Bridgeport Farms Get Share of State Agricultural Grant

Two farms that serve low-income communities with fresh, healthy produce will each receive $50,000 through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s 2025 Agricultural Enhancement Grant program.

Bridgeport state Sen. Herron Gaston (D-23rd District) helped secure the grants to fund two non-profit programs: Bridgeport’s Green Village Initiative and nOURish Bridgeport.

They will use these funds to expand access to fresh, culturally relevant food, strengthen urban growing infrastructure, and provide hands-on learning opportunities — from early childhood education to hydroponics and mushroom cultivation. 

“Urban agriculture plays a vital role in building healthier, more resilient communities,” said Gaston. “These nonprofits are working to ensure that future generations are connected to sustainable food systems and empowered to grow their own.”

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture awarded more than $559,625 in state funds to 21 farm enhancement projects across the state.

Green Village Initiative will use the $50,000 grant to construct raised beds, reinforce a hoop house, collaborate with All Our Kin to offer training sessions for early childhood education providers, and integrate culturally relevant lessons on growing and using fresh food.

“We are grateful for Senator Gaston’s advocacy,” said the Rev. Sara Smith, president and chief executive officer of nOURish Bridgeport. The organization will use its $50,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to increase production at its indoor hydroponic farm, the first nonprofit of its kind in the state, and dedicated to delivering fresh, healthy produce to people who do not otherwise have access.

“In our first three years of production, we have distributed 17 tons of fresh produce to people who struggle with food insecurity,” Smith said. “All our produce is grown in a 5,000-square-foot warehouse — the growing equivalent of a six-acre soil farm — using only water, light and nutrients. No pesticides, no chemicals, ever.”    

The grant will allow the group to grow more of its current crops — greens, lettuces, cucumbers, and tomatoes — and will add diversity to its crop varieties including mushrooms, peppers, and beans.

The fresh produce is distributed through area food pantries, soup kitchens, City Fresh Boxes, Bridgeport and Stratford school lunch programs, St. Vincent’s Medical Center’s diabetic study, as well as nOURish’s online pantry.