Member Services . . . . . . . . .11 CFBA Fighting for Farmers · Publication of The Connecticut...

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

The Voice of Connecticut Agriculture

• Executive Director's Letter .3• Agriculture Day . . . . . . . . . .3• County Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . .5• 2007 Census . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

• Wall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . .7• Young Farmers . . . . . . . . . . .9• New Members . . . . . . . . . .10• Member Services . . . . . . . . .11

SAVE THE DATE

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.

2009 CT Legislative Session:

CFBA Fighting for FarmersThe 2009 CT legislative session hasbeen a whirlwind of activity withmany high points in the midst of atough economic climate. From ahighly visible press conference andrally to successful advocacy on keybills, CFBA is working hard tomaintain sales tax exemptions forfarmers, create a safety netprogram for CT dairy farmers,maintain bonding money for theCT Farmland Preservation Program,and allow farmers to diversify theirbusinesses through the productionof value-added goods, such ascanned pickles, right on the farm.

At press time, Senate Bill 932: AnAct Concerning Various RevenueMeasures is of particular concern to CFBA. In early April, the Legis-lature’s Finance Committee votedto eliminate all farmer sales taxexemptions beginning in July 2010.As proposed, all tangible personal

property including seed, feed,fertilizer, supplies and equipmentrelated to farming, includingcommercial fishing would becometaxable. CT Farm Bureau has led astrong and persistent campaign toinform legislators and theGovernor of the devastating affectthis will have on CT farmers andthe future of CT agriculture.

CFBA has also been pressing theLegislature to allow the productionof acidified foods in residentialfarm kitchens. HB 5819: An ActAllowing the Production and Saleof Acidified Food Products onResidential Farms, is limited tovegetables and fruits that arecanned and have a ph level of 4.6or less, which does not includemeat, eggs, dairy or shellfish. Atpress time, CFBA was proposingthat those seeking to produce

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

Summer Picnic and Family Social

Hosted by New London County Farm Bureau JULY 18, 2009

New London County 4-H Camp37 Kahn Road, FranklinDinner starts at 5:30 pm

Dancing at 7:30 pmHot dogs &

hamburgers provided.Bring a side dish and

dessert to shareCampfire and square dancing

by Farmer Joe LoPresti and his country friends

Free for members; non-members-$5 per person,

$20 per family OR buy amembership at the door.

For more information, call theNew London County Farm

Bureau office at 860-642-7811.

See "Fighting" on page 3

See "Insurance" on page 10

Beginning June 1, 2009:

Connecticut Farm Bureau Endorses eBenefits Group for Member Health Insurance Benefits

eBenefits specializes in thedesign, implementation, enrollment,and administration of comprehen-sive group medical and dentalplans for all CT Farm Bureaumembers. CFBA President DonTuller said, “We are very pleased toannounce CFBA’s sponsorship of

Connecticut Farm Bureau Associa-tion (CFBA) is pleased to announcethe newly established sponsorshiprelationship with eBenefits GroupNortheast, LLC, an insurance agen-cy specializing in employee benefits,located just outside of Hartford inUnionville, CT.

eBenefits and believe that it will bebeneficial to our members.”

eBenefits is known for their high level of personal service andpersonal attention. The companiesthey represent are Anthem,ConnectiCare, Oxford, CBIA, and

See article "Ag Day" on page 3


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

Bernard DzielinskiMember at Large

Myron AveryJohn BennettWayne BudneyTom DexterJohn HallDavid MisavageJoanna SamuelsonAnne StaebnerMary Ellen Wettemann

S T A F FSteven K. ReviczkyExecutive [email protected]

Cynthia MelmerOperations [email protected]

Kathy Dunai-ThibedeauDirector of Programs and [email protected]

Amanda Freund CFBA Dairy CommitteeGrassroots OrganizingDirector/CFBA Director ofMembership Recruitmentand [email protected]

Gini NagyMembership [email protected]

Joan NicholsGovernment [email protected]

Sally [email protected]

Gail RigginsAdministrative [email protected]

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 Executive Director...

As we enter the last days of the Legislature’sregular session, there are many initiatives that are critically important to farmers andagriculture, but none with such negative and far-reaching impact as the elimination of thefarmer sales tax exemption in SB 932. Allcommitted to locally grown food and farmproducts must rise up to oppose this provision of SB 932.

