| JULY 1, 2025 -- Editor’s Note: In lieu of Noel’s regular column, he has asked us to print a summary of the Connecticut Farm Bill passed by the General Assembly on June 4.
The Connecticut General Assembly concluded the 2025 legislative session with strong support from both the House and Senate chambers to make historic investments in Connecticut agriculture.
Several bills were combined into an omnibus package, SB 1497, which became known as the “Connecticut Farm Bill,” encompassing priorities across the agricultural community.
- Creates a 20% refundable business tax credit for farmers’ investment in eligible machinery, equipment, and buildings;
- Increases the annual farm machinery property tax exemption from $100,000 to $250,000;
- Allows the use of drones in pesticide application for farmers, to be permitted through DEEP;
- Exempts hoop houses and high tunnels from permitting and construction standards under the state building code;
- Creates a Farmers’ Crop Loss Reimbursement Grant Program, to be bond funded;
- Grants limited immunity from civil liability to agritourism businesses;
- Creates a Manure Management Grant Program, to be bond funded;
- Creates a Shipping Container Grant Program for the purchase and operation of container farms, to be bond funded;
- Extends a ban on soil amendments with biosolids containing PFAS;
- Adjusts the state’s shellfish harvest season;
- In addition, the newly renamed Donald Williams Community Investment Act received additional funding increasing the annual allocations to the following programs:
- $625,000 annual to the Agricultural Viability Grant
- $625,000 annually to the Farm Transition Grant Program
- $125,000 annually to support CT Grown
- $93,750 annually for CT Farm Link
- $59,375 annually to Seafood Development Council
- •$31,250 annually for CT Food Policy Council
- The above are currently awaiting signature by Governor Ned Lamont to become law and the Office of Fiscal Analysis will produce final detailed budget sheets. Connecticut Department of Agriculture will then begin internal discussions on new program implementation for the programs indicated and will continue to communicate updates to the state’s agricultural producers and stakeholders.
As always, should you have any questions on any of the legislation that passed this session, please reach out to Kayleigh Royston, Director of Government Affairs at kayleigh.royston@ct.gov.
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