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Farm Bureau Helps Pass 2025 “Mini-Farm Bill”

Landmark legislation delivers relief to farmers; Lamont signs bill into law

Celebrating the signing of Connecticut’s Farm Bill – (L-R) Sarah Della Ventura, Bishop’s Orchards, Willie Della Camera, Cecarelli’s Harrison Hill Farm, Governor Ned Lamont, Keith Bishop, Bishop’s Orchards, Senator Christine Cohen, State Representative Tom Delnicki, Cricket Jacquier, Laurelbrook Farm

In what’s being hailed as a landmark moment for Connecticut’s farmers, the 2025 legislative session wrapped up with overwhelming bipartisan support for a sweeping package of pro-agriculture reforms. Dubbed the Mini-Farm Bill, this comprehensive measure — championed by State Senator Cathy Osten and shaped by input from CFBA and its members — delivers real relief to farmers by lowering costs, improving infrastructure, and embracing innovation. Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill earlier this week at an event attended by CFBA staff, industry stakeholders, lawmakers and farmers from across the state.

Highlights include:

Farmer Investment Tax Credit: Starting in 2026, farmers can claim a 20% state income tax credit for new equipment purchases or buildings.

Farm Machinery Property Tax Exemption: Increased from $100,000 to $250,000 statewide, with local towns able to offer an additional exemption.

Hoop House Code Relief: Exempts hoop houses and high tunnels from building codes meant for permanent structures, reducing red tape and costs.

Agricultural Drone Use: Creates a certification system for crop-spraying and monitoring using drones. Regulations to be developed by March 2026.

Agritourism Liability Protections: Limits legal liability for inherently risky agritourism activities as long as farmers act responsibly.

Crop Loss Reimbursement Grant Program: Creates mechanism to reimburse farmers who incur crop loss due to severe weather events.

Manure Management: Establishes a program to support and fund best practices for manure management.

Shipping Container Farms: Provides grants for the purchase and operation of shipping container farms to grow fresh food for schools and food pantries.

Sale of Soil Amendments: Prohibits the sale of fertilizer or soil amendments that contain biosolids or wastewater sludge that contains PFAS.

Shellfish Regulation Updates: Modernizes oversight and rules for shellfish operations in partnership with the farming community.

This legislation “will have a positive impact on Connecticut farms for generations to come and will touch almost every farm in the state,” Paul Larson, president of the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association, said.

CFBA will be keeping a close eye on how these new laws take shape and will share updates with you as soon as we know more. Stay tuned!

For questions or more information, call us at 860-768-1100.