Sen. Gordon Supports Connecticut Dairy Farmers with Additional Funding Announcement

HEBRON, CT – State Senator Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) today stood with Governor Lamont, Legislative Leaders, and local farmers at Mapleleaf Farm in Hebron to announce 22.5 million in funding over two years that will provide relief and support for Connecticut dairy farmers.

Northeast Connecticut and the 35th District are home to many hardworking dairy farm families who play an essential role in the state’s economy, food supply, and way of life. Senator Gordon said the announcement reflects the growing recognition that dairy farmers across the state need meaningful support as they continue to face a statewide affordability crisis and federal milk price controls that can be less than the cost of milk production.

“Our dairy farmers work incredibly hard every single day and night, and they are being squeezed more and more from every direction,” Senator Gordon said. “I have been calling for legislative relief for our dairy farmers because dairy farming remains a major part of the agricultural economy and identity of the 35th District. As Co-Chair of the Rural Caucus, I know them firsthand. I live near a dairy farm. We cannot afford to lose these farms. I appreciate Governor Lamont working with me and others to provide this help.”

Senator Gordon has been advocating for both immediate assistance and long-term solutions to strengthen Connecticut’s dairy industry. Earlier this year, he joined Senate Republican colleagues in proposing $20 million in state funding to help farms stay afloat. He also proposed the creation of a dairy sustainability tax credit program modeled after successful efforts in Massachusetts. This was taken up by the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee during this year’s legislative session. A major working group will be established with dairy farmers involved to work through details and propose specifics for next year’s legislative session.

Furthering this work, Sen. Gordon has been advocating for all farmers in the 35th District and the state. He worked on the big Farm Bill passed into law last year and was a legislative leader to protect farmers from huge tax increases caused by an erroneous land value assessment change in the PA-490 program that provides tax relief for working farmland.

“Our farmers could not afford sky-high tax increases caused by errors in the state’s land value assessment updates. I worked quickly with my Senate Republican colleagues to get Governor Lamont to put a moratorium in place and create a PA-490 Working Group to fix the problems and improve the program. I am attending meetings and am glad to see farmers are at the table to get things done with legislators and state agencies. Supporting Connecticut agriculture is not just about protecting farms today, it is about preserving our farms for future generations,” said Sen. Gordon.

Senator Gordon remains committed to supporting Connecticut’s agricultural community and dairy industry.

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