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Dairy farm in Connecticut receives protection

Property is located in Lebanon, CT

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

In an effort to help protect the state’s agricultural sector, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture decided that a prime-soiled, 22-acre goat dairy farm in Lebanon will remain available for producing ag-products – permanently.

“Beltane Farm is a prime example of a smaller enterprise whose value-added products make a strong contribution to the agricultural economy,” Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky said. “Protecting these kind of working lands is exactly why the Community Farms Preservation Program was created.”

The Community Farms Preservation Program was created in 2011 as a way for smaller farms to receive some funding if they don’t qualify under the Farmland Preservation Program – a program that’s protected more than 300 farms, spanning nearly 40,000 acres.

A grant courtesy of the Farmland Restoration Program also helped clear out ten acres on Beltane Farm that had become overgrown.

Connecticut’s agriculture department contributed 75% of the $150,000 purchase price ($112,500). The remainder was paid for by the Connecticut’s Farmland Trust and the Town of Lebanon.

Owners Paul Trubey and Mark Pearsall have made the farm on Taylor Bridge Road a landmark for lovers of goat’s milk, goat cheese and other products. The farm also houses about 100 goats.

“Paul and Mark have worked hard to turn Beltane Farm into a productive goat dairy and Ag-Tourism destination,” said Lebanon First Selectman Joyce R. Okonuk. “The town supports their efforts and hopes that their success here will draw more new farmers into our community.”

Beltane is the second farm in the state to have this protection. The first was Kassman Farm in Columbia, a 53-acre farm where corn and hay are produced.

Join the conversation and tell us what you think of this dairy farm receiving the designation it did. Is there a farm in your community you think deserves the same kind of recognition?


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Video: US “Flash Drought” Worst in 133-160 Years + Disease taking a Bite out of US 2025 Corn/Soybean Crops


A dry August and a “flash drought” in the ECB (Eastern Corn Belt) the driest top 10 to 15 years in 150 to 160 years (Ohio the driest in 133 years) plus disease is taking a bite out of the 2025 U.S. corn and soybean crops.
It's going to be an early harvest. This could be the start of the 89-year drought cycle that may have been delayed until 2026 as La Nina maybe returning.
The USDA September crop report is all about record corn ears and record soybean counts but the October USDA crop report will be about pod and ear weights.
Stats Canada reported higher forecasts for the 2025 Canadian Prairies all wheat and canola crops vs. last year based on satellite imagery but are they overestimating production?
The 2025 Great ON Yield Tour and Quebec crop tours are projecting corn and soybean crops below the 10-year average.
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U.S. corn exports on record pace up 99% vs. last year.
Fund short covering continues in corn futures bottom is in!