Sen. Gordon Proposes Plan for Financial Relief for Farmers
March 26, 2026
HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) and his Republican colleagues today called for immediate action to support the state’s dairy farmers, who are facing increasing financial pressure amid a growing affordability crisis.
Northeast Connecticut is home to many dedicated farm families who play a critical role in the state’s economy. As costs rise, dairy farmers are being squeezed, putting local jobs, food supply, and the future of agriculture at risk.
“The farmers in the 35th district work incredibly hard every single day, and they are being squeezed from every direction,” Senator Gordon said. “If we do not act now, we are going to lose farms that we will never get back.”
Senator Gordon and his Republican colleagues have offered a two-part plan to provide both immediate relief and long-term stability. In the short term, 20 million dollars in funding would be allocated through the state budget to help farms stay afloat. In the long term, a dairy sustainability tax credit program would be established, modeled after successful efforts in Massachusetts.
“This is a commonsense solution. We can provide relief now and build a long-term solution that works,” Senator Gordon said. “Other states have done it, and Connecticut can too. I have put this into action by submitting legislation on this topic that is being taken up tomorrow by the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. Our farmers cannot afford for us to wait. They are a big contributor to our local and state economy, providing jobs, fresh food, and sustaining our communities. Losing them is not an option.”
Massachusetts has already demonstrated that a structured sustainability program can help preserve dairy farms and protect local agricultural economies, offering a proven model that Connecticut can follow.