NERCRD Land Use Toolbox: Connecticut Rural Change links

The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development Land Use Toolbox
Connecticut - Agriculture & Rural Change links
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University of Connecticut Connecticut Farmland Preservation Project, http://www.are.uconn.edu/Farmland.html Description: The objectives of the Farmland Preservation Project include: analyzing the demand for farmland preservation in the state and New England, analyzing current farmland preservation programs and policy alternatives within Connecticut and New England, and analyzing the status and long-term trends of agricultural land use in New England. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation Jurisdiction: Connecticut University of Connecticut Connecticut GIS User to User Network, http://ctgis.uconn.edu/ Description: The Connecticut GIs User to User Network is a voluntary association of individuals and organizations that use GIs-based technologies and data in their day-to-day operations. The Network's purpose is to connect users through workshops, meetings and the Internet to share ideas, to learn about GIs activities, to explore collaborative opportunities and to discover information resources - all of which will promote a dynamic and innovative community of Connecticut GIs users. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Forestry, http://www.canr.uconn.edu/ces/forest/ Description: Information about the University of Connecticut's forestry outreach programs, including the Forest Stewardship Program. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut University of Connecticut Food Marketing Policy Center, http://www.fmpc.uconn.edu/ Description: The Food Marketing Policy Center conducts research on food and agricultural marketing and related policy questions. The general intent is to provide information that can contribute to improved performance of the food production and marketing system. The Policy Center is primarily an economic research organization, yet it conducts interdisciplinary research when appropriate, and it communicates results to the public. Key users include farmer and consumer organizations, agribusiness firms, public agencies, state legislatures, and the US Congress. Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut Return to top of page University of Connecticut GeoSpatial Technology Program, http://clear.uconn.edu/geospatial/default.htm Description: The GeoSpatial Technology Program provides technical education and training outside the traditional academic environment. The program's goal is to help municipal land use officials, staff and commission members understand and apply geospatial information technologies to help solve local land use problems and to develop environmentally sensitive land use plans. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut University of Connecticut MAGIC: Map and Geographic Information Center, http://mapserver.lib.uconn.edu/magic Description: MAGIC is an on-line library of digital geo-spatial data. MAGIC is the University of Connecticut, Homer Babbidge Library's Map And Geographic Information Center. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut University of Connecticut NEMO: Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials, http://nemo.uconn.edu/ Description: An educational program for local land use officials that addresses the relationship of land use to natural resource protection. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut OTHER CONNECTICUT LINKS American Farmland Trust American Farmland Trust Northeastern Regional Office: Connecticut, http://www.farmland.org/northeast/connecticut.htm Description: Since their founding in 1980, American Farmland Trust has helped win permanent protection for over a million acres of American farmland. They have three strategies for saving America's farmland: protect the best land through publicly funded agricultural conservation easement programs; plan for growth with agriculture in mind through effective community planning and growth management; and keep the land healthy for farmland through encouraging stewardship and conservation practices. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning Jurisdiction: Connecticut Return to top of page CERC CERC, http://www.cerc.com/home.html Description: A group of agricultural businesspeople, representing Connecticut's major agricultural commodities, working to raise the awareness, productivity and competitiveness of the state's agricultural businesses. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation Jurisdiction: Connecticut Connecticut Agricultural Businesses Cluster Connecticut Agricultural Businesses Cluster, http://www.ctagcluster.com/ Description: A group of agricultural businesspeople, representing Connecticut's major agricultural commodities, working to raise the awareness, productivity and competitiveness of the state's agricultural businesses. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation Jurisdiction: Connecticut Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, http://www.ccm-ct.org/ Description: The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities is Connecticut's association of cities and towns. CCM provides member cities and towns with a wide array of other services, including management assistance, individualized inquiry service, assistance in municipal labor relations, technical assistance and training, policy development, research and analysis, publications, information programs, and service programs such as workers' compensation, liability-automobile-property, risk management, energy cost containment, and revenue collection assistance. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do Jurisdiction: Connecticut Connecticut Farm Bureau Connecticut Farm Bureau, http://www.cfba.org/index.php Description: Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, voluntary organization of farm families united to find solutions for concerns facing production agriculture in our counties, state and nation. Connecticut Farm Bureau provides farmers with a strong clear voice in state and national issues. Volunteer leaders and staff work closely with state and federal regulatory agencies and elected officials on issues ranging from economic viability, property rights, taxation, land use planning to labor laws and farmland preservation. