Department of Agriculture

At a Glance

SHIRLEY FERRIS, Commissioner

Bruce H. Gresczyk, Deputy Commissioner

Established - 1971

Statutory authority – CGS Sec. 22-1

Central office - 765 Asylum Avenue,

Hartford, CT 06105

Average number of full-time employees - 68

Recurring operating expenses - $5,211,640

Capital purchases - $7,674

Organizational structure - Administrative Services, Regulation and Inspection, Agricultural Development and Resource Preservation, Aquaculture, and Connecticut Marketing Authority

Mission

The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to foster a healthy economic, environmental and social climate for agriculture by developing and promoting and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state’s citizens of the diversity of Connecticut’s agriculture, its cultural heritage and its contribution to the state’s economy.

Improvements/Achievements 2001-02

Commissioner’s Office

§ Connecticut Agricultural Businesses Cluster established.

§ Provided $633,240 in grants to farmers through the Farm Enhancement program.

§ 2002 Farm Bill work resulted in federal programs applicable to Northeast.

§ Completed feasibility study regarding recycling of agricultural plastics.

Bureau of Aquaculture

§ Developed a disease resistant (F5 generation) oyster for use in the Northeast that exhibits resistance against three major oyster diseases that adversely affect the state’s multi-million dollar industry.

Bureau of Agricultural Development and Resource Preservation

§ Purchased development rights to seven farms (805 acres); established two municipal farmland preservation programs.

§ Developed 19 new farmers’ markets statewide.

• Completed the “Connecticut Farm Map”, a joint venture between the Connecticut Food Policy Council and the Departments of Agriculture and Transportation that shows farms and farm stands that are open to the public.

Bureau of Regulation and Inspection

§ Provided dog bite prevention training to 500 persons.

§ Responded to Avian Influenza outbreak in poultry flock with immediate and decisive action which contained the disease, protecting the state’s four million-bird industry.

Connecticut Marketing Authority

§ Expanded diversity of products and tenants with the addition of a Peruvian produce grower, importer, and distributor, as well as the addition of a wholesale fruit and produce distributor.

Information Reported as Required by State Statute

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities approved the agency’s Affirmative Action Plan.

The Agricultural Technology Unit distributed an annual report to the Commerce and Environment Committees.

An annual status report of the Preservation of Agricultural Lands program was prepared for the Governor and the General Assembly.

The Connecticut Food Policy Council forwarded its fourth Annual Report to the Governor and state legislators.

The Animal Population Control Program Annual Report was presented to the General Assembly and committees of cognizance.

The Seafood Council Annual Report was published and distributed as appropriate.