Agriculture is one of Connecticut’s most vital yet chronically overlooked industries. With 370,000 acres of active farmland, our agricultural sector contributes more than $4 billion annually to the state economy and supports 30,000 jobs. Yet despite this economic and social importance, Connecticut’s agrarian future is precarious. Between 2017 and 2022, we lost 463 farms. Rising production costs, climate pressures, and an aging farmer population threaten the future of farming in our state.
To support our farmers and secure a more resilient food system, we must start by rethinking how we value food, not as a commodity, but as a connector. Connecticut, one of the most urbanized states in the country, may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of farmland. Yet it is precisely because of our size and geographic diversity that we are uniquely positioned to lead in local food innovation, if we invest in the right programs.
Farm-to-school initiatives like CT Grown for CT Kids and the Connecticut Local Food for Schools Incentive Program are shining examples of what this kind of investment looks like. These programs connect local farmers with schools, ensuring that students receive fresh, nutritious meals while providing farmers with a stable, reliable market. It’s a win-win, children are better nourished, and farms are better supported.
That’s why recent developments are so alarming. In 2025, both programs faced devastating federal and state funding cuts. The USDA unexpectedly ended the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, stripping $5.6 million from Connecticut’s farm-to-school pipeline. At the state level, Governor Lamont’s proposed budget would cut $1 million from the Department of Agriculture, effectively eliminating CT Grown for CT Kids. Without meaningful intervention, these setbacks threaten to undo years of progress toward building a healthier and more resilient local food system.
Fortunately, the legislature has a chance to reverse course. House Bill 7013, now under consideration, offers a path forward. It proposes measures to strengthen program coordination, outreach, and technical assistance with schools and ensure smoother implementation. The bill also expands program eligibility to include childcare providers, broadening the reach of local food access beyond K–12 settings.
Just as importantly, HB 7013 and the proposed Appropriations budget seeks sustained funding for both programs, providing the financial stability needed for them to thrive. Organizations like the Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association (CT NOFA) have voiced strong support, recognizing the bill’s potential to bolster local agriculture, improve student nutrition, and increase public awareness around food systems.
This isn’t just smart policy, it’s a moral imperative. Supporting farm-to-school programs isn’t just about feeding kids; it’s about shaping the next generation of Connecticut’s farmers, food entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens. When students learn where their food comes from, they gain a deeper appreciation for the land, labor, and community behind every meal.
Moreover, these programs can help address one of the most pressing challenges in agriculture today: a lack of young people entering the field. Farming is often viewed as inaccessible, outdated, or financially unviable. But by embedding food literacy into school curricula, expanding school gardens, and exposing students to sustainable farming practices, we can help change the narrative and inspire a new generation to see farming as both a calling and a career.
If we want a future in which Connecticut’s farms flourish and our children grow up nourished in every sense of the word, we must start by protecting and expanding these programs. That means not only preserving existing farmland but also investing in the infrastructure, both physical and educational, that connects people to it.
The future of Connecticut’s food system depends on bold, community-centered action. HB 7013 and funding for farm-to-school represents a critical next step to affirm a vision for Connecticut in which every child has access to healthy food, every farmer has access to a strong market, and every community has a stake in the resilience of our local food system.
Contact your legislators. Let them know that food matters, not just to our plates, but to our economy, our health, and our shared future.
Zane Tickoo is a food justice advocate and junior at New Canaan High School.