WESTON CALLS ITSELF RURAL...
in some ways we are, such as having "Farm and Forest Classification, Open Space" lands discussed at the Forum below..
INHALE? JURY STILL OUT ON HOW THE HEMP EXPERIMENT IS GOING
https://ctmirror.org/2019/08/19/ct-dairy-farmers-dont-see-hemp-as-their-new-cash-cow/
RURAL CAUCUS SENATE CO-CHAIR (R)
RURAL CAUCUS JANUARY 8, 2020 MEETING
DEEP Deputy Commissioner Albis and later large scale farm "Hillandale"
located in Bosrah guy plus very experienced farm lobbyist.
Introduces expert on pesticides who
outlines "restricted use" based on labels...who also pointed out that
Federal rules dictate this and other aspects; watch out for
statewide mandate 490.
DAIRY FARMING
LOTS OF QUESTIONS...OLD STATUTES NEED UPDATING
- Anaerobic digestion legal: Applications not being looked at until DEEP staff gets the time.
- Look at property value assessments. "490" applied across the state?
- Off-Shore Wind: Digesters priority? You can apply now (Utilities have April date).
- RFP Not as fast.
- Equipment for farm equipment personal property - municipal option - abatement. Uniformity requested by Farm Bureau.
- Cows being sold?
CHICKEN FARMS: "Cage free" or "free range" and cow ship discussion
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT WESTON? Nature Conservancy uses 490...
- Pre-existing solar panels- re: 490? Assessors vary in interpretations.
- One chicken for every person served - how to figure output of farm?
- Cow patties? Where to find customers for manure.
- Is it not true that "free range" or "no cages" encourages angrier birds?
When the cow chips are down, it is a sign the C.G.A. is in session
Two hours. New Agriculture liaison introduced by Commissioner.
Terrific forum on CT-N...we watched it live August 14, 2019.
Rural Caucus Informational Forum on Dairy Industry: http://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=16610
Knowledgeable legislators know what to ask. Cows in CT? 19,000. Hemp?
Experienced legislators in the Rural
Caucus - Zawatowski (P&D), Osten (knows the bill-making process!!!),
Ackert - a reasonable guy.
SAY CHEESE - Wonderful testimony from CT
farmers. Cow chips also a big crop. Definition of "milk."
An interesting problem: Is there any
way the price of milk can rise to compensate for new minimum wage and
paid "family" leave mandates?
Entrepreneurs all. One mentioned that the price of
milk was fixed by Feds. A number of changes last Session do not compute.
Connecticut farmers spoke out at this "informational session" and showed
that they were doing everything to update their farms with A.I.-like
improvements.
MANY TIMES THE RURAL CAUCUS SPOKE OF HOW THEY COULD CONVINCE FELLOW LEGISLATORS...
A Legislator with soul. I had no idea.
He noted that he rolled down his window since his air
conditioning wasn't working, and the smell of corn fields was
reminiscent of why CT is so special.
CONNECTICUT COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE 2019
He was on the spot to find $$ in the lapses - the Rural Caucus knows which buttons to push.