Climate Smart Equipment Hubs
Agricultural Equipment Sharing Across Connecticut
CT RC&D's Equipment Sharing Hubs enable agricultural producers the opportunity to cooperatively use equipment, develop a network for information sharing, and implement climate smart practices on their farms. This enables farmers to increase soil health without the potentially cost-prohibitive investment of purchasing equipment on their own.
The hubs encourage soil health practices (identified by USDA NRCS) including, but not limited to, planting of cover crops, conservation crop rotation, conservation tillage (no-till/low-till) mulching, composting, nutrient management, and improved grazing and pasture. The Hubs accept new users on a rolling basis until capacity is reached.
The hubs are funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Climate Smart Agriculture & Forestry Grant, which was established by the Community Investment Act (C.G.S. Sec. 22-26k). A portion of the grant funds were utilized to implement and support four Equipment Sharing Hubs. One Hub is housed in and provides access to farmers in each of the following regions: the CT River Valley, Northeastern CT, and Northwestern CT. A fourth Hub is housed by and accessible to Farmer Veterans. This project provides access to climate smart equipment for three growing seasons (2024-2027) while fostering collaborative education in geographically diverse areas.
This project enables more agricultural producers to cooperatively use equipment, develop a network for information sharing, and implement climate smart practices on their farms, thereby increasing soil health without individually buying each of the equipment implements on their own. Some climate smart and soil health practices (identified by USDA NRCS) include, but are not limited to, planting of cover crops, conservation crop rotation, conservation tillage (no-till/low till), mulching, composting, nutrient management, improved grazing and pasture, and land management in agricultural operations.
Agricultural Hub Locations
The Climate Smart Agriculture Equipment Sharing Hubs are funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Grant, established by the Community Investment Act (C.G.S. Sec. 22-26k).
What Do the Hubs Offer?
Tips for Using the Equipment
Check out our video library for tips on equipment operations. Plus, read the summary report for the Compost Tea Equipment Mobile Unit 2025 Educational Pilot Project.
No-Till Drilling in a Field with Esch 5612
Equipment in Action: Digital Demo, Zimmerman Farm
Great Plains No-till Drill Instructions
Using a Cover Crop Roller - Crimper
BCS Two-Wheel Tractors: Simple Tractor Operation Instructions
BCS 853 Diesel: Setup, Controls, Functions, Maintenance Overview
Setting Up and Using The Two Row John Deere Planter
No-Till Corn Planting John Deere 7000
CCCD Spreader Rental Guide
Who is Eligible for the Equipment Sharing Hub Program?
This program is designed to support for-profit farm businesses in the State of Connecticut.
- Agricultural producers, singularly or jointly, whether such producers are owners or tenants of existing agribusiness within the State of Connecticut.
- Agricultural cooperatives
- To qualify, eligible entities must also meet the following criteria:
- Be the farm owner and engaged in the production and sales of agricultural products for at least one full year.
- Be registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State, if established as a business entity such as a limited liability company or corporation. Sole proprietorships and DBA’s (doing business as) are also eligible.
- Apply for or possess a Farmers’ Tax Exemption Permit through the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. Click here for more information on how to apply for your exemption permit. Any questions on receiving your exemption permit, send an email to: DRS@ct.gov
- Businesses farming on land that is leased or rented must include a Landlord Consent Form between all necessary parties regarding the submitted project.
- All applicants should be in good standing with the Department of Agriculture, state, and federal requirements.
How to Participate
With Climate Smart Agriculture Equipment Sharing Hubs now operating on Host Farms statewide, CT RC&D is accepting applications from farms interested in becoming Equipment Hub Users. Potential Users may apply to participate in one hub of their choice by submitting the brief electronic application and uploading the Equipment Sharing Hub Application Form. Users will be accepted into a Hub as space allows.
