Agricultural Projects

Growing Agricultural Businesses in The Last Green Valley

The Last Green Valley is the only remaining undeveloped region in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, and it has the significant land and water resources needed for food production.  The Heritage Corridor is a 1,086 square-mile region with 78% forest and farm lands, or 542,100 acres of working land.  The Last Green Valley has a tradition of land-based economic activities including dairy farms, orchards, vegetable farms, herds of beef, bison, alpaca, goats and sheep, and flocks of poultry.  Among these are the largest bison, alpaca and free-range turkey farms in Connecticut.

A large population would benefit from increased food, fiber, and timber production in The Last Green Valley.  Eleven million people live in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, no more than two hours from the region. Three-quarters of a million people live in the cities of Springfield, Worcester, Providence, Hartford, New Haven and New London, each located between 30-60 minutes from the region.  The Last Green Valley is working with many partners to increase agricultural business in the Heritage Corridor, and to keep The Last Green Valley green for generations to come.  Click here for additional information about The Last Green Valley's plans to encourage and sustain a safe, adequate and local farm-to-plate continuum for southern New England.

2009 Farm Survey Results

The Last Green Valley non-profit organization’s mission is to develop strategies to protect our land and water resources, educate the public and increase the economic importance of agriculture in this area. We understand that ecological health, preserving rural character, and fostering sustainable economic growth is inextricably linked to the economic and social health of our communities and the quality of life of their residents.

A few months ago we conducted a Farm Survey asking you questions about your agricultural business. Here’s what we found:

Of the 556 Farms, we found 331 or 60% of you responded to our calls.

Of those 331 farms, 228 produce food.

56% of you said you might participate in a Last Green Valley Organization for Agri-businesses.

145 – 150 are thinking about expanding or diversifying.

38% of you feel there is a need to educate people about the process and importance of farming.

28% are dealing with land stewardship and preservation issues.

23% agri-businesses are looking to cooperate and/or network in some useful way.

11% of the agri-businesses are looking at green technology and more efficient ways to use resources.

Farms, Orchards, Nurseries, Wineries and Breweries

Dozens of agricultural businesses in The Last Green Valley are open to the public and you are invited to stop by!  From pick-your-own strawberries to heirloom vegetables and Halloween pumpkins, you can find it all in The Last Green Valley.  Nothing tastes better than fresh milk, maple sugar, homestead cheese, honey, free-range turkeys, beef, and bison, goats milk, ice cream, organic produce, wine, beer, and spirits that are grown, produced, and sold right from the farm.  Enjoy family fun wandering through elaborate corn mazes, pick-your-own farm fields, and cut-your-own Christmas tree farms.   Purchase gifts made from locally-raised wool, alpaca, and llama fibers, or plant native perennials in your garden.  Find it all by clicking on "Explore," then "What to Taste."

AGvocating for Local Agriculture

The "AGvocate Program," funded through a CT Department of Agriculture Viability Grant, will provide a forum for municipal officials, agricultural producers, and other stakeholders to strengthen the farm-friendliness of eastern Connecticut towns.  AGvocate initiatives may include forming agriculture commissions, implementing tax reduction programs, planning for farmland protection, encouraging “buy local” opportunities, supporting local farms, and establishing right-to-farm ordinances and agriculture friendly zoning regulations.  Six towns, Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Franklin, Sterling, and Thompson, have been chosen as AGvocate Pilot Communities.  For more information about the AGvocate Program, click here.

Agritourism

Click on the links below for information about Agritourism:

TLGV Fact Sheet - Agritourism - By Charlene Perkins Cutler, Executive Director and CEO

''SNEAPA Conference Presentation “Regional Economic Development
for Rural Communities,” November 5, 2009 at the Mohegan Sun
Agritourism Presentation by Charlene Perkins Cutler, Executive Director and CEO
of The Last Green Valley, Inc.