1. Strengthen the Connecticut (CT) Department of Agriculture Farmland Preservation Program
Implement the Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value (OPAV) in CT.
Remove the $20,000 maximum amount the state can spend on farmland per acre.
Prioritize establishing new pathways to increase the number of agricultural appraisers and surveyors.
Increase the CT Department of Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation Program staff capacity.
Explore and support recommendations to establish an urban agriculture easement program in CT.
ADMINISTRATIVE: Work with CT Green Bank, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), CT Department of Agriculture, CT Land Conservation Council, and other partners to develop and implement a revolving loan fund to be used on Buy Protect Sell projects.
2. Maintain and support funding for farmland protection
Ensure full funding levels and integrity of the Community Investment Act (CIA).
Continue farmland preservation and community farms funding.
3. Explore and support recommendations made by the CT Department of Agriculture’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group
Support and fund the creation of a permanent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board at the CT Department of Agriculture.
Create a community working group that regularly meets with members of the DEI Committee and CT Department of Agriculture.
Establish a clear mechanism to ensure follow-through and accountability.
4. Support working lands component in any and all climate change legislation
Support additional funding opportunities for climate-smart agricultural practices, including investments in soil health and adaptation strategies.
Support policies and incentives to encourage forest resiliency.
Create a state definition of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Practices that includes, but is not limited to, practices outlined by USDA-NRCS.
Amend the Global Warming Solutions Act to ensure monitoring and reporting on carbon inventory associated with natural and working lands (farms, forests, etc.).
5. Support provisions that promote smart solar siting, planning, and placement of large-scale arrays. Including disincentive for solar array on Prime and Important Farmland and Core Forest
Amend the CT Siting Council, Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-50j, et seq. to include a representative with background and knowledge of agriculture.
Support state-level initiatives to convene multi-stakeholder consensus-building processes with representation from diverse members, including BIPOC producers, to ensure minimal solar development on farmland and core forest.
Support DEEP’s engagement process on Sustainable, Transparent, and Efficient Practices (STEPs) for Solar Development.
Expand the forest and farmland protections of Public Act 17-218 to include Solar Projects less than 2 MW and greater than 65 MW, which are currently excluded.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE: Explore and participate in-state stakeholder groups aimed at finding action-oriented solutions to address potential soil contaminants including those that cannot at present be effectively remediated (e.g. PFAS/PFOS, arsenic, etc.)
7. Support the design and implementation of an urban agriculture unit within the CT Department of Agriculture
8. Support policies that increase agricultural viability of farmers and promote food security
Support legislation that allows the CT Department of Agriculture to make the final rule on classification of farmland under PA 490 before a case is filed in Superior Court.
Increase incentives for schools and other public institutions to procure more CT Grown products, including CT Grown Forest products.
Support incentives that connect more CT Grown products to individuals and families that are experiencing food insecurity.
Support funding for the CT Department of Agriculture’s CT Grown for CT Kids Program.
Support the creation of a Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program.
Support on-farm infrastructure tax credits.
