WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) applauded committee passage of the FY2017 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which funds many of his budget priorities to help Connecticut farmers and the local agriculture industry. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Murphy successfully fought to secure nearly $34 million to assist young and beginning farmers, $236 million to provide food assistance to 2,400 of Connecticut’s low-income seniors, $1 million in first time funding to support maple syrup producers, and nearly $920 million to support agricultural research at institutions like the University of Connecticut. 

“Connecticut’s farmers provide all of us with healthy, locally grown food and contribute $3.5 billion to the state’s economy each year. We owe Connecticut’s ag community a great deal, and I’m proud that this bill makes investments in local Connecticut farmers,” said Murphy. “I’m especially glad that this bill helps level the playing field and makes it easier for aspiring farmers in Connecticut to launch a business and pursue their dreams.”

Connecticut agriculture contributes $3.5 billion to the state’s economy. According to the 2012 Agriculture Census, there are nearly 6,000 farms across Connecticut, almost double the number in the late 1980s. 

Key highlights of the bill include:

  • $19 million to fully fund the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant.
  • Funding for President Obama’s FY 2017 Budget Request for beginning farmers, including:
    • $8 million for Office of Advocacy and Outreach to support assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and veterans;
    • $2 million for the Farm Service Agency to support regional coordinators to assist beginning farmers overcome barriers such as access to capital and help increase mentorship opportunities; 
    • $2.33 million for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program to support farmer-driven research that will help beginning farmers adopt sustainable agriculture practices;
    • $2.5 million for Food and Agriculture Resilience Program for Military Vets.
  • $236 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to support food assistance for 2,400 low-income seniors across Connecticut.
  • Funding for USDA research programs that support research projects at the University of Connecticut and across the state
    • $375 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
    • $244 million for Hatch Act programs
    • $300 million for Smith-Lever programs
  • $1 million in first time funding for the Acer Access and Development Program to support maple syrup producers
  • Directing USDA to support more organic agriculture research projects.