What is the AGvocate Program?
AGvocate is a grassroots program providing a forum for municipal officials, agricultural producers, and other stakeholders to strengthen the farm-friendliness of Connecticut towns. In the past, the AGvocate program received funding from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture through a Farm Viability Grant to promote agriculture by supporting the creation of committees and commissions at the municipal level to support local farmers while helping residents understand the importance of agriculture in their town.
The AGvocate Program is administered by CT RC&D in partnership with a steering committee comprised of members from The Last Green Valley, USDA FSA, USDA NRCS, USDA RD, UConn Extension, participating communities, agricultural businesses, and other federal, state, and non-profit agencies and organizations.
How We Support Connecticut Farms
The fourteen towns that participated in the AGvocate Program have all made significant strides in promoting agriculture at the local level. This includes implementation of Right to Farm ordinances, updating zoning regulations, including agriculture in Plans of Conservation & Development, and promoting agriculture at the local level through events for producers and the public.
The AGvocate Program has created brochures while working with each town to showcase their agricultural products and services, and has also developed “Farms in our Community” and “Living Next to a Farm” brochures to teach residents how to be good neighbors to farms.
AGvocate has hosted numerous workshops, including a “Train the Trainer” workshop and regional conferences to showcase the value and need of agriculture in the community and to provide an opportunity to learn about programs and projects that can bolster the farming community.
Since the Program’s creation, the direct assistance provided to municipalities, the “Train the Trainer” sessions, and the program template have led to the existence of 35+ agricultural committees and commissions across the state.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has built upon the success of the AGvocate Program, including the existence of a local Agriculture Commission as one of the prerequisite conditions for eligibility of its Community Farms Preservation Program.
part of the community
Connecticut Agriculture Commissions
Connecticut's many agriculture commissions are an essential part of the fabric of the state. Look at the map to find the commission nearest you.
