CT DoAg announces $837,900 investment increasing sustainable farm-to-school programs in 21 projects statewide

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAg) is proud to announce an $837,900 investment through the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant program, which will support 21 innovative projects across the state. These initiatives are expected to positively impact more than 58,500 children by increasing access to fresh, locally grown foods and enhancing farm-to-school connections.

Through this latest round of funding, the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant program continues to strengthen Connecticut’s local food system by fostering partnerships between schools, early childhood education centers, farmers, and community organizations. The 21 selected projects span urban, suburban, and rural communities, and include efforts such as school gardens, nutrition education, farm field trips, and procurement of CT Grown farm products for school meals.

“This investment reflects our commitment to nourishing both the minds and bodies of Connecticut’s youth,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “By connecting children with fresh, local food and agricultural education, we’re cultivating healthier communities and a stronger local economy.”

This highly competitive grant program received 41 applications for the full grant awards with funding requesting exceeding $1.6 million. Projects were reviewed by committee and those moving forward have individual award amounts ranging from $12,323 up to $50,000. The fiscal year 2026 CT Grown for CT Kids full grant awardees are:

See the Message Center below for Connecticut’s top November events — from Hartford Wolf Pack games to events at Fairfield Theatre Company — and don’t miss our links for Connecticut merch by town!

Track 2: Farm & Family Learning (ECE & Beyond Grant)

Green Village Initiative, Inc., Bridgeport, $49,500: Install indoor hydroponic systems in ten Bridgeport ECE centers, training educators and engaging families in year-round nutrition education using CT-grown produce to promote healthy eating and food literacy.
Mansfield Discovery Depot, Storrs/Mansfield, $36,170: Enhance the gardening, farming and nutritional education opportunities for preschool aged children, families, MDD staff, and local community through experiential learning, and partnerships with local CSA, farmers, master gardeners.
Riverfront Children’s Center, Groton, $12,323: Fostering multi-generational, community-based food literacy and agricultural awareness through thoughtfully designed, age-appropriate kitchen, garden, and livestock activities that will engage and delight both children and adults.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children LLC, Norwalk, $50,000: Connects young learners, families, and farms with CT-grown food education, hands-on gardening, and family workshops promoting wellness, cultural connection, and sustainable community growth.
The Cozy Den Childcare LLC, New Haven, $46,296: Kidz Kook is a literacy and STEM-based wellness enrichment project that turns storytime into hands-on learning for children and families through cooking, gardening, reading, and exploration. It makes education interactive, fun, and nourishing.
Women’s League Child Development Center, Hartford, $49,687: Establish vegetable gardens and a greenhouse that will provide fresh, healthy produce for our children and their families while fostering meaningful educational opportunities, to further enhance our STEAM based curricular approach.

Track 3: Local Procurement Assistance

City Seed, New Haven, $50,000: CitySeed provides efficient ordering and delivery of Connecticut grown produce to institutions, including New Haven Public Schools. CitySeed supports New Haven Public Schools in using locally-grown items on our school menus, and aims to expand.
Partners for Sustainable Healthy Communities (Northwest CT Food Hub), Torrington, $26,507: The NWCT Food Hub will purchase the equipment, supplies, and technical assistance needed to obtain third party FSMA certification, enabling them to grow their operations to support about 60 CT farmers and 25,000 K-12 students.

