Rural Resiliency Toolkit Agriculture

Category Description & Vulnerability Overview

Description

In rural communities, agriculture remains an important contribution to resource conservation, regional economies, and community character. Farms and agriculture are prioritized in local comprehensive plans in the Northwest Hills.

In addition to the food system, agriculture provides numerous economic benefits especially through co-benefits through “agri-tourism” such as pick-your-own apples, berries, plums, etc.; event hosting such as weddings; and health/spa/yoga retreats.

Agriculture in Connecticut contributes up to $4.0 billion in output, 21,696 jobs, and significant social and environmental benefits (Lopez, R.A., Boehm, R., Pineda, M., Gunther, P., and Carstensen, F. Economic Impacts of Connecticut’s Agricultural Industry: Update 2015. Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy Outreach Report No. 47, University of Connecticut, September 2017)

According to the Northwest Connecticut Food Hub Feasibility Study (March 2016), agriculture in the region:

Produces diverse products, ranging from standard vegetable products (tomatoes and potatoes) to proteins and dairy to maple syrup and honey.
Has about 1,207 farms across 90,963 acres with the highest number of farms in the state.
Has these top agricultural product categories: dairy, vegetables, fruit, and cattle/calf.

Vulnerability Overview

Maple syrup, dairy operations, warm weather crops, shellfish, and apple/pear production most at risk.
Maple syrup may be impossible by 2080. (See potential maple syrup adaptations)
Increased population of pests/pathogens like colonial worm and water mold.
Increased chance for run-off/leaching during storm events
Increased severe weather like tornado/hurricane/hail/drought and increase in CO2 damage to crops
Farms in low-lying areas at risk of flooding.
Shellfish susceptible to pH changes in ocean.
Too much precipitation and hail/ice could damage fruit.
Changing frost dates create uncertain growing season.
Witch hazel, bio-fuel, grapes may expand production.
Warm weather produce may have longer growing season.
Changes to transportation with threats to rail and ocean shipping routes.
Connecticut may be able to expand food production with decreases in water availability and increases in fires in other regions.
Local skills may increase resiliency.

In addition to the climatic shifts, agriculture is also vulnerable to large market pressures for fuel and product sales, costs of land and equipment, losses of large parcels, and loss of inter-generational farming knowledge. However, there are opportunities as a result of climate change in local food markets, longer growing seasons and certain crops like biofuel, witch hazel, and grapes.

Potential Partners & Funding Streams

Please send any suggested partners, grants, or resources to info [at] joannaw1.sg-host.com.

Potential Funding Streams

CT Resource Conservation and Development
CT Department of Agriculture Farm Viability Grants
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) – CT
USDA Equip
CT Farm Energy Program

General Tools

Adaptation Resources for Agriculture: Responding to climate variability and change in the Midwest and Northeast. Janowiak, Maria, Daniel Dostie, Michael Wilson, Michael Kucera, R. Howard Skinner, Jerry Hatfield, David Hollinger, and Chris Swanston. 2016. Tech. Bulletin 1944. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 70p.

Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy – Review of state adaptation plans that include agriculture.

The Climate Smart Farming program is a voluntary initiative that helps farmers in New York and the Northeastern US. They also have specific resources for small farms.

USDA Adaptation Resources for Agriculture

Best Management Practices for On-Farm Climate Change Resilience in the Northeast: Social, Ecological and Economic Implications. January 20, 2016 Webinar. Presenters/Authors: David Conner, Associate Professor, Rachel Schattman, PhD Candidate, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

USDA Northeast Climate Hub With fact sheets on cover-cropping, managing grazing to improve climate resilience, and weather/climate considerations/

USDA Report on Climate Change and Food Security

UVM- Vermont Farm Resilience in a Changing Climate Initiative

USDA- Extension Centers Education for Extension Professionals, crop advisors and foresters to increase climate literacy

Cornell Northeast Regional Project website for Animal Agriculture and Climate Change

Clovercrest Farm: A Family Dairy in Charleston, Maine

“Unique challenges and opportunities for northeastern US crop production in a changing climate” Journal Article

“Climate change effects on livestock in the Northeast US and strategies for adaptation” Journal Article

American Farmland Trust and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

Freund’s Farm, East Canaan, CT Case Study

Actions

The section is divided into the following major categories:

Increased Management of Resources
Land Use
Infrastructure Changes
Regulatory/Policy Changes
Education/Outreach/Technical Assistance
Bees & Pollinators

A tabular version of the actions is available for printing.