At the same time there is also legislation that calls out for positiveaction; proposals that seek to establish a safety net for CT’s $1 billion dairy industry (HB 5483) and another allowing the production of acidified foods in residential farm kitchens (HB 5819).

Still other proposals could negatively impact farming andagriculture. Of concern is legislation that seeks to alter the InlandWetlands and Watercourses Act. SB 569 and HB 5934 proposealterations that have the potential to limit the ability of farmers toactively farm in proximity to water. The details of these measures areof utmost importance. Other proposals that would have negativelyimpacted agriculture sought to limit animal agriculture, ban certaintraps used to limit loss as a result of predation and the declaration ofwood smoke as a public nuisance. While the latter bills died incommittee, there are proponents seeking to revisit these issues asamendments to other legislation.

These are challenging times for government and farmers alike. The simple message to our elected officials: You cannot be “pro-agriculture” and anti-farmer at the same time.

Steven K. Reviczky

AgricultureDay at theState CapitolOn March 18, Connecticut agriculture was on display at theState Capitol. State legislatorsenjoyed Connecticut grownproducts from farmers around thestate. CFBA was there handing outCT Grown popcorn andshowcasing the importance ofagriculture.

In conjunction with Ag Day, CFBA and a large coalition ofagriculture groups hosted asuccessful rally for CT agriculture on the steps of the State Capitol in support of continuing farmer sales and fuel tax exemptions, theCommunity Investment Act and CT’s $1B dairy industry. At least 200farmers, gardeners, students, andconsumers attended. In addition tofarm and non-profit organizationspeakers, Senate President DonWilliams, Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, Rep.Diana Urban, Rep. Roberta Willis,and Rep. Pam Sawyer addressedthe crowd.

Daisy the Cow also participatedin the rally, which culminated inthe pulling of a tractor, donatedfrom Kahn Tractor in Franklin,around the State Capitol.

From "Fighting" on page 1acidified food in residential farmkitchens complete training as a“Qualified Food Operator”. The Billhas faced opposition from theState Departments of ConsumerProtection and Public Health.

Also of concern is the FinanceCommittee’s proposed eliminationof bond funding for the State’sFarmland Preservation Program.Currently the Program is funded at$10M/year. Continuing a stablelevel of funding is essential for thesuccess of farmland protectionefforts in CT.

CFBA is also working to maintainfarmers’ as-of-right protectionsunder the Inland Wetlands andWatercourses Act. SB 569 and HB5934 seek to make changes to thatAct, expanding the authority oflocal wetlands agencies.

Defeated bills that had the po-tential to adversely affect farmingand agriculture include SB 994which would have banned the useof leghold and Conibear traps, HB6616 which declared wood smokea public nuisance and HB 6565which would have mandated theteaching of the Humane Society’scurriculum in public schools.

Additional legislation of interestto Connecticut farmers:SB 784: An Act Concerning RoamingLivestock and Public SafetySB 926: An Act Concerning the Sale ofConnecticut Wine at Farmers’ MarketsSB 1082: An Act Concerning the Preservation of State-OwnedAgricultural LandHB 5267: An Act Prohibiting the Use ofSmall Town Economic AssistanceProgram Funds to Convert PrimeFarmland to Nonagricultural UseHB 5277: An Act Implementing theRecommendations of the Invasive Plant CouncilHB 5483: An Act Concerning FinancialRelief for the Dairy IndustryHB 5495: An Act Concerning Fair Adver-tising for Connecticut Farm WineriesHB 6464: An Act ConcerningCoordinated Preservation andDevelopment

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5

Hartford County FarmBureau Offers

$500 ScholarshipThe scholarship applicant must be a college student

or high school senior who is pursuing college study in

agriculture or a related field.Applicants must be a member

of Hartford County Farm Bureau or be a child of a

Hartford County FarmBureau member.

High school seniors must submit their official high school transcript. College

students must submit theirofficial college transcript.

Proof of college attendance or acceptance must be

submitted before a check canbe issued to the college.

Contact Hartford County Farm Bureau at

860-844-8444 or [email protected] an application. Application

deadline is July 1, 2009.