Track 4: Experiential Learning, AgTech, and Innovation

333 Valley Street An Intergenerational Organization Inc., New Haven, $48,130: A hands-on Farm-to-School hub where youth grow food, cook plant-based meals, and learn sustainability through Root Life’s regenerative training program.
Ashford School District, Ashford, $50,000: Connects students, families, and local farms through gardening, cooking, and farm visits, promoting healthy eating, hands-on learning, and community connections rooted in Ashford’s local agriculture.
Brass City Charter School District, Waterbury, $13,000: Build a raised bed garden with middle school students, plant seedlings raised by elementary students, and take early-grade students to visit local farms. All students will participate in taste tests of items from gardens and local farms.
Cheshire School District, Cheshire, $49,960: Program expansion to include processing locally grown produce in our school kitchen and hosting a CTG4CTK event for students.
East Hampton School District, East Hampton, $49,515: The Field to Fork Project connects science and culinary students who grow and cook local food using hydroponics and garden beds, partnering with farms to supply produce, teach sustainable practices, and strengthen the local food system.
Franklin Elementary School, N. Franklin, $39,500: Establishment of a dedicated agriculture facility at Franklin Elementary School to serve as a collaborative space for students to work directly with local farmers and learn about agriculture in a hands-on way.
Great Path Academy at CT State Manchester, Middle College Magnet School, Manchester, $35,495: Using Experiential Learning, On-Campus Production, and Local Procurement, the program connects students to local farms to teach the food system from cultivation to consumption.
Marlborough Elementary School, Marlborough, $25,000: Greenhouse will be incorporated into curriculum for science, math and social studies, among other subjects and serve as a cornerstone project of the new student sustainability club.
Newtown Board of Education, Newtown, $49,637: This collaborative, inter-district project develops a new garden for Newtown Special Education Students and campers, enhances existing gardens at three of Newtown’s schools, and results in curriculum alignment and long-term planning district-wide.
Plainville School District, Plainville, $49,883: Build a 19’x30′ greenhouse in the field by the school to act as an outdoor learning space for K-5 classrooms and the Garden Club.
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, Bridgeport, $35,980: Transforming a vacant lot into an outdoor STEM learning garden, where youth explore gardening, hydroponics, and pollinator pathways to build curiosity, confidence, and collaboration through hands-on discovery.
Waterbury School District, Waterbury, $49,887: Implement a farm-to-school initiative that will greatly enhance the capacity of Wilby High School to deliver Agriculture education that includes expansive experiential learning for students.
Yoco Roots LLC, Hartford, $21,438: Over one year, 40 students will engage in hands-on agricultural education integrating Indigenous and climate-smart farming, nutrition literacy, and entrepreneurship.

To learn more, including success stories from previous recipients, visit the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant webpage.

Don’t miss

• Lake Compounce to kick off 2025 Holiday Lights on November 28
• Palace Danbury to stage holiday musical mystery “Who Sleighed Santa?”
• New York Comedy Club Stamford announces Adult Bingo Night in December and DL Hughley shows in January

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

We have your Connecticut gifts

Show your Connecticut pride with our exclusive Connecticut merch, featuring designs that celebrate every corner of the state. From our popular “Just a Kid From…” town series to Patriotic, Coordinates, and other locally inspired styles, each design captures what makes Connecticut home. Explore a variety of items, including T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, tote bags, blankets, and more, all with free shipping. Whether you’re representing your hometown or celebrating your love for the state, these pieces are the perfect way to wear your Connecticut pride every day.

203 • Two O’ Three • 860 • Eight Six O’ • I Really Really Miss Connecticut • Just a kid from Connecticut

Vintage Merritt Parkway Exits
Exit 27 • Exit 28 • Exit 29 • Exit 31 • Exit 33 • Exit 34 • Exit 35 • Exit 36 • Exit 37 • Exit 38 • Exit 39 • Exit 40 • Exit 41 • Exit 42 • Exit 44 • Exit 46 • Exit 47 • Exit 48 • Exit 49 • Exit 50 • Exit 51 • Exit 52 • Exit 53 • Exit 54

Vintage Wilbur Cross Parkway
Exit 55 • Exit 55B • Exit 56 • Exit 57 • Exit 58 • Exit 59 • Exit 60 • Exit 61 • Exit 62 • Exit 63 • Exit 64 • Exit 65 • Exit 66• Exit 67 • Exit 68N-E • Exit 68W

Fairfield County
Bethel • Bridgeport• Brookfield • Danbury • Darien • Easton • Fairfield • Greenwich• Monroe • New Canaan • New Fairfield • Newtown • Norwalk • Redding • Ridgefield • Shelton • Sherman • Stamford • Stratford • Trumbull • Weston • Westport • Wilton

Hartford County
Avon • Berlin • Bloomfield • Bristol • Burlington • Canton • East Granby • East Hartford • East Windsor • Enfield • Farmington • Glastonbury • Granby • Hartford • Hartland • Manchester • Marlborough • New Britain • Newington • Plainville • Rocky Hill • Simsbury • South Windsor • Southington • Suffield • West Hartford • Wethersfield • Windsor • Windsor Locks

