HARTFORD —Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) encouraged Connecticut’s beginning and aspiring farmers to apply for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new $5.6 billion commitment to serve new farmers and ranchers. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Murphy recently requested this robust federal investment to support, educate, and train beginning farmers. Murphy hopes to strengthen opportunities for Connecticut’s beginning farmers by highlighting federal assistance programs that could enhance their access to training, technical assistance, and capital.

In Connecticut, nearly one-third of farms are considered “beginning farms” and are operated by individuals with less than 10 years of farming experience. Between 2007 and 2012, Connecticut experienced a 15.1% increase in the number of principal farm operators with less than 10 years of experience – one of the largest increases in the nation. 

“Connecticut’s farmers contribute a whopping $2 billion to the state’s economy each year. Their value is clear, but it can be especially challenging for beginning farmers to get their businesses running. As I’ve toured farms throughout the state, I hear the same thing: access to money and training can be hard to come by,” said Murphy. “The bottom line is that Connecticut’s new farmers need our help. The USDA’s new $5.6 billion commitment can help them get the tools they need to break into our state’s booming agricultural industry.” 

In addition to the USDA’s $5.6 billion commitment, the Department also announced the launch of a new website designed to connect farm entrepreneurs with programs and resources available to help them get their businesses started. The site features advice and guidance – from writing a business plan, to obtaining a loan, to filing taxes. Farmers can also use the site’s Discovery Tool to build a personalized set of recommendations of programs and services that may meet their needs.

Any Connecticut farmer interested in learning more about these resources is encouraged to call Senator Murphy’s Hartford office at 860-549-8463.