Department of Agriculture

At a Glance

F. PHILIP PRELLI, Commissioner

Established – 1971

Statutory authority – CGS Sec. 22-1

Central office – 165 Capitol Avenue,

Hartford, CT 06106

Average number of full-time employees - 63

Recurring operating expenses - $4,634,280

Capital purchases - $37,381

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 aqua cultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to public health, animal health and animal care; 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.

Statutory Authority

Statutory authority for the Department of Agriculture can be found In Sections 12, 22 and 26 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Improvements/Achievements 2009-10

COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE

• The Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Department’s in-house promotional efforts continue to complement the 2007 media campaign.

• Continued to operate a large animal rescue facility in cooperation with the Department of Correction at the Gates Correctional Institution in Niantic.

• The new online Farm Link Program continues to expand. The purpose of the program is to interface farmers who wish to lease or sell their agricultural lands with farmers who would like to use the lands.

• Since its inception in 2005 the Agricultural Viability Grants have been awarded to 76 producers, 2 Ag - Cooperatives, 29 Agricultural non-profits and 63 municipalities totaling over $4,592,896 with total project values over $12,100,718.

• Regulations were enacted to replace emergency regulations to protect the public from the spread of rabies from animals for which no vaccine for rabies exist.

• A new program guide for Farmers Market was developed which assist both the Farmers and the Market Masters in understanding the various regulations and rules pertaining to Farmers Markets.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture continued to work on cooperative joint municipal Farmland Preservation Projects with the towns of Suffield, Sharon, Lebanon, New Milford, Woodstock, Ellington and Granby, and completed first joint acquisition with Connecticut Farmland Trust, and a municipal land trust.

• Farm Reinvestment Grants were awarded to eight producers totaling $200,000 for capitol fixed asset and diversification projects. Total project values are over $370,000.

BUREAU OF AQUACULTURE

· Collected and analyzed over 8,000 seawater samples for fecal coliform bacteria, examined 150 phytoplankton samples, 56 PSP verification tests, 291 shellfish coliform bacteria meat analysis and 40 pathology samples. The 291 shellfish tissue samples are analyzed to determine bacteria levels in shellfish prior to harvesting for consumption, after routine and emergency closures, and after transplant operations.

· Implemented a systematic Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin and Vibrio bacteria monitoring program in order to establish baseline data and determine potential human health impacts from toxin and Vibrio levels in shellfish. Vibrio and PSP are naturally occurring in the marine environment but are becoming an increasing threat to human health in the Northeast. Both PSP and Vibrio bacteria have been identified in CT waters; fortunately both have been identified at low levels in recent monitoring. However, a more comprehensive monitoring program for both PSP and Vibrio must be implemented in order to adequately protect the public from illness due to these emerging threats.

• Staff performed sanitary and record inspections of the 115 shellfish harvest vessels, 45 harvest operations and 35 wholesale dealer/distributors as required and numerous follow-up inspections throughout the year.

• Issued 141 Conch Licenses and 137 Seed Oyster Licenses.

· Continued in the transition to a comprehensive GIS geospatial mapping system through the conversion from paper shellfish bed maps to an electronic version which combines natural beds, and town and state commercial beds with the shellfish growing area classifications, pollution sources, sampling stations, etc. These maps are then used by DEP for enforcement and monitoring of harvest, by Environmental Analysts for the Annual, Triennial, and Twelve-Year Comprehensive Growing Area Evaluations, and are made available to other groups such as CT Sea Grant, universities, municipal shellfish commissions, recreational shellfish programs, and Harbor Commissions.

· Completed Twelve Year Shoreline Pollution Source Survey in the City of Norwalk. Data Collected during the survey will be used to compile a Comprehensive Pollution Source GIS database, with the goal of having a comprehensive pollution source database for the entire CT shoreline over the next 5 years. Pollution sources (such as sewage infiltration to stormwater outfalls) discovered during the surveys is investigated to determine where the contamination is originating and are referred back to the town for correction. Investigation of these sources may require a cooperative effort between DA/BA, town health officials, public works departments, local environmental groups, and US Environmental Protection Agency.

· Bureau staff managed a total of 58 Conditionally Approved shellfish areas. These areas are impacted by pollution sources such as stormwater, sewage treatment plants, and mooring fields. These areas require monitoring of rainfall and sewage bypasses seven days a week, 365 days a year. Areas are often managed by a cooperative effort between town health departments, public works departments, treatment plants, shellfish commissions. These Conditional Areas require additional sampling and monitoring, but provide an additional 93,916 acres of valuable commercial and recreational shell fishing areas that would otherwise be unavailable for harvest.

BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE

PRESERVATION

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture developed and distributed four commodity brochures promoting Connecticut producers and Connecticut Grown products in 2009. The Agency will be producing 225,000 new Connecticut Farm Maps for distribution and updating the electronic farm map website. These brochures are distributed to five Connecticut Welcome Centers, United States Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension offices, town halls, and libraries and are available at Department displays, trade shows, presentations, and online at www.ctgrown.gov.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture produces the Connecticut Weekly Agricultural Report, a weekly publication that contains articles of interest to members of the agricultural community, pricing for fruits, vegetables, eggs, hay and slaughter animals and classified advertising.  The Report has a subscriber list of about 1,500 and is also posted on the Department’s website each week. 

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture continues to maintain a positive working relationship with the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Commission on Culture and Tourism as a result of the Agritourism Brochure Distribution Program.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture was awarded $215,896 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (Fiscal Year 06-07) from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops in Connecticut. Funds are being used for 25 projects: 10 conducted by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Marketing Bureau, 13 in collaboration with state producers’ associations and two with Harvest New England, a cooperative of the six New England state departments of agriculture.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture was awarded $123,322 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant-FB (Fiscal Year 08) and established a partnership between the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Funds are being used by the Experiment Station for three research projects that will enhance the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crops.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture was awarded $116,865 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (Fiscal Year 08) from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops in Connecticut. Funds are being used for the planning and design of a new year-round farmers’ market facility on the property of the Hartford Regional Market.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture was awarded $318,809.53 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant-FB (Fiscal Year 09) from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops in 2010. Nine project were awarded - three to commodity association, two to the University of Connecticut, one to the Connecticut Agricultural Station and two the Agency to increase the competitiveness of Connecticut specialty crops.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture was awarded $445,339.20 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant-FB (Fiscal Year 2010) from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Services to increase the competitiveness of Connecticut’s specialty crops in 2010. Nine sub-grantees were awarded – four to commodity associations, one to the agency, two to the University of Connecticut, one to a agricultural nonprofit, and one to a regional agricultural nonprofit.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture regularly updates and develops new pages for the agency website which enables producers to access regulatory statutes and legislation, license and permit applications, information on farmland preservation, and grant applications and information. The website also allows the public to find information about area farms and farmers’ markets along with information on animal control and pet health.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture continues to develop a Connecticut Farmer Database which houses all Connecticut producers’ information and the Marketing Bureau programs they participate in as a result of receiving a $29,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development. A questionnaire requesting information to update the data base was sent to over 7,000 farmers to date over 3,000 have been returned.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is the lead state on a three-day New England-wide agricultural marketing conference in March 2011. Over the three days, more than 800 producers and exhibitors attended the conference in 2009.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture continues to be active with Food Export Northeast to increase Connecticut exports to international markets. Connecticut company participation has increased 200% over the last year. The Agency was actively involved in organizing a buyers’ mission at the Natural Products Expo East held in Boston, MA in early October 2010. The Agency also works with the US Department of Commerce to promote exports.

• The partnership between the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension System continues as the Connecticut Women’s Agricultural Network becomes more established as it serves women producers throughout Connecticut.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture continues to promote farmers’ markets throughout the state. Currently, the state boasts 121 certified farmers’ markets, with over 400 farmers and specialty vendors selling local products and contributing to the local economy. DoAG also administers the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), a rapidly expanding supplemental food program that provides CT Grown fruits and vegetables to WIC (Women, infant, and children) and low income seniors. This program serves over 56,000 WIC Clients and over 30,000 low income seniors. WIC clients receive benefits from their local WIC office, and seniors from their local social services or municipal agent. WIC and senior FMNP clients purchased over $780,000 worth of CT Grown fruits and vegetables in 2009 at authorized farmers’ markets throughout Connecticut.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Connection Agricultural Information Council annually host Ag Day at the Capitol. Over 50 agricultural organizations assemble in the North Lobby and Hall of Flags in the Capitol Building to showcase Connecticut agricultural offerings and showcase the importance of agriculture in Connecticut.

