The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has permanently protected 13 farm parcels, totaling 953 acres, as part of the Farmland Preservation Program.
The program, which began in 1978, has now safeguarded 455 farm parcels and 51,203 acres through the purchase of development rights, ensuring the land remains dedicated to agriculture, according to a community announcement.
In 2025, two local farm parcels were protected:
Grabarek Farm in Franklin, spanning 79.2 acres, features prime and statewide important farmland soils with cropland in hay and corn silage production to support a dairy calf-raising operation, according to the announcement. The USDA-NRCS contributed Agricultural Land Easement funds to this project.
Rainville Farm in Norwich, covering 46.3 acres, consists of prime and statewide important farmland soils in hay and pasture used to feed beef cattle and sell to local farms.
Rainville Farm in Norwich
Rainville Farm in Norwich
“Every farm parcel we preserve has its own story, and we are proud to work alongside landowners to keep these properties in agricultural production,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Our Farmland Preservation Unit has done an outstanding job working with farmers, landowners, and partners to protect the heritage of Connecticut farmland for future generations.”
Ten of the 13 farm parcels were preserved in collaboration with and received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Services Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Agricultural Land Easements program, which contributed $3 million in federal cost-share support, according to the announcement.
The average cost per acre rose from $5,500 in 2024 to $7,400 in 2025. Parcel sizes ranged from 21 acres to more than 140 acres, with the average size increasing from 63 acres to 73 acres.
“NRCS is pleased to partner with Connecticut farmers, landowners, towns, and the CT Department of Agriculture to protect our cropland and pastureland in perpetuity,” said Thomas L. Morgart, NRCS Connecticut State conservationist. “The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program keeps working agricultural lands in working hands by limiting non-agricultural uses of these properties. Keeping farms and ranches in agriculture supports local economies and rural communities while providing benefits like open space and wildlife habitat.”
According to the 2024 American Farmland Trust PACE report, Connecticut ranks ninth nationally in total easements held, and 12th nationally in acreage preserved, ahead of West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia. Connecticut also tied for seventh in the number of easements recently acquired, more than California, Colorado, and Vermont.