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation Jurisdiction: Connecticut Return to top of page Connecticut Farmland Trust Connecticut Farmland Trust, http://www.ctfarmland.org/ Description: The Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT) was formed to: protect Connecticut's remaining farmland for agricultural use by current and future farmers; enhance agricultural diversity, economic development, environmental quality, and rural character; and assist landowners, local land trusts, towns, and state agencies in protecting agricultural land. To further this mission, the Connecticut Farmland Trust purchases and accepts donations of farmland and agricultural conservation easements. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation Jurisdiction: Connecticut Connecticut Food Policy Council Connecticut Food Policy Council, http://www.foodpc.state.ct.us/ Description: Created in 1997 by the state legislature, the Connecticut Food Policy Council works to promote the development of a food policy for the State of Connecticut and the coordination of state agencies that affect food security. Food Policy refers to government actions that influence the availability, affordability, quality and safety of our food supply. Food Policy addresses such concerns as: farmland preservation, urban agriculture, emergency food supply, transportation, markets for locally-grown food, food education, child nutrition and inner-city supermarkets. Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut Connecticut River Watershed Council Connecticut River Watershed Council, http://www.ctriver.org/ Description: Founded in 1952, the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) is the only broad-based citizen advocate for the environmental well-being of the entire Connecticut River. Our primary mission is to promote improvement of water quality and the restoration, conservation, wise development and use of the natural resources of the Connecticut River watershed. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont Connecticut Rural Development Council Connecticut Rural Development Council, http://www.ruralct.org/ Description: The mission of the Rural Development Council is to develop strategies to help improve employment opportunities, incomes and the well-being of rural communities in Connecticut. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning Jurisdiction: Connecticut Return to top of page Connecticut State Judicial Branch Court Opinions, http://www.jud.state.ct.us/external/supapp/aro.htm#Supreme Description: The Connecticut Judicial Branch website provides public access to Supreme Court and Appellate Court opinions prior to their publication in the Connecticut Law Journal. The "officially released" date that appears near the beginning of each opinion is the date the opinion will be published in the Connecticut Law Journal or the date it was released as a slip opinion. A searchable archive of court opinions is also available. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut Connecticut State Library General Statutes of Connecticut, http://www.cslib.org/psaindex.htm Description: The Legislative Commissioners' Office is responsible for compiling the General Statutes of Connecticut and publishing a printed edition every other year. The browseable version of the General Statutes of Connecticut is the electronic version of the printed volumes and is also prepared under our direction. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut Conservation Law Foundation Conservation Law Foundation, http://www.clf.org/ Description: The Conservation Law Foundation is the oldest and largest regional environmental advocacy organization in the United States. We're based in New England, where our attorneys, scientists, economists, and policy experts work on the most significant threats to the natural environment of the region and its residents. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont Department of Agriculture Right-to-Farm Law, http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=1366&q=259086 Description: Notwithstanding any general statute or municipal ordinance or regulation pertaining to nuisances to the contrary, no agricultural or farming operation, place, establishment or facility, or any of its appurtenances, or the operation thereof, shall be deemed to constitute a nuisance, either public or private. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Planning/Zoning Jurisdiction: Connecticut Return to top of page Department of Agriculture Specialty Foods Assistance, http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=1368&q=258814 Description: The Connecticut Department of Agriculture provides technical information and marketing assistance for small to mid-sized food production businesses located in the state. Some of the areas of assistance are in marketing (fairs, domestic and international trade shows), production, initial setup, labeling laws, clarifying state and federal guidelines for food products and providing resource information. Guidance toward financial information and resources is also given. Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Division of Forestry, http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/forestry/boutfrst.htm Description: In Connecticut, the Division of Forestry is responsible for the management of nearly 150,000 acres of state-owned forestland, located within the 32 State Forests. The Division is also responsible for the certification of the various forest practitioners in the state, for approving the status of land that is taxed as forestland, for overseeing the health of the state's forestlands, for assessing the potential for wildland fires, for initiating urban forestry programs and for outreach to the owners of private forestlands. