Department of Agriculture

At a Glance

F. PHILIP PRELLI, Commissioner

Established - 1971

Statutory authority – Sec. 22-1, CGS Sections 12, 22 and 26

Central office - 165 Capitol Avenue,

Hartford, CT 06106

Average number of full-time employees - 57

Recurring operating expenses - $4,878,069

Capital purchases - $21,824

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, 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 2005-06

COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE

§ Continued to operate an equine rescue facility in cooperation with the Department of Correction at the Gates Correctional Institution in Niantic

§ First Agriculture Viability Grants Awards given out totaling $842,000

§ Dairy Farm Reinforcement Program introduced to offset losses in milk prices. The program includes grants, low-interest loans and utility assistance

§ Milk Regulation Board studied and produced a report for the Environment Committee on the Connecticut Milk Industry

BUREAU OF AQUACULTURE

§ Collected and analyzed 5,812 seawater samples for fecal coliform bacteria; examined 242 phytoplankton tows for toxic algal types; and collected 13 shellfish meat samples to verify safety of shellfish at sources of pollution as well as from market areas to develop background data.

§ Completed review of several town natural shellfish beds performing resource and inventory assessments

§ Filled three vacant staff positions and continue extensive training for shellfish sanitation and certification by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration

BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE PRESERVATION

§ Bond funds approved for the purchase of development rights to four farms (331 acres); completed 52 site reviews of proposed state and local projects for impact on prime and important farmland soils

§ Provided $200,000 in state agricultural waste management grants to assist farmers with cost-sharing funds under the Environmental Assistance Agricultural Waste Management Program

§ Developed seven new farmers’ markets statewide and approved eight new agricultural directional signs

• Partnered with the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System in developing and administering and educational curriculum focusing on farm risk management and crop insurance for farm producers in the state
• Received a USDA/Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program Grant to continue a Farm-to-School program to promote the sale of “Connecticut Grown” products involving 41 farms and 51 school districts
• Awarded grant money of completed Farm Reinvestment Grant Program projects to 11 farm producers
• Awarded contracts to 16 farm producers and eight non-profit organizations as part of the Farm Transition grant of the Agriculture Viability Grants Program
• Awarded contracts to 11 municipalities as part of the Farm Viability Program of the Agriculture Viability Grants Program
• Produced 200,000 new Connecticut Farm Maps for distribution
• Completed the creation and application process for the new Connecticut Farm Link Program

BUREAU OF REGULATION AND INSPECTION

· Participated in a nationwide Food and Drug Administration, Food Safety and Security Exercise to evaluate the integrated federal/state food safety and security system

· Participated in the state’s Interagency Task Force for Pandemic Influenza Strategic

· Drafted the state’s Avian Influenza response Plan in cooperation with the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security