Milford Awarded State Farm Grant for Shellfish Pollution Survey

The City of Milford is among the more than 40 farms, agricultural non-profits and municipalities that will receive state funding as part of an ongoing effort to expand Connecticut’s growing agricultural economy, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky announced Thursday.

“Our diverse and vibrant agriculture sector is an important economic driver for our state with enormous potential for future job creation and economic growth,” Malloy said. “These grants are a clear sign that we can both preserve our agricultural heritage and help it expand and create jobs.”  

Milford Study

The city is receiving a farm viability grant for a pollution source survey of Wepawaug River for protection of shellfish beds. 

The state is awarded Milford $6,720 for the project, which has a total projected budget of $14,627.

The $880,327 in funding was made through the Agriculture Department’s Farm Transition Grant and Farm Viability Grant programs, designed to increase farm production, promote Connecticut Grown products and create jobs. 

The funding — which requires a match from the grantee — will leverage nearly $2.4 million in investments.

Competitive Basis

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis and a match must be supplied by the applicant. The Department of Agriculture’s share of the budget is capped at $49,999 in matching funds.  Grantees have up to one year to complete their project, according to the terms of their contract.

Funding is not limited to producers. Non-profit organizations and municipalities also are eligible, and may use the grants for town or regional planning purposes provided that agricultural components are involved. The Department of Agriculture plans to open up the grant-application period again in November.

For more information on these grants, please visit the Department’s website atwww.ct.gov/doag/. Click on: “Programs and Services” and then: “Agriculture Viability Grants.”