Middlesex County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee: 2009 Agriculture Day Baby Middlesex County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee celebratedCT Ag Day by presenting Middlesex County agricultural products and cetifi-cates to the first baby born that day at Middlesex Hospital and her family.Aoife Shelia Deanne Sidlow, daughter of Michelle O’Connor-Sidlow and JohnSidlow of Higganum, has been honored as the 2009 Agriculture Day Baby.Aoife was born at 12:36 A.M., weighing 6 lbs.12 oz., and 21" long. The basket of agricultural items presented to Aoife and her parents by Syd-ney Mintz, chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee, included eggs fromMaple Breeze Farm of Westbrook, maple syrup from The Chester SugarShack of Chester and Hawkshead Farm of Westbrook, Guida’s milk productsfrom Sunshine Dairy of Middletown, apples and preserves from Lyman Farmof Middlefield, and homespun wool from Goose Down Farm of East Had-dam. Gift certificates for a Christmas tree from Peaceful Hill Tree Farm of East Hampton, and plants fromHalfinger Farms of Higganum were also given to Aoife’s family along with farm animal books and a CD. Inaddition, the family was given a membership to Farm Bureau.

Middlesex County Farm Bureauand Halfinger Farms sponsored aself-guided greenhouse tours onSaturday, April 25. Gorgeousweather greeted over 160 peo-

ple, mostly families. Attendees were treated tomusic by Tim Sparks on guitar and Melissa Spencer,

Sydney Mintz, chair ofMiddlesex County Farm Bureau’sWomens Leadership Committee,presents a basket of Countyagricultural products to babyAoife and her mother MichelleO’Connor-Sidlow

Fairfield County Farm Bureau “Grow Your Own” Conference a Great Success!On March 28, Fairfield County FarmBureau hosted its first Annual SpringConference at the Fairfield CountyExtension Center in Bethel. Thethirteen separate workshops, all ledby professional farmers, included“how to” instructionson topics ranging fromfinding your waythrough your town’szoning regulations toraising chickens andgoats, keeping bees,building a root cellar,growing herbs, soiland soilamendments, fruittree culture, planting

vocalist. Demonstrations were given of HalfingerFarms’ new Ebb and Flow watering system that saveswater and keeps nutrients and fertilizer from goinginto the soil and groundwater. The pot filling machineand seeder were also explained. Guests left with a

newly pot-ted plant.Sincerethanks go toJohn and JenHalfingerfor openingtheir farmfor thisevent.

Greenhouse & Farm Tourat Halfinger

Farms

Left: John Halfinger demonstrates the pot fillingmachine while John Hall removes the filled trays.Above: Tim Sparks and Melissa Spencer entertain tour guests

according to the growing calendar,and incorporating food into thelandscape. A complimentary lightlunch was served, prepared by FarmBureau Board of Directors membersand organized and overseen by

Alyce Block.Bruce Benedictof Benedict’sFarm andGarden inMonroe, SalGilbertie ofGilbertie’s HerbGardens, IrvSilverman ofSilverman’s Farmin Easton, Robert

Kelly and Dina Brewster of TheHickories Organic Farm in Ridgefield,Sam Partridge of Pear Tree Farm inEaston, Candace Benyei of WhimsyBrook Farm in Redding, and FairfieldCounty Farm Bureau members atlarge and area professionals KarleenOosterwal, Camilla Worden, LeslieHuston, and A.J. Collier providedworkshop leadership. The conferencewas fully subscribed at 40 attendeesand the evaluations by participantswere superior!

Fairfield County Farm Bureaugained five new members as a resultof the Conference, and it hopes tohost a Second Annual SpringConference in early March 2010 at

Sal Gilbertie of Gilbertie’sHerb Gardens

Bruce Benedict from Benedict’sFarm and Garden in Monroeexplains how to keep chickens

the Trumbull AgriculturalTechnical School in Trumbull.


6 7

CFBA PresidentDon Tuller

was recently elected to the CT Agricultural Education FoundationBoard of Directors. CTAEF is excited todraw on Don’s wealth of experience .

Congratulations

to Courtnay &

Bedford Lawrence

on the birth of

their little girl,

Taylor Alice

Lawrence.

born 1/20/09

at 5:27pm. She

weighed 7 lbs 12 oz

and was 20 1/2

inches long.

Whimsy Brook Farm

LTD receives

2009 Best of Reddin

g Award in

the Horseback Riding

category by

the U.S. Local Busine

ss Association

(USLBA). Each year

, USLBA

recognizes companies

that have

achieved exceptional m

arketing

success in their loca

l community

and business categor

y.

CFBA member Eric

Henry receives 2009

CT Outstanding Young

Farmer Award at CT

Ag Day. Eric and his

family manage Blue Hill

Orchards, an apple,

peach and pear

operation in Wallingford.