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation Jurisdiction: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Environmental and Geographic Information Center, http://www.dep.state.ct.us/cgnhs/index.htm Description: Geographic Information Systems at DEP plays an important role in the DEP's mission of protecting and preserving the environment for present and future generations. DEP develops and maintains a statewide automated geographic storage and retrieval system which can rapidly integrate and analyze large amounts of spatial map and file data over any selected geographic area. Spatial data analysis supports department planning, management and regulatory needs by developing program applications and providing technical support to the agency. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Remediation Programs, http://www.dep.state.ct.us/wtr/remediation/index.htm Description: Information about various remediation programs available in the state of Connecticut. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities Jurisdiction: Connecticut Return to top of page Economic Research Service - USDA Connecticut State Fact Sheet from USDA/ERS, http://www.ers.usda.gov/statefacts/CT.htm Description: State fact sheets provide information on population, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for each state in the United States. Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut Farm Service Agency - USDA Farm Service Agency, http://www.fsa.usda.gov/ct Description: Stabilizing farm income, helping farmers conserve land and water resources, providing credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and helping farm operations recover from the effects of disaster are the missions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA). Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut Green Valley Institute Green Valley Institute, http://thelastgreenvalley.org/gvi/ Description: The Green Valley Institute exists to help Heritage Corridor communities and citizens sustain their environment and quality of life while growing their economies. We are a non-regulatory organization dedicated to: improving the knowledge base from which land use and natural resource decisions are made and building local capacity to protect and manage natural resources as our region grows. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts Growing New Farmers Initiative Growing New Farmers Initiative, http://gnf.bigmindcatalyst.com/cgi/bmc2.pl?page=pubpg1.html&node=1010 Description: The Growing New Farmers (GNF) Project is a regional initiative to provide future generations of Northeast farmers with the support and expertise they need to succeed. GNF brings together service providers from across the Northeast who are committed to working with and advocating for new and beginning farmers. Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia Return to top of page Harvard University Harvard Forest, http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/index.html Description: Since 1907 research and education have been the mission of the Harvard Forest, one of the oldest and most intensively studied forests in North America. From a center comprised of 3000 acres of land, research facilities, and the Fisher Museum the scientists, students, and collaborators at the Forest explore topics ranging from conservation and environmental change to land-use history and the ways in which physical, biological and human systems interact to change our earth. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation Jursidiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont Natural Resource Conservation Service - USDA Connecticut NRCS, http://www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/ Description: NRCS soil conservationists, soil scientists, agronomists, ecologists, engineers, planners, and other specialists promote land stewardship by providing technical assistance through teams to address surface and groundwater quality; wetlands, riparian areas, and biodiversity; aquatic and terrestrial habitat; and impacts of landuse changes. NRCS teams work on all of a state's landscapes: agricultural, wetlands and riparian areas, suburban, rural, urban centers, and forested. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut New England Regional Water Quality Program New England Regional Water Quality Program, http://www.usawaterquality.org/newengland/ Description: The CSREES New England Regional Water Quality Program works to improve water quality management through educational knowledge and extension programming that emerges from a research base. The program builds on the strengths of the Extension Water Quality Programs at the Land Grant Universities throughout New England. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont New England Small Farm Institute New England Small Farm Institute, http://www.smallfarm.org/ Description: A private non-profit organization supporting beginning farmers and sustainable small scale agriculture throughout New England. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont Return to top of page Northeast Center for Risk Management Education Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, http://www.necrme.org/ Description: The goal of the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education is to assist and educate agricultural producers and their families from the Northeast region. As a regional resource, the Center provides risk management education leadership and coordination, establishing priorities for RME programs and conducting a competitive grants program to respond to these priorities. The Center also works to enhance collaboration and partnering within the region, and disseminates information regarding risk management activities occurring throughout the Northeast. Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia Northeast-Midwest Institute Northeast-Midwest Institute, http://www.nemw.org Description: The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, nonprofit, and non-partisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, http://www.smallfarm.org/nesawg/index.php Description: The Purpose of the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) is to build a sustainable food and agriculture system... one that is environmentally sound, economically viable, socially just and produces safe, nutritious food. Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia Norwalk River Watershed Initiative Norwalk River Watershed Initiative, http://www.norwalkriverwatershed.org/ Description: The Norwalk River Watershed Initiative (NRWI or Initiative) is a partnership among federal and state agencies, watershed towns, local groups, and residents to address local water quality and resource protection problems and opportunities in the Norwalk River Watershed. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut, New York Return to top of page Pomeraug River Watershed Coalition Pomeraug River Watershed Coalition, http://www.pomperaug.org/ Description: The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition was formed by residents of Bethlehem, Woodbury, and Southbury, CT in 1999 to protect the quality and quantity of water in the Pomperaug Watershed--a 90 square mile area that provides both water and recreational opportunities for thousands of residents. The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition is working to create a partnership between local governments, businesses, environmental organizations and private citizens and regional, state and federal agencies to insure the health and vibrancy of the Pomperaug Watershed. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor, http://thelastgreenvalley.org/QSHC_Welcome_page.html Description: In 1994, because many civic groups, businesses, volunteers and local and state governments banded together with technical assistance from the National Park Service, Congress recognized the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor and designated the region as a unique national resource. And in 1999, because of the same kind of grassroots efforts, Congress enlarged the National Heritage Corridor to include towns in the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter Homepage, http://connecticut.sierraclub.org/ Description: The mission statement of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; and educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning Jurisdiction: Connecticut Soil and Water Conservation Society Soil and Water Conservation Society: Southern New England, http://users.chronomedia.com/snec-swcs/ Description: The Soil and Water Conservation Society fosters the science and the art of soil, water and related natural resource management to achieve sustainability. We promote and practice an ethic recognizing the interdependence of people and the environment. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island Return to top of page State Office of Policy and Management Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Program, http://www.opm.state.ct.us/igp/services/nrz.HTM Description: Public Act 95-340, as amended by Public Act 99-35, established a process for the development of Neighborhood Revitalization Zones (NRZs). The objective of the NRZ process is to revitalize neighborhoods through the collaborative involvement of residents, businesses and government to determine the vision and priorities of the individual neighborhoods. The NRZ process provides a mechanism for local stakeholders, along with local municipal officials, to develop a strategic plan to revitalize their neighborhood. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do With Others Jurisdiction: Connecticut Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program Northeast Region SARE, http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/index.html Description: SARE supports research and education that helps build the future economic viability of agriculture in the United States. Topics: Ag & Rural Change Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, http://www.na.fs.fed.us/ Description: The mission of the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area is to lead and help support sustainable forest management and use across the landscape to provide benefits for the people of the 20 Northeastern and Midwestern States and the District of Columbia. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia USDA Rural Development in Southern New England Rural Development in Southern New England, http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ma/ Description: USDA Rural Development in the Southern New England Jurisdiction offers a wealth of services and programs to rural communities. It is our mission to ensure that rural citizens participate fully in the global economy as well as to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Water/Sewer Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island Working Lands Alliance Working Lands Alliance, http://www.workinglandsalliance.org/ Description: The Working Lands Alliance (WLA) is a broad-based coalition, whose supporters include farmers, conservation organizations, food security groups, local government associations, and others. These groups (currently over 130) have joined together in an effort to halt the loss of Connecticut's remaining farmland. WLA is administered by the Hartford Food System, a private nonprofit organization that addresses food concerns of Connecticut residents. Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning Jurisdiction: Connecticut Return to top of page CT Dept. of Environmental Protection Environmental Land Use Restrictions Description: Guidelines for environmental land use. Topics: Land Preservation, Planning-Zoning, Fiscal Impact Ag-Rural Change, Water. Housing, Healthy Communities Jurisdiction: Connecticut American Farmland Trust A guide for landowners, land trusts and municipalities. Topics: Land Preservation, Planning-Zoning, Fiscal Impact Ag-Rural Change, Water. Housing, Healthy Communities
NERCRD ©2004 The Toolbox is a joint effort of The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD) and Penn State Cooperative Extension in Adams County. This page was last updated on July 13, 2005. For questions, suggestions or to report broken links, please contact NERCRD: nercrd@psu.edu.