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We have about two months to go in the 2024 session. Things move FAST around here! Public hearings continue to take place and I can't wait to share more information with you on a child nutrition priority bill I'll be bringing out on the House Floor before the session ends. I know I've said it before, but I want to reiterate how proud I am to be your voice and represent the 57th District.
I have a lot to share with you in this update, including:
- Updates on Legislation
- The U.S.D.A.'s 2022 Census of Agriculture is Now Available
- March is Women's History Month
- Ellington and Vernon Fire Departments Hold Annual Awards Ceremonies
- Ellington Cemetery's Spring Cleanup
- East Windsor's Parks & Recreation Limerick Contest Open Until March 16
- Vernon FD is Seeking New Members
- Futsal & Street Soccer Coming to East Windsor
- Ellington Youth Services Safe Sitter Essential Class for Grades 6-8
- Vernon Greater Together Community Fund Grant Funding Extended to March 15
- Cornerstone to Host 2024 Prom Boutique
- East Windsor Social Services Taking Applications for Renter's Rebate
I hope you have a great weekend!
Jaime |
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| This month's article in North Central News takes a look at the proposed utility rate increases. As Vice-Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, I want to share some insight into the process and what the CGA can and can't do in terms of legislating utility companies. To read the full column, click HERE or click the graphic above. |
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| Here's the schedule of public hearings being held the week of March 11. Please remember that you only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, you can tune in to watch the proceedings live on the committee’s YouTube channel.
You can register to testify and find more details on public hearings, including the bills that will be heard, in this week’s CGA Bulletin. Access the Bulletin HERE. |
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| The Energy & Technology Committee had an 8-plus hour public hearing on February 27, and I took a few moments on Facebook Live to share some information on what we had on our agenda. To watch the Facebook Live, click HERE or click the graphic above. |
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| At a February 27 Energy and Technology public hearing, I asked the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes about limited capacities to expand solar opportunities for municipal interests. |
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| At the March 5 Commerce Committee public hearing, one of the bills we heard was SB 249 (RAISED) "An Act Concerning the Early Childhood Business Incubator Program." I had some questions about the program for Office of Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye. |
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| The Energy & Technology Committee had a public hearing on March 7 and one of the people who testified on HB 5361 (Raised) "An Act Concerning the Siting of Renewable Energy Sources in the State" was East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza. Thank you, Jason, for sharing with the committee what it's like to live with a saturation of solar arrays. |
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Every day is a busy day in the short session!
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| After a pretty horrible few years for farmers, I've been working with my colleagues on something we could do that might meaningfully help.
I've worked with my colleagues in the Insurance and Real Estate Committee to bring forth HB 5255.
Here’s what the bill does:
- Creates a captive insurance model to support farmers during extreme weather instances
- When there's extreme weather that negatively impacts farms, farmers would be able to tap into the fund to receive money to offset their losses
- The captive will be modeled after the Crumbling Foundations Captive which currently helps homeowners who have to replace their foundations due to pyrrhotite eroding their foundations
The bill went before a public hearing on February 27, and I, along with several local farmers, testified in support of this bill.
To read the testimony by each, click the links below:
Rep. Jaime Foster, 57th District
Bill Syme, Syme Family Farm LLC
Seth Bahler, Oakridge Dairy LLC
From here, the Insurance and Real Estate Committee will decide if the bill should be passed favorably out of committee for the House and Senate to vote on.
Photo courtesy of Mystica Flint. |
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| The Connecticut Department of Agriculture received the results of the U.S Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2022 Census of Agriculture, with new information about Connecticut farms and those who operate them, including data about decision-making, down to the county level.
The average farm size in Connecticut is 74 acres, a 7% increase from 2017, however the amount of land in farms has decreased by 2.5% to 372,000 acres. The number of farms in Connecticut has declined to 5,058, however, net farm income has increased by 90%. The data also shows that the total value of agricultural products is $704 million, an increase of 21% with nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod totaling $362 million or 51% of the total sales. |
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Ag census data provides valuable insights into demographics, economics, land use and activities on U.S. farms and ranches.
Some key Connecticut highlights include:
- There were 5,058 farms with an average size of 74 acres (up 7.2%) on 372,000 acres of farmland (down 2.5%).
- Connecticut farms included 139,000 acres of cropland in 2022 with 85% harvested. No-till, reduced (conservation) tillage, and cover crop practices were used on 36% of those acres.
- Connecticut farms produced $704 million in agricultural products, up from $580 million in 2017. With farm production expenses of $648 million, Connecticut farms had a net cash income of $143 million. Average farm net income in Connecticut increased 90% to $28,428 from $14,941 in 2017.
- Connecticut farms with internet access continued to rise from 81% in 2017 to 85.8% in 2022.
- Connecticut ranked 5th nationally in tobacco production, 12th in cultivated Christmas trees,18th in nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod, and 21st in aquaculture.
- Nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod account for 51% of total agricultural products sold in Connecticut generating $362 million in sales.
- Litchfield County had the most farms (1,005) and most land in farms with 85,205 acres.
- A total of 872 Connecticut farms used renewable energy-producing systems compared to 666 farms in 2017, a 24% increase. Most farms (93%) with renewable energy systems reported using solar panels.
- In 2022, the 1,241 Connecticut farms that sold agricultural products directly to consumers had sales of $49,877. The value of sales increased 6% from 2017.
- Organic farm numbers decreased by 30% from 2017.
- The average age of all Connecticut producers was 58.5, up from 57.1 in 2017.
