recipients have not received a Farm Transition Grant award within the last five years, 19 are beginning farmers and eight are farmer veterans.

"We are dedicated to strengthening the resilience of our agricultural community, and these awards represent a strategic investment in advancing that goal," Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said. "In recent grant cycles, we’ve seen firsthand how new farmer microgrants offer critical support to help grow businesses. Meanwhile, research, diversification, and infrastructure projects play a key role in sustaining existing businesses and positioning them for future growth."