Larson Statement on Announcement of $53 Million in Federal Funding for Connecticut Farmers

East Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the announcement that Connecticut farmers will receive $53 million in federal disaster assistance. Last year, the Connecticut delegation passed a block grant in Congress for Connecticut farmers recovering from crop losses due to severe flooding and frost. 

“For far too long, federal disaster relief has failed to meet the needs of Connecticut’s farmers, forcing them to purchase crop insurance plans they cannot afford and does not provide them any benefit,” said Larson. “When our small family farms were hit with severe flooding – some of whom have worked the same soil for over 400 years – the Connecticut delegation banded together to secure relief. I am glad to see the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that Connecticut farms will receive $53 million in federal aid to recover and come back stronger than before. I was proud to work with Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and my colleagues to ensure our farmers could get the direct assistance they need to get back on their feet. I want to also thank Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt for his leadership as the State of Connecticut and federal government move closer toward an agreement. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure our farmers are fairly compensated for their losses.” 

In 2023, dozens of farms in the Connecticut River Valley lost hundreds of acres of crops and people were put out of work due to severe flooding and frost. Rep. Larson held listening sessions across the district to hear directly from farmers on what they need to recover. The Connecticut Congressional delegation joined together to call for emergency disaster funding - earning the support of President Biden and Congressional leadership. That request was eventually passed and signed into law in December 2024, in an effort led by Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). In June, the delegation spoke out after the Trump Administration tried to restrict the funding Congress passed for farmers, securing a commitment from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins that the funding would be released. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture and USDA are still finalizing block grant details before the state can receive funding.