Governor Rell Signs Bill to Bolster

Farmland Preservation Efforts

SB 1082 Requires Comprehensive Review of State-Owned Farmland

            Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that she has signed a bill that requires the state Farmland Preservation Advisory Board to review all state-owned land currently used for agricultural purposes, except for land owned by the Department of Environmental Protection, and consider how to permanently preserve each parcel, including ways that could increase state revenue.

            “Farmland is an irreplaceable asset – one we cannot afford to lose now or give up for future generations,” Governor Rell said. “This bill gives the state another valuable tool to help us preserve open space and sustain our ability to produce food. Our family farms and agribusinesses are the foundation of a $2 billion economy that must be protected and given the resources it needs to flourish.”

            The state currently owns hundreds of acres in prime, productive farmland, of which the largest parcel – more than 600 acres – is at the Southbury Training School. The state has a number of agriculture lease agreements between local farmers and the departments of Developmental Services and Correction. Such state-owned land, in the past, has been the subject of Special Acts, meaning ownership was transferred to non-state entities for use outside of farming.

            Governor Rell said the bill arose out of concern that the transfer of ownership would result in the land being lost to development and forever out of agriculture use. The 12-member Farmland Preservation Advisory Board assists the Department of Agriculture with its purchase of development rights and other efforts to preserve agricultural lands. Under the new law, the board must present recommendations of its review to the Commissioner of Agriculture no later than January 15, 2010.

            The State of Connecticut’s farmland preservation goal is 130,000 acres of farmland, with 85,000 acres of active cropland. To date, about 25 percent or 254 farms totaling 34,500 acres have been approved for protection by the Farmland Preservation Program.

            The legislation – Senate Bill 1082, An Act Concerning the Preservation of State-Owned Agricultural Land – takes effect immediately.