Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MARCH 20, 2023 23 "Banking technologies continue to become more innovative. Our Cash Management Solutions will help ensure that your business banking processes are efficient, effective and safe from fraud." Cash Management Solutions Member FDIC/Member DIF – D E B B I E E S P O S I T O, Fi r s t V i c e Pr e s i d e n t , Ca s h M a n a g e m e n t d e s p o s i t o @ b a n k a t p e o p l e s . c o m | 4 1 3 . 4 9 3 . 7 4 6 8 • Business eDepositPlus • Electronic Payments • Check & ACH Positive Pay bankatpeoples.com/cashmanagement • Automatic Sweep to Line of Credit • PeoplesOnline Cash Management Apple and berry picking is a popular activity in the northeastern U.S., and fruit and tree nut farming makes up almost half — 44% — of the revenue generated by the agritourism sector in Connecticut, the report said. Livestock production accounts for the next largest share at 22% of revenue, according to the report. The state Department of Economic and Community Development said it's nearly doubling its tourism funding, with a push to promote more diversified attractions, including agri- tourism hot spots for pick-your-own fruits, seasonal corn mazes, pumpkin patches, live music and farm-to-table dinners and Connecticut-grown food. Paletsky, who serves on the executive committee of the Western Connecticut Tourism District, said "it's great that they're recognizing the value of marketing what we have to offer." The state Department of Agricul- ture also has a grant program that offers funding to farms looking to diversify their operations. In February it awarded $549,649 to 30 farms, including Rogers Orchards in South- ington, which is using the money to help pay for hard-cider kegging equipment and a cider conces- sion truck with a custom bar and tasting area. Adversity and cooperation Paletsky said there are occasional roadblocks when farms try to diver- sify their business, including from state or federal regulations, local land-use boards or even neighbors. For example, a concert promoter held large-scale concerts on his South Farms property in 2020. The events, which were allowed due to COVID executive orders, drew opposition from the community. South Farms no longer holds events on that scale. Instead, they now host weekly "Thursday Socials," which are small gatherings, as well as weddings and music on weekends. "Farmers need to have the ability to try new things and see what works," Paletsky said. "We need options." The Sunshine Barn project has gotten support from the town, including Cheshire's Coordinator of Economic Development Andrew Martelli, who said "The property and its agricultural heritage is a character-defining element of the Cheshire landscape." "In today's business climate, rising operational costs have reduced a businesses' ability to survive," Martelli wrote in support of the project. "Providing additional tools for revenue generation is what govern- ment can do to help support and sustain a local business." Joan Nichols, executive director of the Connecticut Farm Bureau, said towns are continually working on zoning to support agritourism, which benefits farms and educates the public on the agricultural industry's important role. "Farming is hard, the key is diversi- fication," and if it's done right, it works for everyone, Nichols said. The South Farms in Morris hosts weddings as a way to generate extra revenue. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED CT has lost 8% of its farms over past decade 2012 2017 2022 NUMBER OF CT FARMS 5,977 5,521 5,500 LAND IN FARMS (ACRES) 436,539 381,539 380,000 AVERAGE FARM SIZE (ACRES) 73 69 69 U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture State Profile

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