Eric currently serves

as the President of

the Connecticut

Pomological Society.

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 contributions

33 Wynding Hills Road East Granby, CT 06026P. 860-651-4034Fx 860-651-4049Licensed in CT, MA & RI

Behind the Numbers:

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2007 Census of Agriculture ReportThe UDSA National AgriculturalStatistics Service released their 2007Census of Agriculture report inFebruary 2009. This report revealsextensive information on the stateof CT agriculture.

According to the 2007 Census ofAgriculture, total Connecticut “landin farms” increased from 357,154acres in 2002 to 405,616 in 2007.The largest increases in total “landin farms” occurred in Fairfield(increase of 26,715 acres) and NewHaven (increase of 19,707 acres)Counties, which account for over95% of the net increase statewide.These increases are largely due tochanges in the way aquacultureacreage was counted.

While overall “land in farms”increased, some counties saw areduction in agricultural lands: 7%reduction in both Litchfield andMiddlesex Counties; and a 2%reduction in Windham County.Decrease in “land in farms” does notnecessarily indicate conversion;simply that land is being taken outof production. That said, agricul-tural land that is no longer inproduction may be morevulnerable to development

The market value of farm pro-duction on Connecticut farmsincreased by 17%-$552M in 2007compared to $470M in 2002. There

has been some overall redis-tribution of farms by market valuesince 2002. Farms with a marketvalue of $100,000 or more remainedabout the same at 10%. Smallfarms with market value of $2,500or less dropped from 44% in 2002to 39% in 2007. Farms in themiddle, with a market value of$2,500 or more but less than$100,000 annually, showed astrong increase to 51% in 2007compared to 44% in 2002.

The bad news is that the prin-cipal operators of Connecticutfarms continue to get older. Theaverage age of Connecticutfarmers in 2007 is reported at 57.6years, compared to 55.4 years in2002. Farmers under 35 years ofage lag in significant growth. In2007, this group totaled 3.8% ofprincipal operators compared to3.4% in 2002. While farmers 65years and older increased to 29.6%in 2007 compared to 25.4% in 2002.

In order to reverse this trend, thestate must invest in programdevelopment, educational oppor-tunities and financial incentives foryoung people to learn and committo a career in Connecticut farming.

Bernard Dzielinski, CFBA Board of Directorsand American Farmland Trust contributedto this article.

Aiki Farms"The Way of the Farmer"

Aiki Farms hosts Ed Begley, Jr.for a Victory Garden Seminar

Sunday, July 12, 200911am-2pm at Aiki Farms,

769 Shewville Rd, Ledyard

Ed will drive from LosAngeles in his electric car to

host this event to raise money to support Working Lands

Alliance, Farm Bureau, YoungFarmers, and the Stower FamilyFarm in Loraine County, Ohio.

Local food & information on organic farming and

renewable energyDonation of $40/person and$20 for family members

Call 860-536-6407 or e-mail

[email protected]

CFBA Recognizes Dr. CowanDr. William “Al” Allen Cowan wasan Emeritus Professor and formerHead of the Department of AnimalSciences at the University ofConnecticut. Al worked withlivestock production and breedingfor over 50 years. Even after he retired, Dr. Cowancontinued towork withstudents,having atremendousimpact ontheir lives andthe future ofCT agriculture.

Dr. Cowan was an active memberof Tolland County Farm Bureau. Heroutinely analyzed national reportsand produced annual statistics on CTagriculture. Upon his passing, CFBABoard of Directors approved aresolution recognizing Dr. Cowan’scontributions to Farm Bureau and allof CT agriculture.

Equine Insurance Addresses Liability Facing Horse OwnersWith more than 43,000horses in Connecticut, manyhorse owners are challengedto find the right kind ofinsurance for their operations.Growing with the number of horses is the need forliability coverages to protecthorse owners.

In response to requestsfrom Farm Bureau members,Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance

has developed anequine liabilityprogram, which isendorsed by CFBA.These coverages,added on to theAgriChoice farmpolicy, can helptailor a member’sAgriChoice farm

policy to include equine operations. The additional coverages protect

against liabilities from horseboarding or breeding operations.The program also protects farmerswho provide training on the farmfor the horses of others, whetherincidental to breeding operationsor ongoing.

Optional coverage can be addedto protect against liability for theinjury or death of other people’shorses that are in the care, custodyand control of the farmer.

