The Connecticut Farm Bureau Association
The Connecticut Farm Bureau Assocition is a non-profit, grassroots membership organization dedicated to farming and the future of Connecticut farms. As a non-governmental volunteer association, CFBA serves its members by advocating for agriculture. As The Voice of Connecticut Agriculture, Connecticut Farm Bureau Association (CFBA) represents the interests of all farm businesses and farming families in our state--organic, conventional, small, large, part-time or full-time.
Yet, even folks who aren't farmers benefit from our work. CFBA's work of proactively representing the interest of farmers is vital to providing safe, locally grown, farm-fresh products and a high quality of life for all Connecticut residents.
Here are a few examples :
- LOCAL IMPACT: Each county in Connecticut has a Farm Bureau with local boards of directors. They host gatherings with legislators, free farm tours for families, and socials. Educational workshops hosted by our county Farm Bureaus this year to serve local members have included topics such as Backyard Farming 101, Establishing a Website, and Estate Planning.
- INFORMING MUNICIPAL LEADERS AND FARMERS: CFBA has hosted two statewide conferences--one on Farming and Inland Wetlands, and another on Planning and Zoning Regulations. Information presented by panels of experts are not only valuable to members, but to municipal leaders who want to know how to treat farming enterprises fairly in their communities
- ADVOCATING FOR LEGISLATION: CFBA encourages its members to stay in touch with their elected officials. We employ a lobbyist to watch and advocate on issues affecting agriculture. We communicate directly with members to keep them informed on issues before the legislature, arranging for them to testify or make phone calls when the time is right. Recent successes with legislation include the Farm, Food & Jobs bill permitting marketing of acidified foods processed on the farm, and locally-produced poultry to be marketed directly to consumers.
- SAVING MONEY: Through partnerships, CFBA saves its members money at their home and business. Through membership discounts, members save money on Nationwide Insurance, heating oil, electricity, health insurance, Grainger supplies and more.
- SUPPORTING FUTURE FARMERS: CFBA, through its partner the Connecticut Agriculture Education Foundation, has received a grant to help new and diversifying farmers by providing them a "toolbox" of information they need to know to start out right. We also offer a Student Membership for full-time students under age 26. CFBA supports a Young Farmers Committee, folks ages 18-35, and welcomes young leaders' involvement.
- GETTING THE FACTS STRAIGHT: CFBA knows that local farms mean local jobs. We partially funded a UCONN study to quantify agriculture's contribution in Connecticut: $3.5 billion impact generating 20,000 jobs statewide.
- OPTIMIZING FARM PROFITABILITY: CFBA, through a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, will be supporting Connecticut fruits and vegetable growers by determining how to increase local higher-volume markets for these Connecticut-grown products. Another CFBA project, the "Support Connecticut Dairy" campaign successfully drew attention to ensuring the future of dairy farmers in Connecticut.
Do you want to support local farms in Connecticut? Please help support the good work of the Connecticut Farm Bureau by joining today. For more information, visit www.cfba.org.
To join CFBA, click here
Contact Info
Phone:
Email: ashleym@cfba.org
Website: http://www.cfba.org
Our Locations (Please call ahead to confirm hours and product availability)
The CFBA office in Windsor is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Contact: Ashley McCullough, 860-768-1104Our Products
Our News and Happenings
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association posted on December 5: Learn how Connecticut Farm Bureau helps farm businesses optimize their profits at the upcoming series of Connecticut Farm Energy & Assistance Workshops. Connecticut Farm Bureau is just one of the topics presented at eight workshops across the state starting this week: December 5 at UConn Extension Centers, 139 Wolf Den Rd., Brooklyn and December 7 at 67 Stony Hill Rd. in Bethel. www.ctfarmenergy.org for all the details.
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association posted on December 5: Buy Connecticut-grown products AND support Connecticut\'s future farming leaders. Order from among three holiday baskets overflowing with Connecticut products from the Connecticut Farm Bureau Young Farmer\'s Committee. Priced at $20 to $60, these baskets must be ordered by December 7. Proceeds will help send CFBA\'s Young Farmers to the 2024 Leadership Conference. For details, pictures and order form visit http://www.cfba.org.
