Publication of The Connecticut Farm Bureau • www.cfba.org December 2009

The Voice of Connecticut Agriculture

• Executive Director Letter . . .3• Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3• New Members . . . . . . . . . . .3• 2009 Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

• Wall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . .8• Young Farmers . . . . . . . . . . .9• Member Services . . . . . . . . .11• Sponsor Thanks . . . . . . . . .12

The Mission of the Connecticut FarmBureau is to elevate the stature of agriculture in our state. Through education, market promotion and legislative advocacy, we strive to increasefarm income and to improve the qualityof life not only for Connecticut farmers,but also for their consumers.

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E O F F R O M T H E F A R M

CFBA 90th Annual Meeting:

Change, Challenge and OpportunityCFBA’s Annual Meeting took place onNovember 6 in South Windsor. FarmBureau members and special guestsfrom across the state and beyond cametogether to adopt policy resolutions,elect officers, receive reports and hearfrom speakers. This year’s AnnualMeeting program was dedicated to thememory of Dr. Al Cowan for his contri-butions to CFBA and all of CT agriculture.

Delegates representing the membersof all eight counties elected new mem-bers to the CFBA Board of Directors.New CFBA Board of Directors membersinclude Tim Brady of Fairfield County,Kimberly Brockett of New Haven Coun-ty, Tom Dexter of Hartford County andJudy Chase of Litchfield County. Inaddition, Debbi Tanner was elected asthe new chair of the CFBA Women’sCommittee. Members leaving theBoard include Bernie Dzielinski of Fair-fied County, Dave Misavage of Litch-field County, Anne Staebner of theWomen’s Committee and Mary EllenWettemann of New Haven County.

SAVE THE DATE1st Annual Statewide Conference

Farming and Inland Wetlands Forum: What Every

Agricultural Producer Needs to Know

Maneely’s Banquet Facility, 65 Rye St. South Windsor, CTTHURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010

Topics will include: The CT InlandWetlands and Watercourses Act and

how it relates to agriculturalpractices, cost-share funding for NRCS

conservation practices, pesticidelicense CEUs, Waste Management

programs for agricultural producers,PA 490: Connecticut’s Current

Use Tax & more.

Experts from the CT DEP InlandWetlands Division, CT DEP Waste

Management Division, NRCS and landuse legal counsel will be available to present and answer questions.

For information visit www.cfba.org or call 860-768-1100 to register.

Delegates debated and adopted sev-eral policy resolutions including a studyof the economic impact of CT agricul-ture, the adoption of agriculturallyfriendly municipal and state regulations,and enhancing value-added agriculture

and locally-grown guidelines that ben-efit CT farmers and consumers. Theseguidelines include seeking a legal defi-nition of “pure honey”, supporting rawmilk production and expanding currentprovisions for food production in farm

Congressman Courtney:

Enfield & Suffield Farm TourAttired with his rain slicker and boots,Congressman Courtney spent a rainyOctober day visiting farmers in Enfieldand Suffield to discuss agriculturalissues. The 2nd district Congressmanspoke to farmers and local officialsabout the successes and challenges fac-ing Connecticut’s local agriculturists.The wet weather was an appropriateback drop as farmers described theeffects that this year’s weather had onproduction and sales. Toured farms

President Don Tuller awardsSenate President Don Williamsthe Sustaining Friend of CTAgriculture award.

Outstanding Member of the Year Herman Weingart and his family.

See "Annual" on page 6

included Jarmoc’sFarm, Collins Pow-der Hill Farm andSmyth’s TrinityFarm in Enfieldand Cupola HollowFarm in WestSuffield.

Courtney is afounder and co-chairman of therecently revivedCongressional Dairy Farmers’ Caucus,which has been instrumental in raisingthe alarm of the dire economic condi-

Steve Jarmoc, CongressmanCourtney and President Tullerat Jarmoc's Farm.

See "Tour" on page 12

Publication of The Connecticut Farm Bureau • www.cfba.org December 2009

2 3

Connecticut Farm Bureau775 Bloomfield Ave.Windsor, CT 06095860-768-1100 Fax 860-768-1108www.cfba.org

THE CONNECTICUT FARM BUREAU NEWS is published 6 times a yearby The Connecticut Farm Bureau Association. The editor welcomesletters on agriculturaltopics and news itemsabout Farm Bureaumembers and activities.

©2009 Connecticut Farm Bureau

B O A R D O FD I R E C T O R SDon TullerPresident

Jamie Jones1st Vice President

Melissa Greenbacker2nd Vice President

Bill SymeTreasurer

Myron AveryJohn BennettTom BradyKimberly BrockettWayne BudneyJudy ChaseTom DexterJohn HallJoanna SamuelsonDebbi Tanner

S T A F FSteven K. ReviczkyExecutive Directorstever@cfba.org

Cynthia MelmerOperations Managercynthiam@cfba.org

Kathy Dunai-ThibedeauDirector of Programs and LeadershipDevelopmentkathy@cfba.org

Amanda Freund CFBA Dairy CommitteeGrassroots OrganizingDirector/CFBA Director ofMembership Recruitmentand Retentionamandaf@cfba.org

Gini NagyMembership Liaisonginin@cfba.org

Joan NicholsGovernment RelationsSpecialistjoann@cfba.org

Sally ManciniMarketingCommunicationsSpecialistsally@cfba.org

AdvertisingRates/DeadlinesOur deadline is six weekspreceding publication.Please call (860) 768-1100for rates. Discountedadvertising rates areavailable for CFBAMembers.

County Farm BureauOffices Fairfield•203-240-2295Hartford•860-844-8444Litchfield•203-266-9019Middlesex•860-349-1250New Haven•203-269-0151New London•860-642-7811Tolland • 860-742-5725Windham • 860-923-2710

F R O M T H E F A R M M A S T H E A D

From the President..Farm Bureau was founded on the idea that farmers,working together and speaking with one voice, canaccomplish much more than solitary efforts. With yourhelp, in 2009, CFBA proved this philosophy and builtupon that truth yet again.

This year gave us poor weather, difficult economic condi-tions and very low dairy prices. Legislatively, there wereefforts to take away farmer tax exemptions and other as-of-right protections. In response, CFBA created a cam-paign to “Save Dairy”, fought to keep the farmer sales tax and motor fuelexemptions, and preserved inland wetlands as-of-right protections.

In 2009, we also began a new sponsor relationship with Nationwide Insuranceand reached out to many farmers who were not members in an attempt tobuild our membership. In addition, the Member Services Company continued toadd valuable member benefits.