Farm Bureau members alsoautomatically receive additionalcoverages not available to non-members, such as lock replacementand identity theft expense coverage.Members receive a preferred price(7% discount) on AgriChoicecoverages as well.

For further information aboutthe new equine liability program,contact a Nationwide Agent, visitwww.nationwide/CFBA, or contactJim Keane, Sponsor Relations SalesManager at 860-808-8106 [email protected].

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Paul KotowiczDudley Town Road, Windsor(860) 688-9567

Paul Kotowicz is a CFBA memberand active participant in theCFBA Young Farmer Committee.He describes himself as, “a jack ofall trades.” On the farm, he isinvolved in logging, has a smallvegetable operation and is tryingto start amechanic, smallequipmentrepair businesson the side.

Paul supportsCFBA’s legislativepriorities. He isparticularlyconcerned about the eliminationof sales tax exemptions forfarmers and the struggling CT

dairy industry. Paul is committedto working with other YoungFarmers on these issues.

Douglas Bahler115 Meadow Brook Rd.,Ellington(860) 875-2858 or (860)836-5316-cell

Douglas Bahler is a fourthgeneration farmer andactive in CFBA’s YoungFarmer Committee. Heand his family own a large dairyfarm in Ellington. They milk 1,426head of cattle three times perday in two milking parlors-adouble 12 and a double 16. TheBahler family also chops 1,750acres of corn for silage and 300acres of haylage. The farmemploys about 20 people.

This year, the Bahlers startedusing twin rows on their cornplanter. They’ve also beensubsoiling for the last two yearsto increase tons per acre. Inaddition, over the last eight

years they have madetheir calf operation moreproductive by increasingthe health of the animals. As a dairy farmer, Doug

says, “it’s in his blood tofarm the land and raise

dairy cows.” He plans tocontinue what past farminggenerations have done for manyyears to come. In Doug’s opinion,in order to maintain CT farms,farmers should be educated onhow to get more out of the land and run their farm as they woulda business.

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LAWRENCE REAL ESTATEFarms, Land, Estates, Horse Properties

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Phone: (860) 429-7240 Cell: (860) 428-9126Email: [email protected]

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

Policy Matters:

Save Money on Your Utility BillDid you know that you can choosean electrical supplier and possiblysave money on your utility bill?CL&P and UI must provide electricityto customers who do not chooseanother electric supplier, makingthem the default providers ofelectric generation services unless thecustomer chooses an alternativeelectrical supplier.

The Connecticut Department ofPublic Utility Control (DPUC) created anew website: www.ctenergyinfo.com,so that Connecticut residents areaware of new energy information.

This series highlights the future of farming in Connecticut. By focusing on Connecticut Farm Bureau’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 facemounting feed and fuel costs and changes in consumer preferences.

June 2009:CFBA Young Farmer Committee Meeting • June 2• ctyoungfarmers.comTolland County Farm Bureau Board of Directors Meeting • June 4860-742-5725New Haven County Farm Bureau Boardof Directors MeetingJune 16 • 203-269-0151Planning for Your Farm: MarketResearch • June 17 • 860-688-7725 ext. 2Haight-Brown Vineyard Festival on theFarm • June 20 & 21• 860-567-4045Connecticut Agricultural EducationFoundation 11th Annual Golf Tournament at Lyman OrchardsJune 23 • www.ctaef.org

July 2009:CFBA Young Farmer CommitteeMembership PicnicJuly TBA • ctyoungfarmers.comCFBA Offices ClosedJuly 3 • 860-768-1100Aiki Farms, “The Way Of TheFarmer” • July 12 • 860-536-6407Fairfield County Farm Bureau Pot Luck Picnic July 13 • 203-240-2295New London County Farm BureauFamily Social • July 18 • 860-642-7811Please check the latest listings at: http://www.cfba.org/html/calendar

CFBA Calendar

CTEnergyInfo helps consumersnavigate the ever increasing numberof energy related resources. The sitecovers all forms of energy with thegoal of linking visitors to informationwith as few “clicks” as possible.

Several suppliers offergenerationrates that are lower than the ratesbeing charged by CL&P and UI. Fromthe ctenergyinfo.com home page,residential and business consumerscan click “Choosing an Electric Supplier”then “Compare GSC Offers”. The“Frequently Asked Questions” page

helps you navigate and understandthe process.