• Using PA-05-228 dollars to support the Farm-To-School Program there are now 87 reported schools and school systems with 47 farmers on our site. There are nine wholesalers listed on our site. They work with over 100 more farmers in the state to distribute locally grown food to schools.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture continued to add listings on Farm Link website, with 132 farm seekers and 58 active farm owners presently listed. We have developed a page specifically for new farmers in Connecticut.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farm-to-Chef Program has grown to 930 members since its inception in October 2006. Seven tours/workshops have been conducted to educate chefs about Connecticut Grown products, and three annual meetings of all members have been held. A monthly email newsletter and other resources are distributed and posted on the website. Program chefs have performed Connecticut Grown culinary demonstrations at farmers’ markets around the state and on WFSB-3, WVIT-30, and WTNH-8 TV.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture issued a total of 15 news releases between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. During the same period, the Department of Agriculture scheduled 51 guests for radio and TV shows to discuss Connecticut Grown products, programs, and related topics.

• Farm Reinvestment Grants totaling $200,000 were allocated to eight Agricultural producers with farmers’ match of an additional $370,000.

• Agriculture Viability Grants were awarded to 20 producers, 10 non-profits and five municipalities totaling over $976,000 with total project values over $2,300,000.

• $10 million in bond funds were approved by the legislature ($5 million in October and $5 million in April) in lump sum funding for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation Program to fund the purchase of development rights to 20 farms, comprised of 2,000 acres. An additional $3 million was funded through the Community Investment Act Program and $2 million of Federal Farmland Protection funds were awarded. Total farms approved for preservation since the inception of the program is 279 farms comprising of 36, 450 acres.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture continues to support the Connecticut wine industry through the Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council, a Council overseen by the Commissioner offering successful marketing and legislative efforts to support the fastest growing sector of agriculture.

• In 2010, the Milk Promotion Board was legislatively mandated and is overseen by the marketing division. Their function is to promote Connecticut dairy products.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation Program received 30 applications comprised of 3,500 acres, while another 60 application requests were made.

• The following were also performed, 24 farm A-2 boundary surveys for acquisition comprised of 2,635 acres have been either completed or are under contract, another sixteen farms were under appraisal.

• The Connecticut Department of Agriculture completed 60 site reviews of proposed state and local projects for impact on prime and important farmland soils were conducted.

• The Commissioner of Agriculture met with his Farmland Preservation Advisory Board quarterly in the months of October, December, March and June. The Commissioner and his Board also developed draft criteria for a community farm preservation program.

• The Connecticut Regional Market, 101 Reserve Road in Hartford, is the largest terminal produce market between New York City and Boston. The market was established in 1950 and consists of 33 acres. It serves both consumers and agricultural businesses. Currently the Connecticut Regional Market consists of 25 tenants who sell and distribute foods including produce and meats. It also houses a Farmers Market seven days a week with over 200 farmers at different times of the year. These farmers sell Connecticut Grown products to consumers and businesses. Planning and design of a new, year-round facility for the farmers’ market is underway, utilizing a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. An existing tenant is erecting a new 48,000 – plus square foot building.

• Through a Federal-State agreement, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture is now offering USDA-GAP/GHP (Good Agriculture Practices/Good Handling Practices) Audits. This is a voluntary audit based, food safety program that verifies adherence to the recommendations made in the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Upon completion and achievement of satisfactory score, the farm/business will receive a certificate from the USDA and be listed on the USDA-Ag Marketing Service website. This program will help Connecticut farmers, re-packers, and wholesalers to remain competitive nationwide and worldwide as the audit based food safety programs are being required more than ever.

• Through the USDA Specialty Crop Block grant the CT Department of Agriculture is offering a GAP/GHP Cost Share Grant. Farms/businesses that successfully pass an audit from an accredited third party auditing firm are eligible for reimbursement. The reimbursement will cover 50% for the cost of the audit, up to $500. This initiative relates to the newly formed USDA-GAP/GHP Program, CT Department of Agriculture is now offering, but also to any third party food safety audit such as USDA, Primus, Safe Quality Food Institute, and various others. Audit based food safety programs are growing in popularity. Cost share programs like this ease the financial burden of new programs farmers and other agriculture related businesses face to help them remain competitive in today’s marketplace.

BUREAU OF REGULATION AND INSPECTION

• The Bureau issued $4,017,102 in Dairy Sustainability Grants to 147 dairy farms pursuant to the provisions of Public Act #09-229.

