Agriculture

More on Agriculture

USDA Reopens CFAP Purchasing Program to Dairy, Shellfish, and Other Farmers with Newly Authorized Federal Funding

April 6, 2021 Press Release

“There’s a lot more work ahead to help our farmers and fishermen to get back above water and recover from this pandemic, but this announcement from the Biden Administration that next shot in the arm we’ve all been waiting on,” said Rep. Courtney.

The American Rescue Plan Provides New Support to Small Businesses, Restaurants, and Farmers

March 16, 2021 Press Release

“We had over 4,000 folks in eastern Connecticut join us on last night’s town hall, and there’s no question that people have been waiting for the support that the American Rescue Plan provides,” Courtney said.

Connecticut Fishermen Secure Increase in Black Sea Bass Quota Following Support from Connecticut Congressional Delegation

February 2, 2021 Press Release

NORWICH, CT—Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Reps. John Larson (CT-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05), announced that Connecticut fishermen have officially secured an increase in commercial harvest quota allocations for black sea bass. Today’s announcement comes following the Connecticut Congressional delegation’s recent outreach to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council (ASMFC) in support of Connecticut’s fishermen.

Courtney and House of Representatives Pass Bipartisan Bill to Provide $483 Million in Funding for Sea Grant

November 17, 2020 Press Release

“UCONN’s Connecticut Sea Grant program has worked to support our local fishermen and shellfish farmers for years,” said Congressman Courtney.

CT Shellfish Farmers and Fisheries Now Eligible for $1.8 Million in Federal Relief through CT DEEP, in Addition to New Direct Payments through CFAP 2

October 15, 2020 Press Release

“Approval of Connecticut’s spending plan means that two streams of federal COVID financial assistance are officially on the table for an industry that has been excluded for months now,” Congressman Joe Courtney said.

USDA Announces Extension of Summer School Meals Programs Following Letter from Rep. Courtney and 84 Members of Congress

October 14, 2020 Press Release

“I’ve stopped by several of our local school meal distribution sites in eastern Connecticut, and I’ve seen firsthand how much our communities have relied on the new flexibility Congress authorized for our Summer Meal Programs,” said Congressman Courtney.

Courtney Joins Governor Lamont at Bill Signing Ceremony to Advance Connecticut Industrial Hemp Industry

October 13, 2020 Press Release

“The bipartisan budget we passed last month gave states like Connecticut more time to revise and approve their industrial hemp production pilot programs, and today’s bill signing means that we’re moving ahead on schedule,” said Rep. Courtney.

Courtney Provides Updates on New USDA Financial Assistance Opportunities for Shellfish, Hemp, and Other Eastern Connecticut Farmers

September 21, 2020 Press Release

NORWICH, CT – Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued updated information for eastern Connecticut shellfish, hemp, dairy, and other farmers regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “round two” of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2). Last Friday, after months of pushing USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to expand federal assistance to Connecticut shellfish farmers, Courtney announced that USDA had finally made shellfish farmers eligible for financial assistance through CFAP.

After Repeated Calls for Support from USDA, Connecticut Lawmakers Announce Long-Awaited Financial Assistance for Shellfish Farmers

September 18, 2020 Press Release

“Congress authorized billions in federal assistance for our farmers, but USDA’s decisions on what to do with that funding for the past three months have put our Connecticut shellfish farmers in real financial jeopardy."

Connecticut Lawmakers Push USDA for More Assistance to Shellfish Farmers

September 16, 2020 Press Release

This week, Rep. Courtney was joined by the Connecticut delegation in writing a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to continue pressing USDA to find avenues to expand federal resources to aid shellfish farmers in Connecticut and throughout the country.