Increased Management of Resources

1Ag Provide incentives for energy and water efficiency through technical assistance and grant programs. Promote policies to reduce energy use, conserve water, and encourage sustainability.

Partners: Farms, USDA, CT RC&D, local land use commissions, energy commissions
Tools: USDA NRCS Energy Audits
CT Farm Energy Program
New York State Resilient Farming (CFR) Program

2Ag Conserve/reduce water use/demand among all user groups for example reduce water losses in distribution systems.

Partners: Farms, USDA, CT RC&D, land trusts
Tools:USDA NRCS
Case Study— Agroforestry in Essex, NY

3Ag Provide incentives for energy and water efficiency through technical assistance and grant programs.

Partners: Farms, USDA, CT RC&D
Tools:USDA COMET-farm
Connecticut Farm Energy Program

4Ag Increase storage of precipitation among all user groups. Remove regulations that prohibit capture of runoff from roofs, parking lots, etc. Allow storage in ponds, cisterns and tanks for use in greenhouses and horticulture operations.

Partners: Farms, local land use commissions, Public Works, CT DOT, Conservation Districts, UConn NEMO
Tools: Coming soon

5Ag Encourage water re-use including, but not limited to: remove regulations, institute health practices, or educate public on how to reclaim water for irrigation, cooling, washing, processing, etc.

Partners: Potential Partnerships: Conservation Commissions
Tools: Coming soon

6Ag Increase soil organic matter and utilize surface cover through cover crops, mulches, crop rotations and tillage practices. Promote good soil/landscape management. Utilize quality land/soil management practices (good drainage, no till agriculture to prevent erosion).

Comments/Descriptions Consider areas of town properties that require periodic cutbacks every few years or suffer from invasive species; these might benefit from cover crops (such as clover to benefit pollinators) or other productive vegetation (fruit/nut trees for the community). Ask Conservation Commission for advice for creating seasonal habitats or appropriate plantings. Consider property's use, i.e., if public access maybe edible ornamentation might be preferable.
Partners: Conservation Commissions
Tools: USDA/RC&D Soil Health workshops and resources

7Ag Identify on-farm adaptations for specialized products such as maple syrup or dairy.

Partners: Farms, USDA, CT RC&D
Tools: Maple Syrup adaptations

8Ag Increase the use of sustainable and organic growing methods and management practices and reduce uses of fertilizers, dyes, pesticides in property management where possible.

Partners: Farms, CT NOFA
Tools: UCS What is Sustainable Agriculture?

9Ag Develop and promote community garden spaces on municipal land.

Partners: Sustainable CT Action 4.3.
Partners: CEOs, local agricultural commissions, land trusts
Tools: Coming soon

10Ag Increase crop diversity (including native crops)

Partners: Farms, local agricultural commissions
Tools: Coming soon

Land Use

11Ag Consider the need for access to new lands for expansion of maple sugar operations in the near term, to buffer orchards and dairy farms, and to allow for land to grow new varieties of fruit trees and dairy support crops.

Comments/Descriptions: Incorporate farmers into discussion for POCD and conservation areas (especially higher elevations). Consider long-term road-side maintenance and replacement of maple trees.
Partners: Local agriculture commissions, agriculture advocacy organizations, land use commissions
Tools: Coming soon

12Ag Continue preservation of prime and important farmland soils in order to secure ecosystem services these lands provide. Continue to protect prime and important farmland soils close to population centers. Include in state and local POCDs, open space management plans, and Natural Resources Inventories.

Partners: local land use commissions, Housatonic Valley Association, Connecticut Farmland Trust, USDA/NRCS, CT Dept of Ag., land trusts
Tools: CT Environmental Conditions Online (CT ECO) Map Viewer

13Ag Consider soil-based zoning that directs development away from agricultural soils.

Partners: local land use commissions
Tools: Kent, CT Soil-based zoning regulations

14Ag Encourage preservation of small, sustainable, diverse, community-supported farms in order to secure the ecosystem services these lands provide while educating the public about the importance of agriculture systems.

Partners: local land use commissions, agricultural advocacy groups, economic development groups, CT NOFA, land trusts
Tools: CT Dept of Ag "Community Farms Preservation Program" (former program)

15Ag Encourage reuse of brownfields for agricultural use (such as aquaponics), as appropriate. Reuse urban buildings for agriculture and promote vertical agriculture, e.g. green roofs, etc.

Partners: local land use commissions, agricultural advocacy groups, economic development groups
Tools: CT DECD Brownfields Program
EPA FAQs on Brownfields and Agriculture

16Ag Increase the amount of land in organic production systems and promote protection of these lands.

