State Senate President Pro Tempore and the father of the Community Investment Act (CIA), Sen. Don Williams, will be hosting a press conference which will mark the impact of more than 600 successful CIA projects. The conference will be help in Room 1C of the Legislative Office Building on Tuesday April 19 at 11 a.m.  The public is encouraged to attend.

 

The press conference kicks off an exhibit which provides examples of how the Community Investment Act has protected farmland and expanded farm business opportunities across Connecticut.  It will be on display April 18-29 at the Connecticut State Capitol. The display will be located on the walls of the underground concourse which connects the Legislative Office Building (LOB) to the State Capitol. (More information)

 

From development of a program that has expanded underserved Bridgeport residents’ access to fresh local produce to the permanent protection of a working orchard in Granby, the exhibit highlights the important work that has been accomplished throughout the state over the last five years using funding from the CIA. The innovative 2005 law uses funds collected through municipal recording fees for farm business improvements, farmland protection, dairy support open space and historic preservation, and affordable housing.

 

Other agricultural success stories highlighted in the exhibit include:

Sharon: Protection of 144 acres of farmland on the Wike Brothers Farm enabled the farm, which raises free range chickens and naturally grown pigs and cattle, to make needed farm improvements, such as replacing barn roofs.

 

East Hartford: Futners Farm constructed a new greenhouse for tomato production to expand this third generation vegetable farm and greenhouse business, which capitalizes on its urban location to meet consumer demand for locally grown food.

 

Six northeastern towns: The Farmer’s Cow received grants to create a promotional plan to enhance brand recognition of its milk and to design and implement a marketing, ordering, billing, and distribution system to more effectively sell its milk.

 

Preston: Maple Lane Farm transitioned from a mushroom growing facility to hydroponic greenhouse on a farm that produces Christmas trees, orchard fruit, and berries.

 

New Haven: Common Ground established the Harvest Pavilion to help ensure the continued viability of the urban farm by increasing the capacity to grow, process, store, and market produce.

 

East Canaan: Freund’s Farm used dairy support payments to pay debt, balance sheets and expand a cow pot operation.

 

Old Lyme: Judges Farm constructed a photovoltaic solar system for generation of electricity to power irrigation and production systems for wholesale perennial plant production. Sandy Hook: Rowledge Pond Hatchery installed new deep infiltration wells for a trout hatchery, supporting sales at farmers markets, fish and game clubs, and conservation organizations.

 

The CIA success story display is free of charge and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The concourse can be accessed from the first floor of the LOB, located at 300 Capitol Ave. in Hartford

 

In addition to the Connecticut Farm Bureau,  CIA coalition members involved in the display include American Farmland Trust, 1000 Friends of Connecticut,  Connecticut Farmland Trust, Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Connecticut Housing Coalition, Connecticut Land Conservation Coalition, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, ConnecticutTrust for Historic Preservation, Partnership for Strong Communities, The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and Working Lands Alliance.