Connecticut Farm Reinvestment Grant

Connecticut Department of Agriculture

About

The Farm Reinvestment Grants provides matching funds to Connecticut farms to expand, diversify, and improve existing working farms through projects with a lifespan of 10 years or more. The Farm Reinvestment Grant is funded through bond authorizations of the State of Connecticut.

Below are funding priorities of the Farm Reinvestment Grant as they directly relate and respond to enhancing existing agricultural operations and provide a stimulus to the local and state economies.

Constructing new agricultural production facilities for existing farms;
Projects which dramatically improve the operation’s cash flow;
Diversification into new production areas;
Expansion of existing production facilities via capital improvements;
Strengthening agricultural infrastructure to adapt to climatic changes;
Investing in infrastructure for existing and emerging food safety requirements.

Eligibility

The following entities are eligible to apply for the Farm Reinvestment Grant:

Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agricultural production facilities located within the State of Connecticut;

To qualify for the Farm Reinvestment Grant the applicant must be registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State, possess a Farmer’s Tax Exemption Permit, have submitted a Schedule F, Form 1120S, or Schedule C for the previous three years.

Prior grantees may apply for a Farm Reinvestment Grant. However, past awards and corresponding project completion will be taken into consideration.

Terms

Is there an applicant match involved?

Yes, a 50% cash match, or a 1:1 match, must be provide by the applicant. This means if your total project has a cost of $20,000 the applicant must provide at least $10,000 and a maximum of $10,000 could be awarded by the FTG.

If I apply by the deadline does it mean I'll be funded?

No. This is a very competitive grant program. Applications are evaluated by a team of reviewers and is primarily based on the business/project plan. More information on the evaluation criteria can be found in the application guidelines.

How is the grant money paid to someone who's been awarded?

Grant funds are paid after the project is successfully completed, a final financial report outlining all expenses associated with the project have been received and approved, a final project report has been received and approved, and site inspection by agency staff is conducted. For any building a certificate of occupancy must be obtained as well.