CT RC&D's FarmUp Pilot Program
Your one stop shop for personalized agricultural technical assistance
What is FarmUp?
CT RC&D’s FarmUP Program provides one-on-one assistance to new, existing, Veteran, under-served farms and agriculture-based rural small businesses with navigating the many programs and incentives available here in Connecticut.
Who runs FarmUP?
CT RC&D in collaboration with a network of partners with many years of combined experience in the industry. With funding support from USDA Rural Development.
How can FarmUP help my farm?
Let’s face it, starting and running a farm business can be overwhelming. CT RC&D’s FarmUp program can help you through:
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one-on-one confidential consultation navigating programs and funding options provided by USDA and other federal, state, and local agencies
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Support Resources
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Business Planning
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Networking Connections
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Educational Opportunities
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Assistance in navigating the numerous people, websites, programs, and funds that will help make your farm and business successful
To apply for FarmUP or Veteran FarmUP assistance, fill out the form below
Once we’ve received your application, a CTRCD team member will be in touch with you to arrange a meeting to provide you with direct assistance.
Monthly CT Farmer Veterans Meetings
Join us!
Are you a veteran farmer, a veteran interested in agriculture as a new career, or a stakeholder who wants to support Veterans farming in the state? Then join the newly formed CT Farmer Veteran Coalition Chapter for their monthly meetings as they implement their mission to mobilize Veteran farmers to cultivate agricultural solutions for a vibrant and sustainable Connecticut.
To read the full Press Release visit CT Department of Agriculture's website here:https://portal.ct.gov/doag/press-room/press-releases/2024/march/ct-doag-funds-21-agricultural-enhancement-grant-projects
To learn more about the Agricultural Enhancement Grant visit: https://portal.ct.gov/doag/adarc/adarc/grants/agricultural-enhancement-grant
Homegrown by Heroes in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture in working with the CT Farmer Veteran Coalition Chapter and CT RC&D has supported the creation of the Connecticut Grown Homegrown by Heroes Label.
The Homegrown By Heroes label (HBH) is the official Farmer Veteran branding program of America and is administered nationally by the Farmer Veteran Coalition. It certifies all military eras to sell their product as Veteran owned and produced. The label informs consumers that agricultural products donning the logo were produced by U.S. military veterans, and it allows veterans to differentiate their farm products in the marketplace.
To incorporate this logo into marketing materials for products produced on your CT farm or your website please complete the CT Department of Agriculture's Logo Request Form HERE.
Resources & Helpful Links
Would you like to connect and network with other growers and stay up to date about available services?
As part of CT RC&D's FarmUP Initiative, we are looking to generate a New and Beginning Farmers List, as well as a Military Veteran Farmer's List to get a better sense of the growers in our state. Your help in sharing this form and/or answering these questions will allow us to provide valuable resources to these groups. This information will not be shared, and answering the questions through this Google Form will only be used within our organization for identifying farms who can benefit from the assistance being provided. Answering these questions should take less than 5 minutes to complete.
If you are a New and Beginning Farmer, please fill out THIS FORM
If you are a Veteran Farmer, please fill out THIS FORM
This program is made possible by a USDA Rural Development RBDG Grant.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.