Comments/Descriptions: Incorporate farmers into discussion for POCD.
Partners: Local agriculture commissions, agriculture advocacy organizations, land use commissions, CT NOFA
Tools:Coming soon

17Ag Identify and protect soil landscapes that are critical for groundwater recharge.

Partners: Northwest CT Conservation District, Housatonic Valley Association
Tools: Coming Soon.

18Ag Analyze use of marginal agricultural lands to grow sustainable biomass and fuel such as switchgrass and willow.

Partners: farms, local agricultural commissions
Tools: USDA SARE Biofuel Facts

Infrastructure Changes

19Ag Work with state agencies on infrastructure improvements to sewage treatment plants to minimize or halt combined sewer overflows to reduce runoff onto productive soils.

Partners: DOH, DOT, OPM, EPA
Tools: EPA Combined Sewer Overflow Program

20Ag Renovate or build new dairy barns to maximize passive ventilation and employ active cooling technologies where needed. Review regulations and procedures to allow for higher roofs in barns and electricity use for fans.

Partners: Farms, USDA, CT RC&D
Tools: Extension.org “Ventilation & Cooling Systems for Animal Housing”

21Ag Increase filtration and pervious surface to handle stormwater runoff.

Comments/Descriptions: Incorporate LID into planning and zoning regulations and town operations. Cross reference with Sustainable CT Action 2.8.
Partners: Public Works and local land use commissions
Tools: town of Morris LID manual
CT NEMO program

22Ag Utilize new hydrologic data for the designs and standards for all agricultural infrastructure and conservation practices.

Partners: local farms, USDA, USGS, CT DOT/US DOT
Tools:Coming soon

Regulatory/Policy Changes

23Ag Assess and amend regulations to allow for agriculture processing facilities for value added products, meat slaughter and processing, etc. so that Connecticut farmers can meet market demands for locally grown products and reduce waste of blemished fruit and vegetables and can take advantage of the longer growing season, far-away markets and benefit from hail-damaged and excess fruit not picked by consumers during pick-your-own times.

Partners: local land use & economic development commissions, CT Dept of Ag, UConn, COGs, Chambers of Commerce, Community Foundations
Tools: CT Planning for Agriculture Guide
CT Dept. of Ag “Farmer’s Guide to the Rules of Processing & Selling Meat or Poultry in Connecticut”
UCONN "Starting a Food Processing Facility"

24Ag Assess and amend regulations to decrease barriers and promote farm practices that address climate adaptation and sustainability, e.g. building codes for greenhouses, misting and irrigation systems, etc. Reduce administrative burdens on farmers for installation of high tunnels, low/caterpillar tunnels, greenhouses, ventilation systems, or structures i.e general use of technologies for passive and active cooling measures in dairy barns, irrigation and other adaptive infrastructure. Especially for actions that will reduce vulnerabilities to flooding, invasive pests, or high heat days.

Partners: local land use commissions, CT Dept of Ag, UConn, USDA NRCS, Working Lands Alliance, CT Farm Bureau, SCCROG Urban-Rural Agricultural Collaborative, land trusts
Tools: NY Climate Smart Communities Webinar "Agriculture & Climate Change Adaptation: A Role for Municipalities"

25Ag Create regulations or reduce barriers to encourage agriculture, agri-tourism, and use of renewable energy (including anaerobic digestion) on working farms.

Comments/Descriptions: Cross reference with Sustainable CT Action 4.3.
Partners: local land use commissions, CT Dept of Ag, UConn
Tools: Example of Agricultural Overlay District and promotion of agri-tourism

26Ag Encourage local zoning regulations (e.g., concerning lights, noise) that enable agricultural workers to harvest during the cooler parts of the day (e.g. early morning).

Partners: local land use commissions, CT Dept of Ag, UConn
Tools: CT Planning for Agriculture Guide
Right to Farm ordinances

27Ag Continue to redevelop the infrastructure needed to grow, process, store, market, sell, and eat local and regional foods. Consider food hub potential i.e., Northwest Hills Council of Governments Food Hub Viability Study or a Food Action Plan.

Partners: COGs, farmers, farm-to-table organizations, CT Dept of Ag.
Tools: NHCOG Food Hub (website under-development)
Food Action plan
CLiCK Willimantic

28Ag Provide regulations for seasonal work-force housing.

Partners: local land use commissions, local land use commissions, CT Farm Bureau
Tools: Kent CT Zoning Regulation 3234 Permitted by Special Permit

29Ag Identify local and regional sources of agricultural products that can be used in local facilities such as schools.

