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Regional State Representative Round-up
Resources available for flood-struck farms HARTFORD — This has been a very hard year for farmers across Connecticut, Jaime Foster including in the 57th District. From sub-freezes in February and May to droughts in June and flooding in July, the weather has taken its toll on crops. Last month, I asked readers to do whatever they could to support their local farmers and farmers markets. I ask that you continue to do so. This month I will focus on resources available to farmers as they navigate this tough period. This is the time for our community to rally behind our local farms. Shop local. Buy local. Support local farms. In July, I attended a press conference with Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt, Connecticut Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes, Gov. Ned Lamont, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, fellow state representatives, officials from the farming and agricultural community, and most importantly, farmers. One of the topics discussed was the Disaster Relief Resource webpage, which includes initial flood recovery information, and a section to report losses. The webpage can be found here at https://portal.ct.gov/disaster and new resources will be continually added to the site. If you need immediate support, you can call 211 or visit www.211ct.org Among the resources available, there is the AgriStress Helpline for Connecticut. With so many uncertainties in farming and agriculture, it can lead to a stressful. The website ctfarmstressrelief.com offers a variety of resources, including videos and webinars, interviews, digital toolkits, and other tools, to help farmers through stressful times.
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Rep. Jaime Foster attended a recent press conference regarding the July flooding and the impact it had on farms. Rep. Jaime Foster’s office photo There is also an immediate crisis 1,500 acres and nearly $21 million in lost helpline at 1-833-897-2474. sales revenue. Two frost events in February The Department of Agriculture's and May resulted in 1,077 acres impacted, Disaster Relief Resource page also with estimated losses of $8.4 million. offers options for livestock assistance, In his submission, Governor Lamont farm loans, farmland damage, crop loss- told U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas es, rural development, and natural Vilsack that Connecticut received 10.74 resources conservation service. inches of rain so far in July, more than 400% At the time this article was submitted, of the state’s normal rainfall for the month. Governor Lamont had submitted a federal If the request is approved, the declaagriculture disaster declaration request — ration will make farmers eligible for certhe second in just a few months —for all tain federal disaster assistance proeight Connecticut counties, due to the sig- grams, such as emergency loans, to nificant damage that occurred to farms cover production losses they experiand crops statewide, particularly along the enced from the flooding. Connecticut River and other waterways. As always, please contact my office The Department of Agriculture assessed with any concerns you may have. I can flood damage to farms and found that 27 be reached at 860-240-8585 or state farms estimate losses of more than jaime.foster@cga.ct.gov
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