The Connecticut Grown Program was developed by the state Department of Agriculture in 1986, when the now-familiar green and blue logo was created to identify agricultural products grown in the state.

Over the past three decades, the Connecticut Grown Program has blossomed into a multifaceted initiative targeting diverse local, regional, national and international markets through both direct-to-consumer and wholesale-oriented program components.

Producers and retailers of agricultural products grown/raised in Connecticut may market those products under the Connecticut Grown logo/label/brand name as long as such products meet Connecticut Grown labeling requirements and the logo/label/brand name is used according to the Connecticut Grown Identity Standards

Public Act No. 15-245, AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE OF FARM PRODUCTS AS "CONNECTICUT-GROWN".

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 22-38 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2015): (a) For purposes of this section, "farm products" means products resulting from the practice of agriculture or farming, as defined in section 1-1 and "Connecticut-Grown" means produce and other farm products that have a traceable point of origin within Connecticut. (b) Only farm products grown or produced in Connecticut shall be advertised or sold in Connecticut as "Connecticut-Grown". Farm products grown or produced in Connecticut may be advertised or sold in Connecticut as "Native", "Native-Grown", "Local" or "Locally-Grown". Farm products grown or produced within a ten-mile radius of the point of sale for such farm products may be advertised or sold in Connecticut as "Native", "Native-Grown", "Local", or "Locally-Grown". Any person, firm, partnership or corporation advertising farm products as "Native", "Native-Grown", "Local", "Locally-Grown", or "Connecticut-Grown" shall be required to furnish written proof within ten days of the sale of such products that such products were grown or produced in Connecticut or within a ten-mile radius of the point of sale, as applicable, if requested to do so by the Commissioner of Agriculture or said commissioner's designee. Any person who violates any provision of this [section] subsection shall be fined not more than [twenty-five] one hundred dollars for each product label in violation of this [section] subsection. (c) In addition to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, any person who sells any farm product as "Connecticut-Grown" at a farmers' market in this state shall offer such product for sale in the immediate proximity of a sign that is: (1) Readily visible to consumers, (2) not less than three inches by five inches in size, and (3) in a form that is substantially as follows: THIS FARM PRODUCT IS CONNECTICUT-GROWN. THIS FARM PRODUCT WAS GROWN OR PRODUCED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSON OR BUSINESS: (INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON OR BUSINESS) The lettering on any such sign shall be of such a size, font or print that is clearly and easily legible. Such a sign shall accompany each type of farm product that any such person sells as "Connecticut-Grown". Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall receive a warning for the first violation and for any subsequent violation shall be fined one hundred dollars for each violation.

 

Enforcement

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Regulation and Inspection enforces the above Connecticut Grown labeling requirements.  Bureau staff conduct unannounced compliance checks at farmers’ markets and investigate specific written, formal complaints of violations based on available agency resources.

Farmers’ market vendors selling products as Connecticut Grown must identify the origin of each such product, including the name and town of the farm that grew/produced it.  The Connecticut Department of Agriculture offers Connecticut Grown price cards that, when filled out properly and used on each item, will meet these labeling requirements.  See below for information on how to request price cards.

A large, single banner or sign with the farm name and address in a farmers’ market stall does not meet the labeling requirement unless that banner or sign includes a readily visible statement that all products offered for sale by that vendor at that farmers’ market were grown/produced by that same farm. 

If a farmers’ market vendor offers for sale products grown/produced by any other Connecticut farms as Connecticut Grown, each product must be clearly and individually labeled in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 22-38 as amended by Public Act 15-245 above.

Questions about enforcement of Connecticut Grown labeling requirements should be directed to the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection at 860-713-2508.  

Connecticut Grown Programs through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture ConnecticutGrownStore.com ~ ConnecticutGrownStore.com is the official online store to purchase apparel and gift items. All proceeds benefit the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Connecticut Grown program, which promotes Connecticut’s farmers and the diverse array of agricultural products they grow.  

Agriculture Directional Signage ~ The Agriculture Directional Signage program is designed to direct tourists and regional consumers off state roadways to local roads where farm operations are established. Unfortunately, if your farm is located on a state road, your farm cannot apply to this program. For eligible farms, the state approved signs are paid for and owned by the farmers. Currently you can find over 175 signs throughout Connecticut.  Review and submit the application and sign specifications. For additional information view the Signage Program Brochure (.pdf, 2pgs) or contact Mark Hood at Mark.Hood@ct.gov or 860-713-2503.   

Farmers' Markets ~ A constantly expanding program which enables consumers to purchase fresh farm products. For more information on establishing a market in your area or participating in a market, contact Jaime Smith at Jaime.Smith@ct.gov or 860-713-2503.

Farm-to-School ~ A statewide program designed to use Connecticut Grown fresh fruits and vegetables in schools cafeteria meals and snacks. For more information about the program and how you can participate, visit the Farm-to-School webpage  or contact Erin.Windham@ct.gov at 860-713-2503.

Media relations ~ Information about CT Grown products, producers, and events is disseminated to the media through news releases and other forms of outreach. To join the distribution list, contact Rebecca.Eddy@ct.gov 

Connecticut Grown Forest Products Program ~ Done in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the program highlights producers of furniture, outdoor structures, and decorative accents.  To learn more and find a producer, visit the CT DEEP's program page - Connecticut Grown Forest Products.