My first year as CFBA President has been more satisfying than I ever expected. I appreciate the opportunity to serve on your behalf, and I look forward to theupcoming year. When we work together, CFBA can be the effective force thatwe all need it to be for Connecticut farmers.

Sincerely,

Donald W. Tuller

December 2009:CFBA Offices Closed-ChristmasDecember 25 • 860-768-1100

January 2010:Young Farmer Committee meetingJanuary 5 • ctyoungfarmers.comAFBF Annual Meeting and ConventionJanuary 10-13 • 860-768-1100New Haven County Farm Bureau Meet and GreetJanuary 20 • 203-269-0151eBenefits Medicare Advantage Seminar January 26 • 800-827-4227 x 221

CFBA CalendarFebruary 2010:AFBF Commodity Advisory Committee Meeting Feb. 14-16 • 860-768-1100Young Farmer Committee meeting2nd week in Feb. • amandaf@cfba.orgYoung Farmer Leadership ConferenceFeb. 19-22 • 860-768-1100

March 2010:CFBA Farming and Inland Wetlands ForumMarch 4 • 860-768-1100

Please check the latest listings at: http://www.cfba.org/html/calendar

Welcome New Members 9/5 – 10/31/09 Fairfield:Ken Twombly Gilbert; Bruce & Karen Williams;Fred Monahan, Stone Garden Farms; Kim & Jef-frey Greenberg, Salmon Kill Farm; Sebastian &Marie Filippone; Jerry Sargent; Tara Bryson, But-terfield Farm Company; Andrew Knuth; BenSaunders, Ambler Farm; William S. Dlugas, DlugasFarm; Brian R. Somwaru,Vavas Insurance & Finan-cial Services; James D. Vavas, Vavas Insurance &Financial Services; Sami Debs; Maria Manuli;Robert J. Wokanovicz; Linda Kalata; SandraNiki-forides; Donald Machir; Stephen R. Mills Jr; GlennRooney; Kevin Barry; Jaime Jannetti; Sheila Rear-don; Martin Lynch; Godfrey Smith; Jose Santiago;John Lawrence; Daniel Paz; Harvey Arrington;Joan A. Giannone; Andrea Wright; AnthonyDuva; Joan A. Giannone; Gary Moro; Richard

Stern; Richard Kuhn; Jennifer Hall; Joseph Mayer;Abdellah Essoussi; Marcelo's Garden; LouiseThompson; Earth Garden Florist & Nursery; FrancoGarden Center; Joe's Nursery; Paddock Tree &Lawn; Pine Hill Flower Shop; Putnam Tree Service;David Benjamin, Wakeman Nursery Inc.; PondSpring Nurseries; Weston Gardens Inc.; Cottage Gar-den Co.; Scott Deniston, Young's Nurseries Inc.;Brookside Nurseries Organic Soils; Rob Saunders,True Organics; Bolton Tree & LandscapingInc.;Frank's Farm; Sunshine Garden Center; Tram-posch Nursery; Ken Covino, Frogtown Nurseries;Mark Hicks, Elise Landscapes & Nursery LLC.; JohnSterba, Greegs Garden Center & Landscape; LocustGlen Garden Center; Steven CarmichaelCT TreeDoctor; Samuel Nezvesky, Sam's Tree Farm; JeromeRocherolle, Shanti-Bithi Nursery; Russell Andrew,The Care Of Trees; Exquisite Environments GardenCenter; Janet Chakwin, Robidoux Landscaping &Bettswood Gardens; Country Farm Nursery;Reynolds Farm Nurseries; Greg Passeck, L&L Ever-Green Inc.; Chris Baliko, Growing Solutions LLC; BillSabia, Peacable Farms; American Irrigation Systems;Langanke's Florists & Greenhouses; Merry Arena,Merrywood Farm; Marshall Condon; AlexandraCoppola, Coppola Country Farm Nursery; GerardoMalagisi, High Ridge Nursery; Lou Capone,D & LPlant Care Inc.; Scott Jamison, Oliver's Nurseries Inc.;Shady Tree; Ganim Garden Center Nurserymen;Johnsons Nurseries Inc.; Plant Factory Inc.; WilliamMiro, Miro Greenhouses; Rob Cardini, Ceci BrosNursery Inc.; De La Rosa Gardens; Earthworks OfGreenwich; House And Garden Shop; Mcardle'sFlorist And Garden Center; Sakson Nursery Inc.;Skovron Nursery; Suburban Farmer Co.; PatrickO'Hara; Bradford Orr, Seven Maples Nursery; RothBros Nursery; Jeremy Blumm, Fairfield Stone &Landscp Supl.; Colonial Gardens; Bridgeport Aqua-culture FFA; Westhill High School FFA; TrumbullHigh School FFA; Digrazia Vineyard; MclaughlinVineyards; Keith Barker, Gardener's Center &Florists; Chris Mcgoldrick, The Growing Concern; A-1 Topsoil Co.; Springdale Florists & Garden Center;

See "Members" on page 5

The Land Appraisal ProfessionalThomas W. Henry, MAI

More than 30 years experience appraising farm & rural properties

• Conservation easements • Land subject to conservation easements • Certified to do non-cash charitable contributions33 Wynding Hills Road East Granby, CT 06026P. 860-651-4034Fx 860-651-4049Licensed in CT, MA & RI

4

Publication of The Connecticut Farm Bureau • www.cfba.org December 2009

5

From "Members" on page 3

See "Members" on page 9

Sal Gilbertie, Gilbertie's Herb Gardens Inc.; GregoryMaroun, Steck's Nursery & Landscaping; Marcelo'sGarden; Peter Robidoux, Peter's Home & Garden;Caesar's Nursery; Lisa Beebe, Garden EducationCenter; Frank Derosa, Shemin Nurseries Inc.; YankeeTree Resources; Richard Bavosa, Stamford RegionalFFA Chapter; Will Kesler, Stamford FFA; StephanieWatko, Woodbury FFA; Richard Bavosa, StamfordRegional FFA Chapter; Sara Halm, Stamford Region-al FFA Chapter; Astha Patni, Stamford FFA; TomAddison, Stamford FFA; Alexander Smith, StamfordFFA; Will Kesler, Stamford FFA; John Flynn, Stam-ford Regional FFA

Hartford:

Thomas & Linda Sheridan, T-Ranch; MaryChojnicki;Gary J. Beresford, Round Hill Farm; James Zagors-ki,Zagorski Farms LLC; Gary Keeney; KatherineBogli,Maple View Farm; Jonathon L. & CherylEnsign; Jared & Suzie Matkowski; Nicole Foster;George Amatore; Karen Mitton; Michael Eaton;Deborah Rosario; Allen Eaton; Glen Corson; SallyMancini; Arthur W. Sweeton, III, Seven Oaks; LauraJudd; Catherine Graffy; Vincent Fioramonti;Heather Vannostrand; Sherri Hall; Kevin Ortiz; JeffRoss; David Anderson, Sunnybrook Farms; EvaChomicz, Plant Therapy Solutions; Avon Cider Mill;Holly Farm; Hans Van Der Spek, J.C. Van Der SpekGreenhouse Serv.; Nutmeg Farm Garden Center;Deb Donohoe, Lost In Thyme Garden LLC; PatriciaJakatavich Imperial Nurseries; Harry Wilcox, Jr.,Farmington Valley Nursery; Twelve Tree Nursery;Phil Wojtusik, Wojtusik Nursery And Garden Center;Country Gardens Inc.; Baldwin Farm Perennial Gar-dens; Frank Thomann, Charter Oak Landscape &Nursery Sales; Gerald Heresko, Bristol Mum Inc.;Kasheta Farms; Peter Crowe, Jensen's Inc.; GreatAmerican Home Brew Supply; Mike Wrobel, Win-terberry Gardens LLC; David Armstrong, David T.Armstrong Nursery; Brian Sikes, Sikes Tree Service;Perleoni & Son Garden & Nursery Center;Bidwell'sYard Garden & Pet; Steve Jaeger, Butler Florist &Garden Center, LLC; Robert & Nancy Shipman, Ship-man Nursery,LLC; Robert Powell, Gledhill NurseryInc.; Valley Home & Garden Center; Bruce Mccue,Mccue Gardens; Scott Wheeler, Winding Brook TurfFarm Inc.; Peter & Celina O'Meara, B & P Turf Farm;Ken's Nursery & Garden; Kevin Cavalier, PatrissiNursery Center Inc.; Mark Bussolini, The KenmarkCompany; Tom Hinman, Riverside Nursery & Gar-den Center; Jamie Gilbert, Harken's Garden Center;James McKinney, River Valley Growers; Nancy Wen-zel, Northern Nurseries; Douglas Zeytoonjian, TurfProducts Corporation; Hawthorne Agway; TarnowNursery; Chris Field, Greencycle Of The Northeast;Burgess Nursery; Donald Ford, Stonegate GardensInc.; Chuck Hart, Revay's Gardens & Gift Shop;Edward Willard, New England Seed Company;Christina Berger, Berger's Nursery; Todd Cloutier,Ameriscape LLC; David Sylvester, Agr Evo Usa Com-pany; Johnson Gardens; Marc Laviana, Sunny Bor-der Nurseries; Judy Mattson, New England GardenSales; Vittners Garden Center Inc.; John Mathews,New Britain Nursery & Landscape; Weber's Nursery;Sam Frink, Frink Garden Center; Elizabeth Swanson;Rosedale Vineyards, LLC; Karen Chase; Ann Lewis;Harris Agriscience & Technology Center; Glaston-bury High School - Ag Ed; Southington High SchoolFFA

Litchfield:Thomas M. Fitzgerald III, Greyledge Farm; Greg Bol-lard, Maywood Farm; David Blyn, Riverbank FarmLLC.; Stephen Dubois, Farm Dubois; StonehedgeFarm, Donald Govotski; Duncan Mc Dougall; Don-ald Albert, Cedar Ridge Farm; Joseph & DawnDesteph; Lavender Creek Farm LLC; June & HenryBissonnette; Gene Heavens, Bryan Heavens Logging& Firewood; Laura Freund; Karl Riva; Winter MeadII, Mead's Maple; RaymondBolek, GeofdebjonAcres; M. Elaine La Roche, Haisdan Farm LLC; LloydAlbin, Campers Choice Trees; Kellie Devan; H. BruceMc Ever; Bill Arnold, Fieldstone Farm; Christopher B.Clow, Weathercock Farm; Steven Norden; Lawrence& Holly Johnson; Michelle Hood; Ira & Jennifer

Kaplan; Tikva Wolff, Wolf's Farm; Nicholle Jejer;Timothy Mcdonagh, TFM Co. LLC; Jeff Lynch, RockCobble Farm; Carmine Polletta, Agri Care Of Con-necticut; Greystone Greenhouses;Kozlak's DiscountNursery; Kerry Gallagher, Beardsley Gardens; MariaDomack, Moscarillo's Garden Shoppe; SteveKinkade, Shepaug Flower Farm; William Hosking,James S. Hosking Nursery; Mark's Garden Center;Stonewood Farm; Agway-Woodbury; Hale's Wood-land Gardens; The Urban Forester Inc.; EdwardDecortin, Twin Oaks Horticultural Association LLC;Jeannette Dean, Backyard Botanical; Edward Dillon,Jr., Keed's Farm LLC; John Acerbi Litchfield HillsNursery Inc.; Jay Laplaca, South Farms Nursery Inc.;Goshen Nurseries; Sepple's Tree Service; Lee Bouch-er, New England Bark Mulch; Bruce Bennett, TheKent Greenhouse; Old Farm Nursery; Tom Martin-sen; Andi Cantele, Marigold Gardens LLC; DavidO'Leary, Agway-New Milford; Boreal Forests; JudithBecker, Lauray Of Salisbury; Barbara Pierson, WhiteFlower Farm; Douglas Baldwin, Fieldstone Nursery;Robert Marques, Meadowbrook Farms LLC; ScottMelatti, Scott's Nursery Landscape Supplies LLC;Mary Wilton, Mountain Meadow Farm; CosmosGreenhouse & Nursery; Nash Pradhan, Ginger CreekNursery; Margaret Burnett, Gardenmaker LLC;Peter Whitney; Nick Vasileff, Vasileff Nurseries Inc.;Eric Mendelsohn, Salisbury Garden Center LLC;David Johnson, Spruce Brook Nursery Inc.; KathleenNelson, Kathleen Nelson Perennials; Susan Alvord,Connecticut Cut Flower; Dennis Dodge, BethlehemNursery; Hidden Garden/Rabinowitz Greenhouses;Windover Garden Center & Florist; John O'Donnell,O'Donnell Nursery; Brian O'Neil, Cornwall Gardens;Nora Hulton, Nora's Nursery & Florist; Thomas Scott,Falls Village Flower Farm; Aspetuck Gardens; Straw-berry Ridge Vineyards; Northwinds Vineyard; StaceyFerraro; Kimberly Thorn; Sunset Meadow Vineyard;Michael Orefice; Alphonse Avitabile; Daniel & Glo-ria Masopust, Brierwood Nurseries; Jerram Winery;Eileen Graham; Elaine Frost; Abbey Of Regina Laud-is; Walter & Rebecca Burcroff; Alan Lovejoy; Rhon-daJaacks; CT Junior Republic FFA; Robert Gambino,Northeast Tree-Pond-Turf Service; Katie Beadle,Northwestern Regional FFA; Taylor Espitee, Wood-bury FFA Chapter; Katie Beadle, NorthwesternRegional FFA; Meghan Tanner Wamogo; VictorSalazar, Northwestern Reg. FFA; Jessica Roth,Woodbury FFA Chapter; Jessica Myer, WoodburyFFA; Sarah Curless, Woodbury FFA Chapter; MarisaBedron, Woodbury FFA

