The Aspetuck Land Trust has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to support expansion of its orchard and pollinator meadow initiative.
The funding is part of the state’s Agricultural Enhancement Grant Program that provides funding for projects that directly impact or foster agricultural viability.
Justin Giorlando, land stewardship director for the land trust, said the grant will help fund equipment purchases and the creation of additional pollinator meadow habitat at Trout Brook Valley Preserve.
“The goal is to prevent old farm fields from becoming overgrown with invasive species and other weeds, while converting portions into pollinator meadow that supports our orchards and future tillable acreage,” Giorlando said.
The project includes expansion at the preserve, where Giorlando said the trust plans to roughly double its existing meadow footprint.
“Our current meadow at the orchard is approximately one acre, and we would likely add about another acre on the adjacent former farm fields,” he said.
In a statement, state Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said the funding supports a range of initiatives across the state.
“Funding was awarded for projects focused on expanding processing capacity, workforce development and youth education, livestock safety, and the increased purchasing and promotion of CT Grown products,” Hurlburt said.
“This was a highly competitive grant cycle, and it is inspiring to see so many organizations investing in the long-term vitality of agriculture in our state,” Hulburt said.
