Report: Connecticut farms feed $4 billion into state economy

The world may not think of farming when they think of Connecticut, but this small state’s nearly 6,000 farms contributed $4 billion to the state economy in 2022, according to a new study out of the University of Connecticut, which found Connecticut’s farming industry generated between 22,000 and 31,000 jobs statewide and that every dollar in farm sales generated an additional 63 cents into the state’s economy.

“This economic impact report serves as a vital benchmark, revealing the profound significance of agriculture – not just as a source of sustenance, but as a cornerstone of economic vitality, community resilience, and sustainable growth,” said CT DoAG Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt in a press release.

While Connecticut does not compete with other states that produce wheat and corn like the Midwest or California, Connecticut focuses on “specialty crops,” like fruits and vegetables and “ornamental crops,” according to the press release, and the state’s overall agriculture industry has been growing, expanding 22 percent between 2017 and 2022.

That growth, however, has not been uniform, with some sectors of Connecticut’s farming and agriculture sector expanding thanks to shifts in consumer preferences, while other sectors have contracted due to environmental and, in the case of tobacco, public health concerns.

Connecticut saw “significant expansion” in poultry and egg production, greenhouse, fruits and vegetable production, as well as “value-added” processes, such as creamery and butter manufacturing, seafood preparation, and meat and poultry processing. Local food growth and partnerships between state-based farmers and producers and local grocery stores or restaurants have also fueled growth, according to the report.

“Local food is becoming more popular in Connecticut,” the study said. “This marketing arrangement between farms and organizations is expected to keep growing as grocery stores, farmers markets , and other organizations utilize local foods to meet increasing consumer demand as well as their own promotion strategies and for educational purposes.”

Surprisingly, the agriculture sector that saw the largest growth was commercial hunting and trapping, which saw sales grow by 1,116 percent between 2017 and 2022. That sector, which includes operating game preserves and retreats, however, is quite small, accounting for only $5.1 million in sales, compared to the greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture industry, which accounted for $362 million.

However, Connecticut also saw significant declines in “animal slaughtering, aquaculture, commercial fishing, and fluid milk manufacturing.” The report notes that declines in commercial fisheries and clam farming are part of a trend across the Northeast, while tobacco farming and production have also declined due to a decline in sales. The report notes that tobacco farming has “limited prospects for future output and employment growth.”

The report did not specifically list cannabis farming in the report, although it includes any crops grown under a cover as greenhouse farming. The report did list wineries as part of the agriculture industry and listed it as a sector of emerging strength and opportunity.

The authors say that public policy changes such as “price instruments to lower the high cost of producing in Connecticut,” and “removing regulations that may be stunting growth and investment returns in agricultural activities” may help spur further growth in Connecticut’s agriculture sector.

“Connecticut’s agricultural industry will continue along the diverse, dynamic, and non-traditional path that sets it apart from typical agricultural industries in other U.S. states,” the report said. “Despite high costs and institutional barriers, the state’s agricultural industry has remained resilient and innovative. With the proper mix of public and private policies, training, and technology, an efficient, innovative, and consumer-oriented industry could be well-positioned to resume a robust growth trajectory well into the 21 ^st century.”

The study was conducted through a partnership between UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, the CT Dept. of Agriculture and Farm Credit East.

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