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association posted on February 23: Processing your Farm Products for Profit. March 31, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wesleyan University\'s Exley Science Center, 265 Church St., Middletown, CT. With the resurgence in demand for locally grown produce and passage of the 2024 Act Concerning Farms, Food and Jobs, producers recognize opportunity in processing and selling farm-raised products. Processing of food is regulated by a number of Connecticut agencies. This program will provide a road map for producers to help navigate the regulatory process. Representatives of the Connecticut Departments of Agriculture, Public Health and Consumer Protection plus experienced producers will present guidelines on processing acidified foods, farm-raised meats, poultry, eggs and dairy, cider production, GAP, establishing a commercial kitchen, marketing produce to restaurants, plus more. Cost $50 for Farm Bureau members, $65 for non-members and includes lunch. (Late registration increases to $75/$90 after March 27.) For complete program and to register visit www.cfba.org or call 860-768-1100. This program from Connecticut Farm Bureau Association, in cooperation with USDA Risk Management Agency and UCONN Cooperative Extension, is its third annual statewide conference.
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association posted on May 3: The Connecticut Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee is hosting a Chicken Barbeque on August 11, 2024 at the Pleasant View Cafe on Rte. 83 in Somers from 5 to 9. The evening also includes hayrides, games, live music and dancing. And all the proceeds support the leadership development of Connecticut\'s next generation of farmers: Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35. Visit www.cfba.org to reserve your tickets today--just $20, and children under 12 are free. Or call 860-768-1100.
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association posted on May 24: Hartford County Farm Bureau and Hastings Farm presents an open farm tour and agriculture day On June 9th 2024 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The farm is located at 472 Hill Street, Suffield, CT 06078. 1 mile from the turn off Mountain Road (Route 168) Meet the people that produce your food and provide local fresh milk, yoghurt and cheese products at their best! Guided tours of the farm will be held through out the day. Come see the tractors, trucks and equipment needed to farm and the variety of animals that live on the farm. Local farm vendors featuring jams, jelly, honey, maple syrup, goat cheese, goat’s milk soaps, lotions, herb plants, flowers and hanging plants will also be available. Hastings Farm (862-668-7524) produces milk, chocolate milk, yoghurt, and cheese on the farm. Fresh eggs and beef are also available. The store is open daily 8:00 PM-6:30 PM. For any questions or additional information, please call the Hartford Count Farm Bureau Office at 860-844-8444
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association posted on February 20: Connecticut Farm Bureau is celebrating Food Checkout Week Feb. 17-23. Tune into WILI, WLIS/WMRD, WINY, WATR or WZBG and listen for the Healthy and Nutritious Local Food Quiz. Call in with your answer about Connecticut agriculture and preparing nutritious meals and you will win a prize of a local product. All callers will be entered to win the grand prize basket overflowing with Connecticut-grown foods which will be drawn at Ag Day at the Capitol on March 20. Thanks to the Women\'s Leadership Committee of the Connecticut Farm Bureau for coordinating this great promotion. And for some guidance on eating well on a budget, visit Connecticut Farm Bureau\'s website listing of resources at http://www.cfba.org/resources.htm?cat=PDFs
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association posted on April 1: The Connecticut Farm Bureau Women\'s Leadership Committee invites you to a workshop, \"Juggling Lessons for Life: How to Manage the Demands of a Busy Life and Stay Healthy\" with Eliz Greene, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association and nationally known author. Plus Dr. Ellen Lewis on a naturopathic approach to enhancing your well-being. April 2 from 10 to 2:30 at St. Francis Hospital\'s Gengras Auditorium in Harford. Just $25 includes a Connecticut-grown, heart healthy lunch and Ms Greene\'s book. Walk-ins are welcome.
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association posted on April 1: \"Processing Acidified Foods in the Farm Kitchen,\" a hands-on workshop coordinated by Connecticut Farm Bureau to help clarify regulations, review proper harvesting and storing of produce, basics of safe food handling,labeling and a demonstration of proper canning techniques. April 20, 2024 at Tolland Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Ave., Rte. 30 in Vernon from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Only 40 seats, so register today at http://www.cfba.org/conference Early registration rate is $50 CFBA members, $65 for non-members.