Litchfield County
Barkhamsted • Bethlehem • Bridgewater • Canaan • Colebrook • Cornwall • Goshen • Harwinton • Kent • Litchfield • Morris • New Hartford • New Milford • Norfolk •North Canaan • Plymouth • Salisbury • Sharon • Torrington • Warren • Washington • Watertown • Winchester • Woodbury

Middlesex County
Chester • Clinton • Cromwell • Deep River • Durham • East Haddam • East Hampton • Essex • Haddam • Killingworth • Middlefield • Middletown • Old Saybrook • Portland • Westbrook

New Haven County
Ansonia • Beacon Falls • Bethany • Branford • Cheshire • Derby • East Haven •Guilford • Hamden • Madison • Meriden • Milddlebury • Milford • Naugatuck • New Haven • Orange • Oxford • Prospect • Seymour • Southbury • Wallingford • Waterbury• West Haven • Wolcott • Woodbridge

New London County
Bozrah • Colchester • East Lyme • Franklin • Griswold • Groton • Lebanon • Ledyard• Lisbon • Lyme • Montville • New London • North Stonington • Norwich • Old Lyme • Preston • Salem • Sprague • Stonington • Voluntown • Waterford

Tolland County
Andover • Bolton • Columbia • Coventry • Ellington • Hebron • Mansfield • Somers • Stafford • Tolland • Union • Vernon • Willington

Windham County
Ashford • Brooklyn • Canterbury • Chaplin • Hampton • Killingly • Pomfret.• Putnam • Scotland • Sterling • Thompson • Windham • Woodstock

November events at Fairfield Theatre Company

November at Fairfield Theatre Company is packed with a diverse lineup of events, from live music and tribute shows to film and community gatherings. Highlights include Kelsey Waldon on November 1, Color Me Obsessed: A Film about The Replacements and The Monet plays Jamiroquai on the 2nd, Heather Maloney & Dan Rodriguez on the 4th, Brian Dolzani as the Loner: The Music of Neil Young on the 6th, and the FTC Encore Gala on the 8th. The month also features performances by Zoso, Paul Bogaev, Mike Farris, Tropidelic, Black Flag, Mary Fahl, Shemekia Copeland, Marshall Crenshaw, The Jayhawks, and more, including multi-night appearances from Reid Genauer Soloand festive events like Funksgiving. With something for every taste, November at FTC offers music, film, and seasonal celebrations for the whole community.

November 2025 calendar of events
11/28 – Jake Swamp & The Pine
11/28 – Mullett
11/29 – Faster Things

Click here for more information & order tickets.

Learn to cook this fall with AMG Catering

AMG Catering and Events in Wilton, Connecticut, is offering a fall series of cooking classes designed to celebrate seasonal flavors and global cuisine. Each class combines hands-on instruction with perfectly paired beverages, from wine and beer to creative cocktails, as participants learn to prepare a variety of savory and sweet dishes. From autumn-inspired comfort foods to festive holiday treats, these classes provide an interactive, fun experience for home cooks of all skill levels. Join AMG this fall to sharpen your culinary skills, explore new flavors, and enjoy delicious meals in a vibrant, social setting. Click here for more information.

November events at PeoplesBank Arena

11/26 – Springfield Thunderbirds vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets

Your ad here

The Message Center on Finding Connecticut appears on every post across the site, giving your message maximum exposure to a statewide audience. Whether you’re promoting an event, business, product, or service, your message will be seen by thousands of engaged readers exploring Connecticut content every day. Placement runs monthly, making it an ideal option for consistent visibility without the need for daily management. With prominent positioning and a streamlined setup process, the Message Center offers an affordable, effective way to get your message in front of locals—right where they’re already paying attention. Reserve your spot today to get noticed. Click here for more information on Message Center ads. Click here for more advertising opportunities.

Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!

Connecticut with us!

Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Don’t miss our reviews

Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews

Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events

Foxwoods celebrates November with All Star Sumo, John Legend & a season like no other

ICYMI: Our top 5 visited stories of the week

CT DoAg announces $837,900 investment increasing sustainable farm-to-school programs in 21 projects statewide