Politics & Government
Ridgefield Farm Awarded $50K From State For 'Innovation'
The Hickories in Ridgefield was awarded the maximum amount from the CT Dept of Agriculture through its Farm Transition Grant Program.
RIDGEFIELD, CT — A Ridgefield farm has won a state grant for its innovation.
The Hickories in Ridgefield received $49,999, the maximum amount awarded from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture through the state's Farm Transition Grant Program. A total of $549,649 went to 30 projects to "assist Connecticut agricultural producers and cooperatives seeking to expand, diversify, and improve their existing operation," according to a news release from the state Agriculture Department.
Grants were awarded to farm projects in four categories: Infrastructure Investment; Research and Development; New Farmer Micro Grants; and Innovation and Diversification. The Hickories won for its efforts in the latter category, having crafted multipurpose workspaces/processing facilities that incorporated freeze-proof dry storage for crops, flowers and seeds.
A total of 58 applications were received with a total request in excess of $1 million in grant funds for eligible projects. Matching funds were required for each category, ranging from 25 percent in the New Farmer Micro Grant up to 50 percent of the total project cost for Infrastructure Investment and Innovation and Diversification.
"Three years ago, we modified the FTG program to better align with the needs of farmers – from new and beginning to established – and since then we have experienced a greater diversity of applications and projects," said Agriculture Commission Bryan P. Hurlburt. "These funds are providing meaningful assistance to a wide variety of producers to make positive lasting impacts on their own business model, as well as contribute to the state’s economy, job growth, and food production."
The Hickories is located at 136 Lounsbury Road in Ridgefield.
