Connecticut Farm Enterprise Transition Grant

The Farm Transition Grant Program (FTG) (C.G.S. Sec. 22-26k) is a competitive matching grant program for Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives to support the diversification of existing farm operations, transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales, and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state.

Four unique grant categories, for which eligible applicants can apply, are available. Applicants shall select the category for which they think their project most closely qualifies. DoAg reserves the right to alter the grant category selected by the applicant. Below are summaries of each category.

New Farmer Micro Grant

Microgrants to support new individuals/partnerships who have one full year to three years of production history and are seeking long-term careers that financially support them through farming and agriculture.

• Maximum award: $5,000

• Match requirement: 25% of project costs

Infrastructure Investment Grant

To support farmers who have been in production for a minimum of three years with infrastructure to expand the farm’s production and operation.

• Maximum award: $25,000

• Match requirement: 50% of project costs

Research and Development Grant

 A grant program for farms to conduct research to assess the viability and develop a new product line, service, or market.

• Maximum award: $25,000

• Match requirement: 40% of project costs

Innovation and Diversification Grant

A grant program for the implementation of a new product or service for market or business expansion after a research and development phase has been explored.

• Maximum award: $49,999

• Match requirement: 25% of project costs

The following entities are eligible to apply for all Farm Transition Grant categories:

1. Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agribusiness within the State of Connecticut

2. Agricultural cooperatives To qualify for the New Farmer Micro Grant, eligible entities must meet the following to qualify:

   1. Apply for or possess a Farmers’ Tax Exemption Permit through the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services

   2. Have a 2-5-year business plan drafted

   3. Complete a crop plan

   4. Be the operation owner and have been in production for a year or more

   5. Tenants must include a written agreement between all necessary parties regarding the submitted project

To qualify for the Infrastructure Investment Grant, Research and Development Grant, and Innovation and Diversification Grant eligible entities must meet the following:

• Be registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State, if established as a limited liability corporation or incorporation

• Possess a Farmer’s Tax Exemption Permit

• Have submitted a Schedule F, Form 1120S, Form 1065, or Schedule C for the previous three years

• Tenants must include a long term written lease agreement between all necessary parties regarding the submitted project.

Previous awardees to the Farm Transition Grant can reapply.

Past awards and corresponding project completion will be taken into consideration when evaluating applications.

Applicants who have an open agreement and a project in progress are ineligible to apply. 

Match Requirement, Expenses, & Payment:

All eligible expenses funded by any Farm Transition Grant program must advance farming and agriculture as defined by Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-1(q).

All grant categories have a cash match requirement of which the percentage necessary varies. The cash match requirement for each program can be self-financed, bank-financing, or provided through another grant (federal, state, or otherwise). If a grant is providing the match, the applicant must disclose the grantor, the grant name, and amount awarded. A three-year profit and loss statement and current profit and loss must be provided.

The Farm Transition Grant must be paid directly to the applicant.

The following expenses cannot be used as a match and will not be funded by any grant category:

• Any expense incurred prior to contract execution

• Land acquisition/mortgages

• Cost of borrowing (points and other fees)

• Expenses related to establishing a new organization/business

• Any portion of expense for which the applicant pays a contractor in merchandise or service in lieu of cash

• Tuition/tuition reimbursement or career-related/scholarship funds

• Routine business expenses (utilities, office supplies, etc.)

• Disposable supplies (office, farm, otherwise) unrelated to the project

• Legal expenses related to litigation

• Indirect or contingency costs of any percentage

The following expenses are an acceptable match if they directly and meaningfully support the proposed project:

• Employee salaries and fringe benefits paid to execute the project

• State/local/federal permits

• Attorneys’ fees (not related to litigation)

• Consumable or disposable supplies

Eligible expenses by grant category can be found on page 4. The eligibility of general-purpose equipment will be reviewed based on grant category and project usage.

These are reimbursement grants. Incomplete projects cannot be fully reimbursed.

A reimbursement of 50% of the award can be provided to the New Farmer Micro Grant awardees during the project work, with the remaining 50% of the award reimbursed upon project completion. Receipts with proof of payment to justify the first 50% of the award must be provided.

Project Duration & Post Award Requirements

Projects must be completed within 18 months of contract execution. Contract and project extensions are not allowed.

Applicants of awarded projects will be responsible for the following:

1. Signing an agreement with the State of Connecticut

2. Providing a Certificate of Insurance holding the state harmless or listing the state as an additional insured on the grantee’s liability insurance policy

3. Completing the project within the contractual timeframe

4. Submitting a final project report in the required format per the executed contract

5. Submitting a final financial report itemizing actual expenses. Copies of invoices and proof of payment must be submitted with the payment request at the conclusion of the project

6. Agreeing to a site inspection once the project is complete and prior to final payment being released

7. Other requirements as outlined in the State of Connecticut contract

Grantees will have additional training on requirements once contracts are executed.

Apply at the appropriate link below:

• New Farmer Micro Grant Cognito Form Application Link 

• Infrastructure Investment Grant Cognito Form Application Link 

• Research and Development Grant Cognito Form Application Link

• Innovation and Diversification Grant Cognito Form Application Link

A complete application includes:

1. Applicant Information (Appendix A) entered on the Cognito Form link

2. Budget Form (Appendix B) added as an attachment on the Cognito Form link

3. Grant narrative (Appendix C) added as an attachment on the Cognito Form link

4. Conceptual drawings, estimates/quotes, production information, etc added as an attachment on the Cognito Form link

• Grant Application Guidelines and Forms

• 2021 Farm Transition Grant Appendix B: Budget Fillable Form in Excel format

• 2021 Farm Transition Grant Appendix C: Grant Narrative Fillable Form in Word Format