The Department of Agriculture issues over 5,500 licenses through its Licensing Unit, which is part of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection.  The Licensing Unit takes in over one million dollars annually for the agency and registers many different license types not just from Connecticut, but throughout the country and all over the world.

The Licensing Unit registers a wide variety of agriculturally based products. Licenses for national/international companies requiring Connecticut compliance deal with feed, fertilizer, and seed.  In addition, the unit handles permits for pet shops, commercial kennels, training/grooming facilities, and fur breeders. Licenses are also required for milk dealers, raw milk dealers, cheese manufacturers and for those who deal in the sale of cattle and swine.

One license that affects almost every Connecticut consumer is the retail milk license. There are more than 3,200 stores (mostly corner convenience stores) that sell milk on a retail level to the public. Each and every store must be licensed. Stores are routinely inspected by state milk inspectors and those not meeting agency health standards may have their license revoked.

For more information about agricultural license requirements in Connecticut, please visit the licenses and permits to review downloadable applications.  You can also call the Licensing Unit at 860-713-2512, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.