• Through funding from Avian Influenza (AI) cooperative agreements with USDA, the Bureau has enhanced AI surveillance and control in the state and implemented enhanced measures to identify control and eradicate AI in poultry populations – measures that are essential to maintain international trade and eliminate production loss due to infection. Funding provided by the Bureau to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) at the University of Connecticut enhances AI testing capabilities by supporting personnel and in the purchase of supplies and equipment.

• Other cooperative agreements with USDA provide funding for:
• A dedicated position for the implementation of the National Animal Traceability System for livestock.
• Foreign Animal Disease surveillance.
• Scrapie surveillance program in sheep and goats.

• The Bureau continues to work on Avian Influenza emergency preparedness and submitted an updated Avian Influenza Response Plan to USDA for compliance with requirements of the National Poultry Improvement Plan to provide indemnity payments to poultry producers in the event that their flocks become infected with Avian Influenza.

• Bureau staff, in cooperation with DPH, DEP, the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association and municipal animal control officers, revised the state Rabies Manual with updated guidelines and protocols for the management of rabies. The revised Rabies Manual was placed on the Department’s website to facilitate its use by veterinarians, animal control officers and public health officials.

• The Bureau’s Animal Population Control Program issued 5,397 vouchers for the sterilization and vaccination of dog and cats adopted from municipal pounds, feral cats through grants awarded to non-profit organizations and animals owned by Connecticut residents qualifying under the Program’s low-income grants. Of the total vouchers issued, benefits were provided for 3,535 pets (1,699 dogs / 1,836 cats) resulting in an overall sterilization rate of 66%.

• The Bureau sold 29 horses and two mules to new homes at horse sales conducted by UConn College of Agriculture’s Animal Science Department. The animals had been seized in animal cruelty cases and rehabilitated at the Department’s large animal rescue barn operated in conjunction with the Department of Corrections.

• The Bureau assisted the Town of Harwinton and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad with the seizure, housing and subsequent care of over 300 birds found at a Harwinton residence that were kept for the purpose of illegal cock fighting.
• The Bureau assisted the Shelton Police Department and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad with the seizure, housing, care and subsequent adoption of over 150 finches involved in an illegal finch fighting ring at a Shelton residence. This illegal activity, supposedly common in Brazil, was the first of its kind to be reported in the United States and resulted in 19 arrests.

BUREAU OF REGULATIONS AND INSPECTIONS

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

• The Bureau conducted random tests for the presence of analgesic and performance enhancing drugs on 39 animals entered in pulling contests at Connecticut fairs. The presence of anabolic steroid drugs was detected in three draft horses resulting in both the horses that tested positive and their owners being banned from entering pulling contests for a period of one year.

• Collected and analyzed 691 samples of processed milk, milk products and cheese and 322 samples of raw milk and retail raw milk for testing for compliance with milk safety regulations.

• Conducted 498 inspections of facilities producing, processing or storing milk and milk products.
• FDA conducted two routine check audits of the Bureau’s Milk Safety Program and found it to be in substantial compliance with national standards.
• Issued 12 prohibitory orders regarding the sale of milk and 48 warning notices for product quality and inspection violations.
• Investigated 12 consumer complaints involving milk or milk product defects or alleged illness.
• Collected 380 seed samples, 283 feed samples and 116 fertilizer samples for laboratory analysis conducted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
• Samples collected and submitted to UConn’s CVMDL for livestock and poultry disease surveillance testing included: 7,500 milk samples for mastitis testing; 400 samples for swine brucellosis and pseudorabies testing; 6,850 samples for Avian Influenza testing; and 1005 environmental samples for Salmonella enteritidis (Se) testing as a component of the state’s Se Risk Reduction Program in egg-laying hens.
• Conducted T.B. (tuberculosis) surveillance testing on 6,500 dairy cows as required by the Milk Safety Program.
• Investigated 28 environmental/nuisance complaints related to agricultural activities.
• Investigated 13 livestock neglect complaints.
• Through search and seizure warrants, the Animal Control Division removed 38 horses, five mules, one donkey, two cows, one llama, one pig and numerous pets from animal neglect and cruelty situations.
• Animal Control Division conducted 201 complaint investigations which include 74 animal cruelty complaints and 38 pet shop complaints.
• Animal Control Division issued 17 infractions, 18 summons and five arrests.
• There were 147 confirmed positive rabies cases in animals, five of which were domestic animals. Each case was followed up by State Animal Control to ensure the proper Rabies Management Protocol is followed.