Strong Family Farm Receives $7,000 Grant from CT Humanities

Strong Family Farm (SFF) was recently awarded a $7,000 Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from CT Humanities. The grant will be used to connect more visitors to hands-on agricultural experiences at the historic farm.

“The heart of what we do is keep family farm traditions alive through fun and accessible educational programs geared for individuals of all ages, families, and community partners,” said SFF Executive Director, Jen Smith. “The farm was awarded funds in the first 2022 round of funding, which allowed the organization to transition from a heavily volunteer-run organization and fill key staff positions.”

The CT Cultural Fund provides operating support to community organizations still recovering from the pandemic in order to expand services and programs to the community. Funding was available to organizations who have a core mission dedicated to conducting museum, cultural, humanities, and/or arts activities that serve the public.

Nancy Strong’s long years of service to the mission of the nonprofit carrying her family’s name and legacy has been pivotal to connecting the community to the rich agricultural history. As of 2019, 51 acres of farmland was permanently protected, thanks largely to a wave of community support at all levels to see open space remain part of the Strong Family Farm. Now the organization is breathing new life into its mission to inspire more people to care for, protect, and pass on these treasures. Strong Family Farm will celebrate 10 years of being a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2024.

Strong Family Farm was one of 725 organizations in Connecticut to receive a CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant. Totaling $8.5 million, the grants are part of a two-year, $30.7 million investment in arts, humanities, and cultural organizations by the Connecticut General Assembly and Gov. Ned Lamont. The grant is provided by CT Humanities with funding from the

Connecticut State Department of Economic And Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature.

About CT Humanities
CT Humanities (CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs, CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org.

About Connecticut Office of the Arts
The Office of the Arts is a state agency charged with fostering the health of Connecticut’s creative economy. Part of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, the Office of the Arts is funded by the State of Connecticut and the National Endowment for the Arts.