The Farm Transition Grant Program (FTG) 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.
Donor Name: Connecticut Department of Agriculture
State: Connecticut
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/10/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Funding Priorities
- Projects increasing the availability of livestock processing facilities in Connecticut.
- Projects increasing the utilization of equipment specific to sustainable agricultural practices
Grant Categories
- Four distinct grant categories are available. Applicants must select the category they feel best represents their project. Each applicant may only submit one (1) project to be considered per grant cycle. DoAG reserves the right to adjust the grant category selected by the applicant.
- Successful grant proposals must positively impact farm production and operation; projects must successfully demonstrate moving the farm and business to a new level beyond the status quo of current operations. Quantifiable project outcomes are requested in the application and essential to a competitive application.
- New Farmer Micro Grants
- Supports new and beginning individuals or partnerships with one full year to three years of production history, seeking long-term careers in the CT agricultural industry.
- Maximum award amount: $5,000
- Match requirement: 25% of total project costs
- Supports new and beginning individuals or partnerships with one full year to three years of production history, seeking long-term careers in the CT agricultural industry.
- Infrastructure Investment Grant
- Supports farms with a minimum of three years of production experience, with infrastructure to expand or diversify the farm’s production.
- Maximum award amount: $20,000
- Match requirement: 50% of project costs
- Supports farms with a minimum of three years of production experience, with infrastructure to expand or diversify the farm’s production.
- Research and Development Grant
- Supports farms with a minimum of three years of production history to conduct market research and evaluate the viability of developing a new product, offering a new service, or reaching a new market.
- Maximum award amount: $25,000
- Match requirement: 40% of project costs
- Supports farms with a minimum of three years of production history to conduct market research and evaluate the viability of developing a new product, offering a new service, or reaching a new market.
- Innovation and Diversification Grant
- Supports farms with a minimum of three years of production history with the implementation of a new product or service for market or business expansion. Applicants do not need to have completed a Research and Development Grant through the FTG to be eligible to apply for an Innovation and Diversification Grant.
- Maximum award amount: $49,999
- Match requirement: 50% of project costs
- Supports farms with a minimum of three years of production history with the implementation of a new product or service for market or business expansion. Applicants do not need to have completed a Research and Development Grant through the FTG to be eligible to apply for an Innovation and Diversification Grant.
Project Duration
- Anticipated Contract Start Date: March 15, 2024, or April 1, 2024.
- Project Period: March 15, 2024, through September 15, 2025, or April 1, 2024, through October 1, 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
The following entities are eligible to apply for all Farm Transition Grant categories:
- Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agribusiness within the State of Connecticut.
- Agricultural cooperatives.
- Specific Requirements for Grant Categories:
To qualify for the New Farmer Micro Grant, eligible entities must meet the following criteria: - Be the farm owner and have been in production for at least a full year. For example: the applicant must have been in production in growing season 2023 to qualify for the 2024 Transition Grant.
- Be registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State, if established as a business entity
such as a limited liability company or corporation. - Apply for or possess a Farmers’ Tax Exemption Permit through the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.
To qualify for the Infrastructure Investment Grant, Research and Development Grant, or Innovation and Diversification Grant eligible entities must meet the following criteria:
- Be registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State, if established as a business entity such as a limited liability company or corporation.
- Three years of Farmer’s Tax Exemption Certificates are required to be provided upon request by the Department.
- Tenants must include a Landlord Consent Form between all necessary parties regarding the submitted project.
For more information, visit Connecticut Department of Agriculture.
