Current & Upcoming Programs

Advancing Markets for Producers: Industrial Hemp CT

We are now in the process of recruiting farmers to commit 5 acres to grow hemp. Farmers who grow 5 acres of hemp in one or more of the ‘27-’29 growing seasons will receive:

- $9,166.67/year for the 5 acres of industrial hemp grown ~ just for participating

- Guaranteed buyer for your harvest

- Free hands-on training in hemp cultivation

- Conservation Planning from local Conservation Districts

- Shared equipment for seeding, harvesting & processing hemp

- Join a new collaboration of industrial hemp farmers to invigorate a farmer-powered industry

The Venture Farming Institute

The Venture Farming Institute (VFI): is a cohort-based agricultural training program for aspiring Farm & Land Stewards Who Identify As Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian or Person of Color, And Live in Connecticut & Rhode Island.

VFI is an emerging educational and training program aiming to increase the number of underrepresented farmers in Connecticut & Rhode Island by providing:

• Online Training and Lectures from regional Black, Indigenous, and Latinx Industry Leaders

• Agricultural & Scientific Skill-Building

• Hands-on Farm Field Days

• Technical Support

• Organization of Inter-generational Network Expansion

• Instruction Grounding in Advocacy & Social Justice

Coming Soon!

Urban Farmer Government Academy

CALLING ALL URBAN FARMERS! Interested in understanding how local government affects your farm operations. Confused about local zoning. Learn new skills and network with others in this six week online-course.

Topics include:

Overview of municipal structures

How laws are passed CT-PA 490 and how it might apply to you

Local zoning

Municipal permitting process

More!