- Increases in the 44 years and under and 65+ categories, but declining numbers in the 45–64-year-old categories.
- There were 2,797 Connecticut producers (or 32%) with 10 or fewer years of experience, with an average age of 47.7. The number of new and beginning farmers increased 3% since 2017.
- The number of Connecticut producers under age 35 was 956, comprising 10% of all producers. This is slightly ahead of the national average of 9%.
- In 2022, there were 3,854 female producers accounting for 41% of all Connecticut producers.
- Connecticut producers with military service represented 709 compared to 940 producers in 2017.
The national response rate for the 2022 Census of Agriculture was 61%; more than 40% of responses were submitted online. Ag census data highlight publications are available at nass.usda.gov/Publications/Highlights. Additional products, including market value of ag products sold, state and county profiles, and race, ethnicity, and gender profiles will be released on March 27 and June 28 respectively.
The full Census of Agriculture report can be found at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. Ag census data can also be found in NASS’s searchable online database, Quick Stats.
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| March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the vital role women have played in American history. It’s also a time to celebrate their achievements and learn more about their contributions. This year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,” which recognizes women throughout the country who believe a positive future can only be achieved by eliminating bias and discrimination from our society. |
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Connecticut has a long history of female pioneers who brought progress to our state and the rest of the country. Women in our state have consistently risen to positions of leadership within the political landscape, showcasing their outstanding abilities and commitment to public service.
- We are home to the first boarding school for women of color, which opened in 1831 in Canterbury.
- Helen Keller was one of Connecticut’s most influential women for her fierce support and advocacy of women’s suffrage, legalization of birth control, and benefits for people with disabilities.
- Ella T. Grasso was the first woman elected Floor Leader in the Connecticut General Assembly, the first woman to chair the Democratic State Platform Committee, and the first woman in the U.S. to be elected governor.
- Antonia “Ann” Uccello was the first woman in Connecticut to be elected mayor of a municipality, and she was the only woman to head a major U.S. city during the Civil Rights era.
- Today, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro continues to break barriers
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| In our quest to honor and protect women in our state, I would like to highlight some of the work we have done and continue to champion in the legislature.
And our tireless advocacy is far from complete. We have several priorities in the 2024 legislative session that directly impact women daily.
Let's celebrate Women's History and the remarkable women in our own lives each and every day! |
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| Congratulations to the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department at their annual awards banquet that was held recently at Mill on the River in South Windsor. It was an absolute pleasure to celebrate your accomplishments.
Young people, we need your service. Our fire departments are all actively recruiting, and they need you.
Some statistics out of EVFD for 2023:
1,049 calls were responded to
3,000 hours of community service
2,500 man-hours of training
10 years of service - Michael Gallagher
20 years of service - Peter Hany Jr.
20 years of service- Rich Daugherty
25 years of service - Rob Levandoski
50 years of service - Allan Smith
Officer Training Award - Capt. Cole Prato
Firefighter Training Award - Frederica Weeks
Lifesaving Award - Dom Cristelli
Lifesaving Award - Lt. Regan Toomey
Lifesaving Award - John Streiber, EVAC
Firefighter of the Year - Adam D’Agostino
A big congratulations to all of the award winners and an equally big thank you to their families for all of their support. |
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| The Vernon Fire Department held its awards ceremony on Monday night. Congratulations to the Vernon Fire Department’s EMT of the Year, Octavio “Tabby” Muniz, Firefighter of the Year, Stan Landry, and Fire Officer of the Year, Peter Orlowski. |
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| From Hall Memorial Library: Yonghao Li, Ph.D., a Plant Pathologist with The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station will present a talk on the best practices for maintaining a variety of happy, healthy plants in your home, on March 11 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required and can be done online via the library's calendar. Click HERE to register. |
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| From the Ellington Cemetery Association: It's Spring Cleanup time. All winter decorations at the cemetery need to be removed by March 15. Thank you for your cooperation. |
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| Futsal and Street Soccer is coming back to East Windsor! Register at www.EastWindsorRec.com. |
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| From Ellington Youth Services: Safe Sitter Essentials with CPR is a 6-hour class designed to prepare students to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. This class is filled with fun games and role-playing exercises teaching safety skills, childcare skills, first aid & rescue skills, and life and business skills. Registration open on Activenet. |
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| From the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving: The deadline to apply for up to $10,000 in grant funding has been extended from March 1 to March 15!
The Vernon Greater Together Community Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving invites all Vernon 501(c)3’s - big or small - to submit an application and share their ideas for serving the Vernon community!
In 2023, the Vernon Greater Together Community Fund gave away $43,500 to local causes in Vernon.
Priority for grants this cycle will be given towards proposals or projects that target disadvantaged and/or underrepresented members of the Vernon community.
To learn more or to apply, click HERE. |
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| The Tolland Agricultural Center is excited to offer two $500 scholarships to graduating high school students or current college students!
Who Can Apply: Eligible students must be a seniors in high school who have been accepted to a college, university, or technical school program, or current college students with plans of study in Agriculture, Technical Education, or Family Studies related fields. Applicants must be a 4-H member, AgEd Student, Technical Education student, or Family Studies student in Tolland County.
How to Apply: Applicants must provide a completed application, two letters of recommendation, a transcript of grades, and an essay of no more than 300 words explaining your plans to major in a field related to Agriculture, Technical Education, or Family Studies and what you plan to do with this education after graduation.
Due Date is April 1, 2024!
Check out the link for more information and the application!
https://www.tollandcountyagriculturecenter.com/scholarships |
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