Farms will not receive any direct payments through participation in this Climate Smart Equipment Sharing Hub program. The benefit of this project is access to equipment for implementing climate smart practices and improving soil health on the farm. Each participating farm will be required to provide in-kind time to assist with monitoring the results of equipment used on their farm for the duration of the project, which concludes on 6/30/27.
What Will Users Be Responsible For?
- Signing a contract and providing required documentation of vehicle transport insurance, farm liability policy, workers' compensation (if applicable), and landlord agreement (if applicable).
- Scheduling equipment through an online calendar reservation system,
- Legally transporting the equipment to and from the Host Farm,
- Supplying trained staff to use each piece of equipment reserved for use on their farm,
- Ensuring equipment is cleaned, maintained, and kept in good working order,
- Tracking hours of use,
- Documenting results through pictures and video,
- Assisting with soil and biomass testing (paid for by CT RC&D),
- Submitting season-end reports to CT RC&D.
How to Apply
CT RC&D's Climate Smart Agriculture Equipment Sharing Hubs are accepting new Equipment Hub user farms on a rolling basis until capacity is filled.
If the hub you are interested in is full, you may still apply and be added to a waiting list. Users will be invited to join a Hub on a first-come, first-served basis. Please download and complete the Climate Smart Agriculture Equipment Sharing Hub Application form.
Once completed, click "Apply Now"to complete the electronic form and upload the Application form.
Apply for the Compost Tea Mobile Unit
Applications will be accepted until program is filled
Watch required video before applying
Take required quiz after watching video
Complete the application
Send us the application
Email it to programs-team@ctrcd.org
Review the mobile unit user manual
2025 Compost Tea Report Released
CT RC&D worked with CT NOFA to offer an educational Compost Tea Equipment Mobile Unit to 5 farms interested in the practice for the 2025 growing season in partnership with UConn. This traveling educational unit was used to demonstrate to farmers how to brew, apply, and test compost tea. Farmers worked with CT NOFA staff to conduct test trials with the compost tea and biological tests.
2025 Compost Tea Report Released
CT RC&D worked with CT NOFA to offer an educational Compost Tea Equipment Mobile Unit to five farms interested in the practice for the 2025 growing season in partnership with UConn. This traveling educational unit was used to demonstrate to farmers how to brew, apply, and test compost tea. Farmers worked with CT NOFA staff to conduct test trials with the compost tea and biological tests.
Exploring the Benefits of Compost Tea
BCS Tractor Training & Compost Tea Making on the Farm
CT RC&D and partners held an informative field day at Veteran-owned and operated Artza Mendi Farm. The first portion of the day included training on how to safely operate a BCS Tractor and attachments. The second half included an overview on making compost tea and its importance. Please see the "Compost Tea Mobile Unit" section below for PowerPoint slides as well as a recording of Monique Bosch's presentation.
Compost Tea Mobile Unit
CT RC&D is working with CT NOFA to offer an educational Compost Tea Mobile Unit to 5 farms that were selected through an application process that are interested in the practice for the 2025 growing season. This traveling educational unit will demonstrate to farmers how to brew, apply, and test compost tea. Farmers will work with CT NOFA staff to conduct test trials with the compost tea and biological tests. UConn Extension staff will assist with reviewing monitoring data and testing results.
In the video, Monique Bosch presents a "Compost Tea Training."
→ View the PowerPoint Presentation: "An Introduction to Compost Tea"
→ View PowerPoint slides with information about CT RC&D's Compost Tea Equipment Mobile Unit
CT RC&D Compost Tea Mobile Unit Workshop and Demo
On October 21, 2025, CT RC&D gathered with fellow compost enthusiasts, farmers of all experience levels, technical service providers, and partners for a Compost Tea Workshop and Demonstration at Lathrop Farm in Lebanon. The event featured presentations by Monique Bosch of CT NOFA, Domingo Medina of Peels & Wheels Composting, and Mia Maltz of UConn Extension. Hosts and farm owners Andrew Lathrop and Mia Colasuonno also led a tour of their beautiful property, followed by a live demonstration of compost tea brewing in action.