WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) was awarded the National Farmers Union’s 2015 Golden Triangle Award, the organization’s highest legislative honor. The annual award is presented to members of Congress who have demonstrated leadership and support policies that benefit America’s family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and rural communities. 

“Connecticut’s family farms are vital to our state’s $3.5 billion agricultural industry. Our farms perform the vital public service of growing the food and raw materials we all depend on. Connecticut farming is growing, bucking national trends, and that's great news for Connecticut's economy.” said Murphy. “Whether it’s fighting for disaster funds or supporting efforts to stabilize volatile energy and feed costs that could devastate a small farm, I will always fight to protect Connecticut’s family farmers. I am honored to receive this prestigious award and am thankful to the National Farmers Union for the many ways they support Connecticut farmers.”

Murphy’s priorities for Connecticut’s agriculture community include ensuring a strong safety net for the state’s dairy farmers, expanding market access for Connecticut-grown fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants, and making the state’s commercial fisheries and aquaculture more competitive. In the effort to learn firsthand how agricultural policies affect local farms, Murphy has visited several farms across Connecticut as a U.S. Senator, including Cato Corner Farm, LLC, Freund’s Farm, Graywall Farm, Karabin Farms, and Raspberry Knoll Farm.