U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.-01), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), Jim Himes (D-Conn-04), and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn-05) on Monday in urging farmers in Connecticut to report losses from extreme weathers events in 2023 and 2024 to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg). Farmers can report losses here.
The Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant, created by Representative DeLauro and championed by members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation, provides $220 million to states in New England, Alaska, and Hawaii to help small and medium-sized farmers receive agricultural relief or aid for losses they experienced in 2023 and 2024 from any weather event. This block grant does not require farmers have crop insurance or a national disaster declaration to receive aid. This ensures that farmers left out of our farm safety net and those who suffer losses due to an extreme and localized weather event are able to recoup their losses.
"We strongly encourage farmers in Connecticut to participate in the CT DoAg survey on weather-related losses from 2023 and 2024,” the delegation said. “This is a critical opportunity to ensure your needs are accounted for as the state prepares to distribute disaster funding for farmers. The Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant provided $220 million in disaster relief funding for farmers impacted by extreme weather events in 2023 and 2024 and is intended to help affected farmers recoup their losses from these unexpected disasters. Farmers sharing the challenges they faced—whether it’s production losses, infrastructure damage, or increased costs due to invasive species—can help CT DoAg understand the scope of the need to address it as best as they can as soon as funding is ready. Please fill out the survey if you experienced these losses – help will soon be available.”
The survey will help the CT DoAg collect information from farmers regarding weather-related losses incurred in 2024 and 2024, as well as losses related to long-term stresses worsened by weather conditions during these two years. The data will help CT DoAg fully understand the scope of the losses so they can quickly divide and disburse funding when it is available. The deadline to complete the survey is Sunday, January 19, 2025.
Source : senate.gov