Middlesex:Leonard Brooks III; Janine Kanapicki; Steven Gold-blatt; Robert & Catherine Chase, Spencer Hill Farm;Joseph P. Geraghty; LizaDavis; Pamela & WilliamDemiris; Pro-Turf; Russell Egan, Hillcrest GardensNursery Inc.; Arthur Scovill, Scovill Landscape & Gar-den Center; Viola Lawn Service & Garden Center;Joseph Paolella, Cromwell Growers; Laura Miezejes-ki, Hortus Perennials; Gastler Farm Nursery; MillerTree Farm; Alicia Rockwell, Akers Of Gardens; DanPeszynski, Paul's & Sandy's Too; Samuel Riggio, Rig-gio's Garden Center; Robert Glazier, Town & Coun-try Nurseries Inc.; Walter Kops; Nutmeg Flower Farm;Circle D Nursery Inc.; Damon Panzera, Blue CedarGardens; Killingworth Nurseries Inc.; Mary Johnson,Me Johnson Nurseries; Dawn Graham, G & H Grow-ers; Rob Townsend, A&R Water Gardens; DavidRichards, Clinton Nurseries Inc.; Connecticut Plants-man LLC; Jill Sliker, Briggs Nursery; Alice Durinick; Jef-fery Harvey, Brush Hill Farm; Herbert Clark III;Heather Birdsey; Doug & Joan Paul; Kathleen Wor-thington; Mary Jane Lis, DVM; Carol Martin; WendyWelter; Rick & Allison Trojanoski; Giuseppe Catura-no; Nathan Hale-Ray High School FFA; Ty & DavidZemelsky, Star Light Gardens; Melissa Gibson, Well-stone Farm; Hanna Mellaly, Mattabeset FFA Chap-ter; Jami-Lynn Korpela, Ray FFA Chapter; RobertJohnson, Ray FFA Chapter; Kaligh Hargraves, FFAChapter Ray

New Haven:Roy & Bill Detlefsen, The Last Frontier; Kristine M.Garcia; Angelo M. Palombo; Howard Raccio, RaccioFarm; Mark & Patricia Oczkowski, Red Twil RidgeFarm; Gennaro Savino, Savino Vineyards; Bob &Cindy Harrison, Breezy Knolls; Howard & Evelyn

Publication of The Connecticut Farm Bureau • www.cfba.org December 2009

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kitchens. The Board of Directors will setCFBA’s legislative priorities based onapproved policy in anticipation of the2010 legislative session.

In addition to policy development,delegates heard additional reportsfrom Treasurer Bill Syme,Executive Director SteveReviczky, Investment Com-mittee Chairman SteveSolley, Member ServicesCompany President Ran-dolph Blackmer, Jr., andJudith Blei GovernmentRelations. Presentationsfrom a variety of speakerscovered topics includingthe 2007 Census of Agri-culture, reliable risk management toolsavailable through RMA, and the impactof the UCONN dairy study and “SaveDairy” campaign.

The luncheon program was high-lighted by a speech by Mark Maslyn,American Farm Bureau Federation VicePresident for Public Policy. Duringlunch, Commissioner of Agriculture PhilPrelli, Commissioner of Motor VehiclesRobert Ward, and Commissioner of the

Department of Environmental Protec-tion Amey Marrella joined delegatesand spoke about important develop-ments for Connecticut agriculture.

After dinner and awards, CFBAYoung Farmer Committee members

drew the winningticket for a pedaltractor donatedby Stanton Equip-ment and raffledoff a number ofgift baskets. LoriLonghi represent-ing the Connecti-cut AgriculturalEducation Foun-dation Board ofDirectors issuedthe Foundation’syearly county chal-lenge and was suc-cessful in bringingin several thou-

sand dollars. Through the yearly chal-lenge and the silent auction theFoundation is able to continue theirsupport of various agricultural educa-tion programs throughout Connecticut.

CFBA ExecutiveDirector SteveReviczky andMark Maslyn,AFBF VicePresident forPublic Policy.

The Association’s Outstanding Mem-ber Award is presented annually toan individual who has a long-termdemonstrated commitment to FarmBureau. This year the award was pre-sented to Herman R. Weingart ofNew London County. Herm has beena member of CFBA for 53 years andhas served in various leadership roleson the county and state level. “Forfour decades Herman has been anintegral part of the policies thatmold and guide every Farm Bureaumember as a county representativeand/or delegate. He has held a seaton the New London County Board ofDirectors for over 40 years,” statedWayne Budney in Weingart’s awardapplication. Furthermore, Herm hasbeen involved in local politicsthrough Planning and Zoning andInland Wetlands Watercourse Com-missions and the Board of Education.CT Farm Bureau was honored toaward Herman with this year’s Out-standing Member Award.

Governor M. Jodi Rell receivedspecial recognition for her support ofthe dairy industry. In addition to pro-viding emergency assistance to thestate’s dairy farmers, she also imple-mented a two-year program to sup-plement dairy farmers when the costof production exceeds the federalpay price for milk.

Five state legislators were recognizedfor their support and leadership on keyagriculture legislation during the 2009state legislative session. Senate Presi-dent Donald Williams, Jr. (D-29)received the Sustaining Friend of Con-necticut Agriculture award. SenatorWilliams was honored for his long termcommitment to the future of farmingincluding the establishment and pro-tection of the Community InvestmentAct, farmland protection and dairy via-bility. House Majority Leader DeniseMerrill (D-54) received the SpecialRecognition award. RepresentativeMerrill was recognized for her leader-ship role in establishing a bi-partisanworking group to further legislation insupport of the dairy industry. Representative Bryan Hurlburt (D-53)received the Legislator of the YearAward for his outstanding advocacy forfarmers and CT agriculture includingvalue-added agriculture (The PickleBill), continued funding for Ag Viabilitygrants under the Community Invest-ment Act, animal agriculture and dairy.State Representative Pam Sawyer (R-55)also received the Legislator of the Yearaward for her continued support of CTagriculture and work advocating for aprogram to support CT dairy farmers.State Representative Joan Lewis (D-8)was also honored with the Legislator ofthe Year award for her sustained effortsin the adoption of legislation to main-tain a viable dairy industry and her support of farmers and farming in CT.

