Connecticut farmers begin receiving first Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant payments

Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt announced that payments have started going out to farmers who applied in Round One of the Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant program. More than $4.785 million has been distributed to 27 farms in the first wave of approved payments. The second application period opens Monday, Nov. 9.

Round One drew 145 applications requesting more than $67 million in disaster relief. That exceeds the $52.9 million allocation the Connecticut delegation secured for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s disaster relief funding program. Because of the demand, initial payments have been prorated with a payment factor of 45% for eligible and approved Round One applications, which keeps funding available across both rounds.

“Connecticut farmers have faced extraordinary challenges from severe weather, and we are pleased to begin delivering this critical assistance to eligible producers across the state,” Hurlburt said. He encouraged farmers who have not yet applied to start preparing now and to use the application help offered through partner organizations.

Members of the state’s congressional delegation also weighed in. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who wrote the block grant, said the aid is “starting to hit farmers’ bank accounts” for small and medium-sized farms that endured hailstorms, flooding and other extreme weather. Congressman John Larson called it a first-of-its-kind program that removes barriers that kept small and medium-sized farmers from receiving disaster aid, and Congressman Joe Courtney said the support is providing overdue relief for farms.

The Round Two application period opens at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026. Farmers who did not apply in Round One are eligible. To qualify, they must have earned at least $1,000 in farm income and experienced at least $500 in documented losses from weather-related events in 2023 or 2024.

Payments may cover up to 95% of eligible losses, with a maximum award of $1 million per year, per category. Any insurance payments or other third-party compensation received for 2023 and 2024 losses will be deducted from the final award. The 45% payment factor used in Round One will also apply to all Round Two applications.

After the Round Two period ends and all eligible requests are evaluated, the department will reassess the program’s funding obligations. Depending on the volume and value of approved Round Two requests, a second payment may be issued to all applicants across both rounds.

Farmers can review the required documentation and complete the Adjusted Gross Revenue Worksheets on the state’s Farm Recovery and Support portal. Round One applicants can check their status in their Submittable account or email AGR.disaster@ct.gov.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental and social climate for agriculture. It develops, promotes and regulates agricultural businesses, protects agricultural and aquacultural resources, enforces laws pertaining to domestic animals, and promotes understanding of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture and its contribution to the state’s economy.

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