New UConn Report Finds Agriculture A Big Business In CT

Agriculture contributes three and a half billion dollars a year to the Connecticut economy. That figure comes from a comprehensive new analysis of the sector, conducted by the University of Connecticut, and as WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports, it’s come as a surprise even to experts in the field.

Another truck load of veg makes its way from field to processing shed at Nelson Ceccarelli’s farm in Northford. Cecarelli’s family has farmed here for three generations, but he says the state’s understanding of agriculture has changed in that time.

“Even 30 years ago, maybe in that vicinity, most people had some relative or tie to agriculture. But with what is it 2% of the population being farmers – I always find it important to get people out to the farm and show them what we do, and have a better appreciation of where their food comes from.”

A new report from UConn shows that far from being a dying industry, farming in Connecticut is alive and well, and more lucrative than anyone knew.

“For a number of years we said—agriculture’s a $2 billion industry in the state of Connecticut. This report tells us we were wrong.”

Connecticut’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Philip Prelli says even he’s surprised to hear the real total is more like three and a half billion dollars.

“I think sometimes it’s forgotten that every farmer’s a businessman. And that every farmer’s there to produce a product to make money. And I think this gets that information out there.”

According to the report, the agricultural sector supports 20,000 jobs in the state – actually fewer than previously thought, and its output is equivalent to $1,000 in sales for each Connecticut resident. 13% of the state’s land is actively farmed. Report author Rigoberto Lopez says just like any other industry, agriculture supports economic activity elsewhere.

“You have an active farm for example, they hire plumbers, electricians, they consume fuels, they can impact perhaps processing, direct sales to consumers. There’s a ripple effect that cascades throughout the economy, and that has to be taken into account.”

Greg Weidemann, the Dean of UConn’s College of Agriculture says there’s precedent for a study of this type having a real impact on policy makers.

“We had done a previous report about two years ago on the value of the dairy industry, and I think it was used very effectively by a number of stakeholder groups in the legislature to help shape policy to provide some additional resources.”

And it won’t be just thinking at the state level that can use some sound data. Representative Rosa DeLauro chairs the House subcommittee on agriculture, and she says the more leverage the northeast has, the more it can swing the national debate away from agribusiness, and towards supporting the small local producers who are the backbone of Connecticut’s agricultural economy.

“In 2011, we’re going to begin to gear up for another farm bill. You’ll recall in the last farm bill we made some very important gains in terms of focusing more funding on specialty crops, on conservation—issues important to Connecticut. As the Congress begins to work on the next farm bill it’s going to be important to make sure that we maintain that momentum.”

But just for the moment, standing next to a bountiful harvest of Nelson Ceccarelli’s produce, the congresswoman is more focused on lunch.

“Look at this, this is beautiful, and I’m going to take you up on it—I’ll make sausage and peppers, you just get me the peppers! This is great – and string beans and potatoes—I got it all figured out here.”

For WNPR, I’m Harriet Jones.