Earning the Farm Bureau LegislativeAction Award this year was New Lon-don County farm bureau memberAnita Kopchinski. Anita was recognizedfor her work furthering The Pickle Billin the 2009 legislative session. Anitawas actively engaged throughout thelegislative session and worked toreach out to lawmakers on thisimportant Bill.

Wayne Budney, also of New LondonCounty earned this year’s award forGrassroots Involvement. Wayne hasbeen active in organizing right-to-farmcommittees in Colchester, Columbiaand Lebanon and is an enthusiasticsupporter of Connecticut agriculture.

Fairfield County Farm Bureaureceived the 2009 CT Farm Bureaumembership award. Fairfield was theonly County to meet their CT FarmBureau membership goal by increasingtheir county’s membership during the2009 membership year.

Two of Connecticut’s young farmerswere recognized for their contributionsto agriculture. Both Joanna Samuelsonand Jamie Jones received a $500 awardfrom Dodge and the opportunity torepresent CFBA at the AFBF AnnualMeeting in January. Joanna receivedthe Excellence in Agriculture awardand Jamie Jones received the YoungFarmer Achievement award.

Recognition of the top performersamong Nationwide® agents was alsoa part of this year’s Annual MeetingAwards. Ken Davis representing theNationwide® Board of Directors andGary Douglas, President of Nation-wide® Agribusiness joined FarmBureau members in honoring: BrianRogers-#2 Farm Bureau membershipwriter and #1 Farm Policy writer;Craig Meier-#1 Farm Bureau mem-bership writer; Chris Lyons-#2 FarmPolicy writer; Jeff Tobin-#3 FarmBureau membership writer; and ChrisCaluori-#3 Farm Policy writer.

Rounding out the list of awardsfor 2009 was a Special Recognitionaward for UConn College of Agricul-ture and Natural Resources for theirstudy of the economic impact of thedairy industry in Connecticut.

C T F A R M B U R E A U 2 0 0 9 A W A R D SFrom "Annual" on page 1

Top: Nationwide® Insurancerepresentatives at CFBA’sAnnual MeetingAbove Left: StateRepresentative Joan Lewisreceives the CFBA Legislator of the Year award fromPresident Tuller.Above Center: Wayne Budneyreceives the GrassrootsInvolvement award.Above Right: RepresentativeBryan Hurlburt speaks afterreceiving CFBA’s Legislator ofthe Year award. Bottom: Dean Weidemann ofUConn College of Ag andNatural Resources and Dr.Lopez accept the SpecialRecognition award.

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Publication of The Connecticut Farm Bureau • www.cfba.org December 2009

Zach Olson25 Bear Swamp Rd, Andoverzncheese@aol.com

Zach Olson has a 60-tap maple syrupoperation, producing 15 gallons, andhe is working to grow his business. Healso works for Hytone Farm in Coven-try, a dairy that is part of Farmer’sCow. Hytone Farmhas 240 Holsteincows, 165 youngstock and 200 acresfor corn silage and130 acres for grasssilage.

The Farmer’s Cow is a group of six Connecticut dairyfarms, marketing their own milk products, eggs and other beveragesthroughout the state. Zach is responsi-ble for manure application, equip-ment and building maintenance andcrop work. As an employee of theFarmer’s Cow, Zach admits that it

gives him more of a retail/marketingfocus when it comes to farming.

Zach is involved in the Young Farmers Committee and the CFBADairy Committee. He is also a memberof the Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut. Zach graduated from UConn with a degreein Animal Science.

Zach feelsthat Con-necticut isheadedtoward amore retail-based mar-ketplace,rather thanwholesale.

Connecticut and CFBA should help topromote locally produced food andagricultural products while protectingfarmers ability to produce that food.Zach understands that farmers needto make the local public more awareof where their food comes from andhow it is produced.

This series highlights the future of farming in Connecticut. By focusing on Connecticut FarmBureau’s Young Farmers, these profiles will show the changing face of agriculture in our state.Connecticut’s farmers must respond with a resilient, determined spirit to face mounting feed

and fuel costs and changes in consumer preferences.

LAWRENCE REAL ESTATEFarms, Land, Estates, Horse Properties

Eastern ConnecticutAshford Resident Since 1973!

GARY H. LAWRENCE, CRBOWNER/BROKER

Phone: (860) 429-7240 Cell: (860) 428-9126Email: gary@lawrencesells.com

On the web: www.lawrencesells.com126 Storrs Road, Mansfield Center, CT 06250

Zach Olson

From "Members" on page 5Belinsky, Belinsky Family Farm; Randi Lewis; SandraArtaiz; Joanne Kraynak; Christine Fronckiewcz;Andrea Messina; Leodan B. Yepez Poveda; HowardRunyon; Kathy Coletta; Carolyn Mason; Chris Walk-er; William Baer; Jose Avila; Johanne Henderson;John Matteis; Cheryle Pacapelli; Nathaniel Wash-ington; Lemarr Massenburg; Shawna O'Neil;Charles Chancio; Miriam Vitale; Mary Germe;Robert Walzer; Todd Brandi, Pioneer Mortgage;Peter Amento; Erni Childers; Melissa Safouane;Janet Self; Rhonda Laudano; Edmund & AndreaRamo; Lori Turmel; Gordon Szymczak; MatthewOrsini; Santiago Baez; Bruce Butler, B&B PowerEquipment; Salvatore Cioffi, Oak Tree Nurseries;Fairway Gardens; Sherman Valley Nursery; RalphDisanto, Paradise Nurseries LLC; Tim Blundon; JeffSantoro, Madison Garden Center; Holly Johnson,Summer Hill Nursery Inc.; Sharon Vumbaco, QualityGarden & Equipment; Steve Banyay; ChristopherBarretta, Barretta Gardens LLC; Jeffrey Auerbach,Country Fare LLC; Robert Macchia, Q-Gardens;Greenwich Nurseries; Agway Wilmot Bros.; ScottHickman; Prospect Gardens Inc.; Agway-NorthBranford; Carlo Bergamini, Carlton Gardens;Michael Annatone, Annatone Nursery Farm; MikeSchuchmann, East Side Greenhouses; Simon's FarmMarket; Laurel Hill Nursery; Bill Beebe, CheshireNursery, Inc.; Todd Connery, C.H. Robinson Co.; Jef-frey King, Hickory Ridge Nursery; Alfred Devylder,Devylder Greenhouses; Dennis Fowler, Kurt WeissGreenhouses Of CT; John Mcginnis, The Gardens AtCheshire LLC; Bill Van Wilgen, Van Wilgen's GardenCenter; Anne Mcintyre-Lahner; Sarah Murray,DVM;Ellen Adomelis; Evan Dudley; Maurice Blanchette,A Public Flower & Garden; Norm Schmidt, Jr.,Schmidt Gardens; Pat Aiello, Bell Nurseries Inc.;Diane King, Phil's Garden Center; Agway Of NorthHaven Farm Supply; Paul Chipman, Cedar RidgeNursery; Benjamin Neal, Southbury Tree Service;Oxford Farms Growing Center; Joan Chevrier, Colo-nial Irrigation; Wesley Rouse, Pine Meadow Gar-dens Inc.; Wildewood Gardens; Wisteria Hill FarmNursery; Mary Tomlinson, Krikit's Garden Center;Robert Wilber, Wilber & King Nurseries; VincentGloria, Vinny's Garden Center Inc.; Rede GardenCenter; Walter Atwood, Pillwillup Farm; SoundSchool Of New Haven FFA; Lyman Hall High SchoolFFA; Peter Rothenberg, Northfordy Farm; MikeBurns, Kate & Mike's Naturally Grown

