CT SB00069

Amends the farmland restoration reimbursement program to allow the Commissioner of Agriculture to reimburse farmers for up to 50% of costs to develop, implement, and comply with farm resources management plans or farmland restoration plans, capped at $20,000.

Increases reimbursement to 90% of costs (capped at $20,000) for management or restoration plans on state-owned land or municipally-owned land with agricultural leases of five years or longer.

Defines "farmland restoration plan" as a conservation plan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, a soil and water conservation district, or a plan approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Expands the definition of "agricultural restoration purposes" to include fence installation for wildlife management and livestock control, invasive plant removal, hedgerow management, farm pond renovation, and incidental land clearing activities related to these activities.

Effective date: October 1, 2014.