Topics such as alternative energy,energy conservation and theConnecticut Energy Efficiency Fundare covered. The Connecticut EnergyEfficiency Fund supports programsthat provide financial incentives tohelp consumers reduce the amountof energy they use in their homes orbusinesses.

DPUC also has a state-wide tollfree energy information line, 1-877-WISE USE (1-877-947-3873).Consumers can speak to an energy

professional during weekdaybusiness hours, who can address anyenergy related questions and helpyou navigate the website. If you donot use the Internet, you can callthe toll free number and receive thesame information over the phone.

11


NEED MORE INFO?HAVE AN IDEA FOR A NEW SERVICE?

Contact CT Farm Bureau

Member Services at:860-768-1106www.cfba.org

MEMBER SERVICES, INC.

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

10

Welcome New Members (3/4/09-5/6/09)Fairfield:Elizabeth Miechkowski; Denise Lynch;Wayne R. Moore, Moore Farm;Thomas J. Liscinsky; Alaae Maula;Wanda Miecznikowska; Dana Bow-man; Frank Spano; Neil & StephanieGordon; Nicholas Vaccaro; Eric Arden;Joseph & Cindy Butkovsky; Maria F.Silva; David Rothacker; Stephen Nelson;Dean Odice; Lynn Pinkham; Joe &Dana Taylor; Christine Dunster; ScottSantoro Monique South-Palmer; Giovann Gentile; Rinat Khissiamov;Scott & Leslie Case; Jackeline Osorio

Hartford:Krista Sahlberg; Adam Turney; RobertF. Robbins, Robbins Tree Farm;Arthur J. Goodwin Jr.; Christen King;Lisa Sisson; Ronald Paradis; ValerieBussiere; Anthony Bonavita; NathanBerkmoes; Daniel Burnham, Dan'sService; John Burnham, Burnham &Company; Darryl Jones; Dan Alkas;Angelo & Karen Zeni; Barbara Bouf-fard; Deen & Rose Byerly; PaulBreglio; Jessica Lonczewski; NatashaDaniel; David Chamberlin; Ashley

Drake; Yvette Aibaliotis; Thomas R. Farr,Farr's Christmas Tree Farm; Gloria Mar-quez; Heidi A. Lindberg; Elva Diaz; LisaNierendorf; Andrew Chamberland;Cheryl Menard; Kevin & Christina Wilson; Igor & Ganna Stefak; HenryWaszynski; Edward Tully; Sandy Popalar-do; Pamela Fanelli; Charlene Carson;Joseph Berneski; David Schmedding;John Radziewski, Copper Rock Farms;Michael Mc Laughlin; Francis Sarkar

Litchfield:Daneen & Robert Hanock; Victor Fer-nandes; Stephen Badger; Donna L.Downs; William Hedberg, Franson Farm;Paul Ayoub; France Vuolo; JosephineHurley; Bruce Deming, Crystal SpringFarm; Helaine Doherty; Trisha J.Kennedy; Sally Wainman, Saw HorseFarm; Manuel Lourence, Mr. Mastrober-ti, Briar Patch Farm; Daniel V. Cox; Doug& Crystal Carlson, Carlwood Farm; BrianFairchild, Sunrise Farm; Anthony Cursio;James F. Frey, Walker Road Vineyards

Middlesex:Robert Sisk, Crystal Wood Stables LLC;

William Judd; Jason & Karen Mounts;Douglas Nedobity; Wade T. Moss, M & PMaple And Produce; Susan Armato;Bryant Vito Esparo, Mr. Rogers HappyAcres; David Pyne, Circle K Farm; Ted Krogh

New Haven:Andrew & Nancy Stietzel, Stietzel FamilyFarm; Wayne & Pamela Demmons; RickPaolini, R.P. Electric LLC; Evelyn Alladin;Mark A. Lewandoski; Fermencia Lewan-doski; Doreatha Bourdeaux; Rafael Rob-les; Stacy Roseberry; Jeanette H. Barrera;Richard Lucibello; Paul Behling; WithersBergman; Geoffrey Gittleson; BarryNalebuff; Bryan Mc Ginnis; SherylScott; Matthew Fiore; Jerry Iodice, CircleI Farm; Frederick Herzman; MarkFilanowski,Filanowski Farm;Mohammed & Talat Malik, Bargain USAWholesale, Inc, ; Paul Stumpo, AT&T;Anthony Giordano; Nancy Forino;William German, German Acres Farm;Maria Mancini; Mary Barney