New London:Glenn Dahlke, Ashlawn Farm; Linda Adelman, SixPaca Farm; Daniel A. Jeffrey, Pequot Plant Farm;Peter D. Calvert; William G. Grant Jr.; Lynwood &Jennifer Crary; Michael & Kathleen Poiner, Feather-hill Farm; John Olsen, Olsen's Tree Farm; KarenBenedict, Babe Farm; Paul & Patricia Peltier, Triple"P" Paddocks; Nancy Franklin, Marvel Farm LLC;Richard W. Dexter, Briarledge Farm; Nancy Franklin,Marvel Farm LLC; Richard W. Dexter, BriarledgeFarm; William J. Loftus, Loftus Farm; Mary Fischer,Bit By Bit Stables; Eric Hoxie, Red Oak Stable;William Dall Jr.; Traci Butler; Brian Campbell; Timo-thy Hathaway; Marcus P. Job; Peter Larkin; DaliceElizabeth; Jonathan Edwards Winery; SaltwaterFarm Vineyard;Stonington Vineyards; Fred Capac-chione, Capacchione Greenhouses; Eugene Copp;Suzanne Sankow; Anthony Marfat; SharonMoroch; William Cournoyer; Richard Lightfoot;

Joyce Vournazos; Celine Sicard; Muriel Weber; CarlRunkle; Ruth Howard; Jack Fidrych; Teri Smith,Smith's Acres LLC; Rich Oliver, Perennial Harmony;Hathaway Greenhouse; Philip Tuthill, Tuthill Nurs-ery & Garden Center; Geer Tree Farm; Mark Sellew,Prides Corner Farms Inc.; Tim Black, Timbuck 2 Gar-den Center; Jim Nieuwenhuis, Stonington Gardens;Baltic Greenhouse Nursery; Edmund Gregan II, Carl-ton Plants LLC; Jennifer Hibbard, Fox Hill Growers;River Run Nurseries; Brian Viltrakis, Plant & FlowerDepot Of Oakville LLC; Bridge Gardens; Yankee TreeService; Robert Lasaracina, Salem Country Gardens;Marlis Jacobwitz, Stonybrook Valley Tree Farm;Kathryn Moore, Kathy's Gardening; Agway Inc OfYantic; Kelly Andersen, Oasis Gardens LLC; LedyardHigh School FFA

Tolland: Joanne Hansen, High Fields Farm; Charles & HeidiGalgowski; Jonathan Moser; Zach Olson; NicoleRoethlein, Wildwood Acres; Sandra Ashley, Dalton-Ashley Acres; Roger D. Tellefsen, Tellefsen Farm;Andrew Ansaldi Jr; Barbara Lemek; PrescottLehmann, Hickory Ridge Tree Farm; Steve Norris;Shaun & Holly Harrington; David & Brenda Houle;John Andrychowski; Thomas Ellenberg; Sarah Ellen-berg; Hillcrest Garden Center; James Cropley, Crop-ley's Garden Center & Landscaping; Tessier's Nursery& Landscapers Inc.; Mark Eitelman, Agri-Scape Inc.;Agway Inc. Of Ellington; Stephen Whitham,Whitham Nursery; Cassidy Hill Vineyard; Alex Roy,Connecticut FFA Foundation; Rebecca Reynolds,Connecticut FFA Foundation; Linda Palmer, DVM;Jean Denapoli, DVM; Melissa Ferguson; Katie Bom-bria; Christine Collins; Claudette Choma; LaurelAtwood; Cheryl Ryan; Rachael Gately; Lynn Stod-dard; Bonnie & Paul Kegler; Jim & Kim Cipiello,Terra Gardens; Dennis Gliha, The Garden Barn Nurs-ery; Kenneth Crooke, Ken's Landscaping & Nursery;Christopher Campbell, Hockanum Industries Green-house; Pete Nickerson, Somersville Gardens; Becky& Ray Mecklenburg, Mecklenburg Farm LLC;Ledgecrest Garden Center; Midgard Nurseries; Ver-non Tree Service; JoanAllen, Uconn Home & GardenEd. Center; E.O. Smith High School FFA; RockvilleHigh School FFA; Kenneth Cone, Cedar Ledge TreeFarm; Gregory Clarke, UCONN CANR

Windham: Richard Dezso; Art Talmadge, Cranberry Hill Farm;Richard B. Young; Peter & Mary Concklin; BerniceLoser; Roland F. La Pensee, Quarter Ridge Farm;David Gardner; Susan Barry, Misty Highland Farm;Carl Correra; Renee Gelinas; Anna Burnham; LynnBiesiadecki; Leslie Lupien; Keri Boucher; RebeccaStedman; Ann & Michael Bourke; Jim Burlingame;Matthew Couzens; Quackin' Grass Nursery; RossGarden, Center & Nursery; Deborah Lee, WoodlandTrails Wildflower Nursery; Bob Harsch, Goose NeckGardens & Gift Shoppe; Patrick Roach, Goat StarTree; Greg Panu, Sunset Nurseries Garden Center;Ezequiel Garcia; Denise Ciastko, Pan's Acres NurseryLLC; TomGray, Verkade's Nursery Of Canterbury;Todd Burnett; Frank Anastasio, Wagon Road Farm& Greenhouse; Byron Martin, Logee's Greenhouses;Stan Megos, The Variegated Foliage Nursery; JimReck, Acorn Ridge Garden; Moosup Gardens Learn-ing Ctr.; Daniel Spencer, Highland Gardens Nursery;Woodstock Wild Flower Nursery

Policy Matters:

Fuel Tax InitiativeOver the next few months, the CT Department of Motor Vehicles will be increasing spot inspections to check for illegal use ofdyed diesel in on-road motor vehicles. This is a statewide effort to catch fuel users who are attempting to bypass paying road tax by using dyed diesel in their on-road motor vehicles. Dyed diesel should only be used inoff road applications.

