Climate Smart Farming Grant guidance now available
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) this week announced that the Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant Guidance is now available with up to $7 million available in funding for projects which support climate smart farming practices.
Funding is provided through legislation we passed this year (Public Act 22-118 Sec 12(b)(70)), which provides $7 million for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
The Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant can fund projects in a variety of areas including, but not limited to:
- Providing technical assistance.
- Distributing a grant to producers.
- Coordinating training programs.
- Coordinating projects that pilot or demonstrate water and land-based conservation practices.
- Creating tools that help reduce barriers to accessing assistance for climate smart farming.
- Establishing equipment-sharing programs.
- Other activities that will increase the number of farmers who are implementing climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices.
Any agribusiness or entity, including nonprofit organization, soil and water conservation district, colleges and universities, municipality or for-profit organization in the State of Connecticut are eligible to apply. All agricultural commodities can participate including aquaculture, agriculture and forestry. In addition, all production types will be supported including conventional/organic, indoor/outdoor, soil/water, and urban/rural. CT DoAg plans to issue awards in varying amounts for program implementation from May 1, 2023, through May 1, 2028.
There is no match requirement for this grant.
An informational webinar will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. to assist interested applicants in learning about eligible projects, the submission process, and tips for writing an application. Registration is required to attend this workshop. Please pre-register for the event here. Registered attendees will be provided the webinar information 24 hours prior to the start. |