Summary - Agriculture
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Agriculture (Draft - August 4, 2008)
NW CT EDC Goal:
- Develop long range strategic plans for a healthy, sustainable economic environment for NW CT.
Task Team Goals:
- Develop a long term (10-20 years) comprehensive plan which benefits the entire region.
- Develop long range strategic plans for a healthy, sustainable economic environment for NW CT.
Guiding Questions:
- How can farms and forests be utilized economically while maintaining their agrarian character?
- How can local farmers/producers earn a sustainable income in agriculture?
- How can the region work together to support local farmers and producers?
Guiding Principles:
Litchfield County has a long history of dairy farms. Many of them no longer operate as dairy farms. An aging population and the lack of profitability are the main issues.
Zoning regulations don't always accurately reflect changing economic trends in agriculture.
CT used to have an extensive state support system for agriculture. That system has been drastically reduced over the past 20 years.
As dairy farms have decreased, livestock farms have increased.
Farmers markets have provided strong support for local producers. Eating locally grown food has a lot of support within the region and throughout the country.
Community Supported Agriculture provides opportunities for land trusts to cooperate with potential growers in need of financial assistance.
Agri-Tourism is a growing trend. It provides a way for people to reconnect to the region's agricultural past.
75% of Litchfield County is forested as compared to 50% of CT. Most of the forested areas contain low quality 60-90 year old trees. There are few actively operated saw mills in NW CT.
Many local farmers have a second job with health insurance benefits. It is very difficult to depend solely on income from a farm operation.
Farming/Forestry techniques need to match environmental concerns (i.e. fertilizer run off, river setbacks, air pollution requirements).
Suggested Overall Strategies
A regional inventory of all agricultural assets would help to guide decisions about the future of agriculture in NW CT. This inventory could include equipment resources, farm land, forested areas and livestock
State-wide support systems need to be re-established to better support agriculture. State inspections and supervision will be necessary to rebuild an agricultural infrastructure.
Smaller regional agricultural support systems would enhance local efforts to rejuvenate the agriculture economic sector.
There is a need for infrastructure to support the growing livestock industry in NW CT. There is a shortage of processing, packaging and storage facilities within the region.
With the addition of numerous farmers markets throughout the region, it would be beneficial to create networking opportunities to maximize that experience for both vendors and customers.
Transporting products to multiple markets can be problematic and costly. Providing a flexible and responsive transportation network would enhance the producers' ability to supply multiple markets.
Zoning regulations should be updated to reflect current trends in agriculture including farmers markets and wineries.
A network of land trust officials and community supported agriculture proponents could provide creative economic solutions for local agriculture.
Forest management of state owned lands could be managed through a closely supervised program to allow thinning and replanting (not clear-cutting). This could become self supporting with an initial state grant to establish responsible stewardship of state owned forests.
Orchards are a good match for the region's climate and glaciated soils. This could be another way to preserve local farm land.
Encourage land lease opportunities for potential growers lacking the financial assets to buy their own land. Land trusts could provide land for these community supported gardens.
Encourage local communities to establish an ordinance protecting local farms and forests from over-development.
Allow multiple uses for farms and wineries (i.e. art galleries, farm stores).
Establish a goal for locally grown food in all public schools throughout the region. This would increase the connection between students and locally grown food. It would also encourage local producers to increase capacity to meet those needs.
Supporting and developing city centers helps to prevent sprawl.
Equestrian centers are popular throughout the region and are closely connected with the local tourist economy.
Components
Farms
Preserving farm land is beneficial economically if farmers can earn a sustainable income.
A variety of state grants are available to assist and support local farmers.
Dairy farms are continuing to decrease, but there is an increase in farms raising livestock.
Processing, packaging and transportation infrastructure needs upgrading in NW CT to support the growing livestock industry.
Farmers' Markets
There has been a large increase in farmer's markets throughout NW CT.
These markets help to connect the local communities with the local producers.
These markets help local producers to market and sell their products.
There is a national trend to buy locally grown food and to support local producers.
Forests
A large majority (75%) of Litchfield County is forested.
Some of these forested areas are privately owned, but large areas are also state-owned.
Due to a lack of state funding, many of the forested areas are not managed in a consistent manner.
Thinning and good forest management techniques would be beneficial to the forests and might become a source of fuel for pellet stoves or bio bricks.
Land Trusts & Open Space
Encourage land trusts to designate sections for community supported agriculture.
Lease land to farmers not able to purchase land.
Provide educational opportunities for individuals/ groups interested in creating community gardens/farms.
Agri-Tourism
Providing hands-on experiences for visitors interested in learning more about agriculture and forestry would combine tourism with the region's agricultural heritage.
Related Articles/Links:
Issues identified during Scenario Planning (March 28 & April 28, 2009):
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