Middlesex County CFBA

member Peter Bergan,

owner of Peaceful Hill

Tree Farm in East Hampton,

CT was awarded 2009 CT

Outstanding Tree Farmer

of the Year. Congratulations to Peter

and his family.

Shawn McGillicuddy of Square AFarm in Lebanon was named the CTDairy Farmer of the Year by theNew England Green PasturesAward program.

First Pioneer Farm

Credit recently announced

that Jason Hoagland

has been promoted to

assistant vice president

for the organization.

Congratulations, Jason.

Senator Doddaccepts the AFBFFriend of Farmer

award for his support for farmers

in the 110th U.S. Congress. CFBA thanks the many

volunteers who donated

their time to assemble a

recent mailing to over

5,000 farmers.

11

Publication of The Connecticut Farm Bureau • www.cfba.org December 2009

M E M B E R S E R V I C E S

NEED MORE INFO? HAVE AN IDEA FOR A

NEW SERVICE?

Contact CT Farm Bureau Member Services at:860-768-1106 • cynthiam@cfba.org

MEMBER SERVICES, INC.

10

Please contact:Mike Bartlett (bartlett@hullforest.com) Hull Forest Products, 101 Hampton Road, Pomfret Center CT 06259 Phone -860.974.0127

Procurement Forester NeededDuties include research of town records, developing clients, boundarylocation, marking, contract negotiations, working with municipal boardsand subcontracted logging crews;occasional equipment operation. Safety awareness and solid people skills required. Must have, or be able to obtain promptly, CT Forester Certification. Full benefit package, company vehicle, and incentives.

CT Farm Bureau Member Services, Inc. thank the following Service Companies for their generous contributions of door prizes for our Annual Meeting:

Nationwide® Insurance Benefits: Special Savings for CFBA Members

• Up to 7% Savings on Auto Insurance• 7% Savings on Farm Insurance• Travel Insurance• Veterinary Pet Insurance®

Nationwide provides for all your insur-ance protection needs including Auto,Home,Farm,Boat,ATV, Business and Life. For more infor-mation, contact Jim Keane at 860-808-8106 or 888-280-2711, your local Nationwide agent, or visit www.Nationwide.com.

eBenefits Group Northeast is a full-service, independent employeebenefits agency serving the healthinsurance and benefits needs of CTFarm Bureau members and their fami-lies. By incorporating them into your

operations, eBenefits can manageeveryday benefit functions simpler,faster and more cost effectively. Theybecome part of your running your busi-ness, minus the expense. Contact: SteveRepka 860.675.4227 / 800.827.4227

Capital Bankcard-Credit Card Processing – Members get the mostcompetitive pricing and rates, combinedwith thehighest levels of personalized customerservice and special member offers andrebates. Capital Bankcard offers wire-less, as well as traditional terminals, soeven farm stands, farmers’ markets andpick-your-own fields can become salespoints. Contact Bill Morrone, at 860-774-8210-office, or 860-234-1110-mobile, and mention Farm Bureau.

Dodge – $500 discount on retail pur-chase or lease of select Dodge vehiclesincluding; RAM 1500/2500/3500, RAM

3500/4500/5500 ChassisCabs, Dakota, Durango,Grand Caravan, Journey,Charger, Nitro, Caliber

and Avenger. This offer can be used inaddition to any national consumerincentives but cannot be combinedwith ON THE JOB Commercial Incentive,employee discounts, or other printedcertificate programs. Contact CT FarmBureau for a certificate.

Stanton EquipmentStop in today for thelatest farm equipment! • 2A Gandolfo Drive,

Canaan –(860) 824-1161

• 105 S. Main St., East Windsor –(860) 623-8296

• 1376 Norwich Rd., Plainfield –(860) 230-0130

Choice Hotels – 20% off regular rates. Hotels include: Clarion, Quality, Com-fort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn,Econo Lodge, Main Stay Suites, Rode-way Inn, and Suburban – locations inthe U.S. and around the world! Forreservations call toll-free – 800-258-2847or online at www.choicehotels.com.

Lands’EndBusiness Outfitters – 10% off productand embroidery fee online and phoneorders. Call 800.916.2255 or shoponline: ces.landsend.com/CTFB

Grainger – 10% discount when youpresent the Farm Bureau account num-ber. Call Cynthia at 860-768-1106 tolink the discount to your existingaccount. Free shipping with onlineorders! Order by phone – 877-202-

2594, fax –877-202-2593,

online- www.grainger.com, or at anyGrainger Branch location.

FBApparel –Need that per-sonal touch?Contact your FBApparel representative at 1-800-776-6221.

eBenefits Group Northeast is excited to announce a

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE SEMINAR FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS

TUESDAY JANUARY 26TH • 10:00 AM • CFBA Offices, Windsor

You have a lot to consider when selecting a Medicare plan. eBenefits can helpmake your search for a health plan easier and more convenient.

Please watch for further information via e-mail. If you would like to sign up forthe seminar or have questions, please contact Linda Gaetgens, eBenefits

800-827-4227 x221 or lgaetgens@ebenefitsgroup.com.

Distractions that take a driver’s eyes off the road even for just seconds put drivers and their passengers at great risk.:

Nationwide and NASCAR urge teens to “hang up and drive”Nearly three-quarters of Americansadmit they drive while distracted byactivities such as talking on the phone,texting, or fiddling with an MP3 player,according to a survey by NationwideInsurance.

The problem is especially bad foryoung drivers. In a 2008 survey, Nation-wide found that nearly 40 percent ofthe teenagers and young adults sur-veyed admitted they send and receivetext messages while driving - the samepercentage of those questioned whosaid they have been hit or almost hit byanother car whose driver was talkingon a cell phone.