Partners: NHCOG Food Hub; CT Dept of Ag Farm to School Program, local farms
Tools: Dawn Crayco FoodCorps CT/CT Farm to School Collaborative
Connecticut Farm to School Program

30Ag Implement general farm-friendly zoning regulations which better define agriculture, provide farmers flexibility for ancillary uses on farms, allow on-farm sales, adequate signage to farms, & appropriate, small scaled meat processing. Allow maximum flexibility in policies, rules, regulations, standards, & funding; practicing a philosophy of adaptive management will allow agriculture to be the most successful.

Comments/Descriptions: Real estate agents should communicate acceptance of working farms in the town to potential new buyers. Cross-reference with Sustainable CT Action 4.3, and Agriculture category, and NHCOG POCD Goal 3.
Partners: Partners for Sustainable Healthy Communities, Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, CT NOFA, Agvocate, local agriculture & land use commissions, agricultural schools
Tools: Agvocate “Creating Farm Friendly Communities”
CT Planning for Agriculture Guide

Education/Outreach/Technical Assistance

31Ag Provide outreach, education and networking opportunities needed for both existing and new farmers. Expand course opportunities at CT community colleges and high-schools on topics relevant to farming, agricultural science, and marketing especially for climate change.

Partners: Conservation organizations, land trusts, NWRWIB, local colleges and universities, New CT Farmers Alliance
Tools: Coming soon

32Ag Encourage, promote, and support local and/or regional farmers' markets by hosting on town green or promoting in local communications.

Partners: CEOs, local agricultural commissions, land trusts
Tools: Coming soon

33Ag Assist farms in preparing emergency response plans.

Partners: Conservation organizations, Public Works, private land owners, utilities
Tools: CT Farm Bureau Emergency Preparedness for Farmers
USDA Risk Management Agency Insurance Agent Locator
UConn Farm Risk Management and Crop Insurance Program

34Ag Encourage farms to develop Nutrient Management Plans.

Partners: NWCD, USDA NRCS, CT DEEP
Tools: Cornell Dairy Guidance

Bees & Pollinators

35Ag Encourage pollinator diversity in open space habitats. Manage open space habitats for a diversity of bee nesting sites such as open grasslands and powerline right- of-ways for ground-nesting bees. Leave dead and downed trees for tree-nesting bees. Conserve riparian buffers which protect bare ground surrounding rivers for ground-nesting bees that prefer bare ground with loose soil.

Partners: Conservation organizations, Public Works, private land owners, utilities, USDA NRCS, UConn Extension, Master Gardeners, land trusts
Tools: Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices for Federal Lands
UConn CAES “A Citizen’s Guide to Creating Pollinator Habitat in Connecticut”

36Ag Educate open space managers about the importance of pollinators and land management techniques to encourage these pollinators. Encourage a diversity of native flowering herbaceous plants and shrubs, especially early and late-blooming plants, and bunch grasses‘ (for bumble bees) to provide pollen.

Partners: Conservation organizations, Public Works, private land owners, utilities, local landscaping companies, land trusts
Tools: “Field, Farm, Forest, and City: Sustaining Pollinator Health to Build Ecosystem Resilience”

37Ag Encourage informed backyard bee rearing of the European honeybee by homeowners that have attended beekeeping information sessions, such as those provided by the CT Beekeeping Association or the Back Yard Beekeepers Association.

Partners: local agricultural commissions, conservation organizations, private land owners
Tools: Coming soon.

38Ag Provide education to homeowners through informational talks, such as those offered by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and print media on the importance of pollinator diversity, including information to distinguish wasps from bees and evaluate stinging risks. Pollinator education information also should include information to prevent pollinator pests, such as the carpenter bee.

Partners: local agricultural commissions, conservation organizations, private land owners, USDA, UConn, land trusts
Tools: Coming soon

39Ag Encourage homeowners to maintain their property to support pollinator diversity. Encourage homeowners to plant native plants, such as goldenrod, that are beneficial to pollinators. Encourage homeowner organic lawn care to reduce applications of pesticides that could affect pollinators. Encourage homeowners to better target invasive plant control herbicide applications through spot spray or cut and paint methods instead of broadcast spraying which could kill pollinator-beneficial, native plants.

Partners: local agricultural commissions, conservation organizations, private land owners, land trusts
Tools: UConn CAES “A Citizen’s Guide to Creating Pollinator Habitat in Connecticut”