New London:Rita Le Blanc; Donald Beebe, Beebe AndO'Neal; Hervie Lamb,Mystic Solar;

Claudia Hall; Mark Pupillo; JosephPenrose; Peter, Ron, Conrad, Quaker-town Meadows LLC; Thomas A. &Joyce A. Lamarche,Little Folks Farm;John & Donna Kopetz; Diane J. Nelson; Joseph & Kathleen Haggan;Elizabeth Gillman, Cato Corner Farm;Linda J. Sample, A Thyme To Cook,Inc.; John Abbiati

Tolland: Christine Albertson; Richard Cunningham; George Barrett; DanielLivingston; James Otto; Krystyna See,III; Angel & Jennifer Rios; StephanieFanelli; Barbara Caron; Jonathan &Marjorie Gould; George V. Hicks;Donna Miner; Sheryl Mc Cauliff;Robert Burns

Windham: Lance A. Sistare, Slatter Hill Farm;William Auclair; Emily Chaplin, DraftyPines Farm; Despina & AntoniosLoukas; Phyllis E. La Belle; Jeff E. Mayo;Angela M. Stefanik; Lucia Jimenez;Donna Mc Larney

Health Net. CFBA Executive DirectorSteve Reviczky commented,“eBenefits has a proven trackrecord in providing high qualitymedical insurance and excellentcustomer service.”

Stephen J. Repka II, Founder andManaging Principal of eBenefits is“…proud to be associated with theConnecticut Farm Bureau. I’mlooking forward to meetingConnecticut Farm Bureau membersat County meetings and events.

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From "Insurance" on page 1

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BRIDGEPORT, CT

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Connecticut Farm Bureau775 Bloomfield Avenue Windsor, CT 06095

The Voice of Connecticut Agriculture

are required to prevent re-establishment from the seed bank.

Visit www.hort.uconn.edu/mamfor more information. To report anobservation of the vine or to

confirm its identity, note yourlocation and report your

findings at the abovewebsite (click “Report MAM”),

contact Logan Senack, CT InvasivePlant Coordinator, via email [email protected], orcontact the Connecticut InvasivePlant Working Group (CIPWG) at860-486-6448 (Donna Ellis).

MAM is a highly invasive annualvine with long, branching stems.Branches, stems and leaf petiolesare covered with backwards-curving (retrose) spines or barbs.The leaves are 1-3 inches wide,alternate, and often shaped likeequilateral triangles with no lobesor teeth. The species prefers moistbut well-drained soils in sunnyareas, including roadsides, woodedges, fields, nursery mulch piles,and other open areas, but willtolerate shade and woody areas.Plants die back each year with theonset of frost, but seeds willcontinue to germinate for severalyears. Seedlings emergein April and early May.Fruits may be present inmid-to late summer,ripening from green tometallic blue as theseason progresses.Origin: Originally nativeto eastern and southernAsia, the first reportedsuccessful establishment

contaminated areasmay also containviable seeds.Current Status: As ofJune 2009, Mile-a-minute has beenconfirmed in NewHaven County(singlelocation), NewLondon County(single location), Litchfield County(limited locations) and FairfieldCounty (multiple locations). Section22a-381d of the CT GeneralStatues makes it illegal totransport, cultivate, sell ordistribute the species.Management andReporting: Repeated mowing,cutting and hand-pulling can beused to control this species, thoughcare should be taken not to spreadseeds, fruits or fragments. Someherbicides are registered to controlMile-a-minute in agriculturalsettings. Multiple years of control

of Mile-a-minute Vine was inPennsylvania in the 1930’s. Sincethen, the species has spreadthroughout the mid-Atlanticregion, and has more recently been found in Connecticut,Massachusetts, New York andRhode Island.Problems: Rapid growth (up to 6inches per day under idealconditions) allows Mile-a-minute toform dense mats that smother andshade out other vegetation, inclu-ding nursery tree seedlings andnative plant species. The vine’sability to scramble and climb over

other vegetation allows it toreach 20 feet into theunderstory of trees. Althoughthe species may be spread bybirds and other naturalfactors, human activities arethought to be a major causeof new outbreaks—fruits,seeds and pieces of the vinecan stick in tire treads and inboots, and hay, mulch, andsoil transported from

CT Invasive Plant AlertMile-a-Minute Vine (MAM) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

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