“Clearly, distracted driving has takenover our roadways and Nationwidewants to educate all drivers that theyneed to focus on the road, not on theirtechnology, when behind the wheel,”said Bill Windsor, Associate Vice Presidentof Safety for Nationwide Insurance.“Text messaging comes natural to GenY-ers. However, multitasking while

behind the wheel is quite different frommultitasking while sitting at home.”

In fact, the National Highway TrafficSafety Administration says distracteddrivers account for nearly four out offive crashes in the U.S.

That’s why Nationwide Insurance hasteamed up with NASCAR NationwideSeries drivers, including Kyle Petty, tohold events at high schools across thecountry to drive home the messagethat multitasking behind the wheelputs drivers and their fellow motoristsat risk. At these events, students learnhow these distractions impact theirdriving when we challenge them torace in a NASCAR simulator while tex-ting on a cell phone.

“I am really excited to be a part ofthis campaign. Young drivers today arefaced with more distractions than everbefore, and diverting their attentionaway from the road with cell phonecalls and text messages creates a verydangerous situation,” said Petty. “It is

important for young adults to learnabout the risks associated with distract-ed driving. If we can raise awarenesson this particular subject I believe wecan save lives.”

For several years now, Nationwidehas been leading the charge againstDriving While Distracted (DWD) –which includes talking and texting oncell phones. Windsor said Nationwide’sefforts represent more than just a pub-lic awareness campaign. “We want tobe a part of the solution to this emerg-ing and dangerous social trend,” he said.

To help, Nationwide and the National Safety Council developedwww.NationwideSmartRide.com, aWebsite to provide parents and teensfree tools and resources to help devel-

op safe drivers and reinforce smartbehavior.

“Nationwide believes we canmake our roads a safer place todrive by finding solutions to theDWD problem through legislation,public awareness and encouragingthe development of new technolo-gy,” said Windsor. “In addition tosaving lives, fewer crashes couldresult in lower auto insurance costs.”

Connecticut Farm Bureau is asponsor of Nationwide, and endors-es Nationwide policies, many ofwhich are discounted for membersof Connecticut Farm Bureau. Pleaseask a nearby agent for moredetails, or visitwww.nationwide.com/cfba.

NASCAR driver Kyle Petty races Principal Barry Blair while trying to textat DWD event at the New Technology High School at Garinger, NC.(Kyle won the contest, but even as a professional driver, he struggledto stay on the track while texting).

The State of Connecticut, Depart-ment of Agriculture will accept agri-cultural lease proposals frominterested farmers wishing to leasefarmland for a period beginning nosooner than October 2010.

Approximately 263 acres of crop-land and pasture, with improve-ments, are available for farm lease.Owned by the State, Department ofAgriculture, the farm is in the townsof Lebanon and Colchester, CT.

Proposals will be reviewed by theCommissioner and an advisory com-mittee. Food and fiber producingagricultural activities will be consid-ered a priority. Overall impact on theproductivity and condition of theland by the submitted applicationswill be considered by the State. Thelease(s) may be for a term of up tofive years, with the option to renew,at the discretion of the Commission-er, for an additional five years.

For a bid request form, additionalinformation or sketches of the areasavailable for farm lease, please call860.713.2511 and leave your name,mailing address, phone number andinformation being requested.

Proposals should be addressed to:Farmland Preservation Program CT Department of AgricultureLebanon Farm Bid ProposalRoom G-8, 165 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106.

Proposals must be postmarked byFebruary 1, 2010 to be eligible forconsideration.

Invitation To Submit Proposals For Lease OnState Owned AgriculturalLands Located In LebanonAnd Colchester

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

BRIDGEPORT, CT

PERMIT NO.347

Connecticut Farm Bureau775 Bloomfield Avenue Windsor, CT 06095

The Voice of Connecticut Agriculture

Thank You to CFBA 2009 Annual Meeting Sponsors

Sustaining Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Northeast SARECapital BankcardCT Farm Risk Management(RMA)

The Farmer’s CowFieldworks CT LLCGuida’s Milk & Ice Cream

The Lyman Farm, Inc.Stanton Equipment, Inc.

Ag Sales Plus, LLC

Ag Service, Inc.

Big Boy’s Toys, LLC

CAROVAIL

Cargill-Nutrena

Central CT Co-op Farmers Association

Crop Production Services

Desjardins Farm

E. Draghi & Sons Farms, LLC

Energy Plus

ER Electric Motor Repair

Foskett Equipment, Inc.

Gary’s Tire Sales

Griffin Greenhouse &Nursery Supplies

Hartford County FarmBureau and SuffieldVeterinary Hospital

Hull Forest Products

IBA, Inc.

Kahn Tractor & Equipment Inc.

Lakeside Feed

Little “B “Barn

Middlesex County FarmBureau, Allegra Farm House & Carriage Service,Airline Farm, eBenefitsGroup, Greenbacker Farm,In memory of WalterAdametz, Sr., Maple BreezeFarm, Roberts ChryslerDodge, Stone Pasture Farm,Sweetwater Maple Farm

Monsanto

Mycogen Seeds

New Haven County FarmBureau

Prides Corner Farms, Inc.

Running Brook Farms

Tulmeadow Farms

The W.I. Clark Company

Windham County FarmBureau and WaureganGrain Company, Inc.

Nationwide® Insurance

First Pioneer Farm Credit, ACA

e-Benefits Group Northeast, LLC

From "Tour" on page 1

tion of small and family-owned dairies in Connecti-cut and across the country.The bipartisan caucusincludes 89 members fromevery region of the countryand was instrumental insecuring $350 million infederal emergency fund-ing to assist strugglingdairy farmers.

Visit the six participating wineries on the Litchfield Hills Winter Wine Trail between December 1st and March 15th

and be entered into a Grand Prize drawing. Pick up a free registration card at:

Use the registration card as a guide through the trail. Have it signed at each winery. Upon visiting all six wineries, turn in your card for entry into the drawing to be held on March 23rd. • Grand prize: Overnight stay at a Litchfield County inn• Second prize: Family 4-pack lift pass for Ski Sundown• Third prize: Dinner at a Litchfield County restaurantContact Tina Torizzo at 860-307-5426 or tlambro@haightvineyards.com

1st Annual Litchfield Hills Winter Wine Trail

Connecticut Valley Winery1480 Litchfield Tpk. New HartfordJerram Winery535 Town Hill Rd., Rt. 219 New Hartford

Miranda Vineyard42 Ives Rd.GoshenSunset Meadow Vineyards599 Old Middle St. Goshen

Haight-Brown Vineyard29 Chestnut Hill Rd. LitchfieldHopkins Vineyard25 Hopkins Rd.New Preston

Mavis Collins speaks with CongressmanCourtney at Collins Powder Hill Farm.