State Capitol Update For The Week Of August 24

August 24, 2023


Subscribe to the newsletter     Forward to a friend
View this email in your browser
Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of August 24.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.
 
My fingernails are still dirty, I have a bunch of mosquito bites and the remains of a couple of blisters, and I probably won’t be wearing one particular pair of shorts again for awhile, but the last few days on the Appalachian Trail in CT with my daughter Abby were pretty perfect.  I learned a lot along the way.  Some of it was quite direct, as Abby is an experienced hiker and camper and I had a lot of campsite protocol to learn (it turns out that following a consistent set of rules is also helpful on the trail).  I’m proud to say that nearly all of the CT section is in the 64th District, but also have to admit that a tiny piece of the “Appalachian Trail in CT” is actually in NY.  A tiny piece.  Very tiny.
 
You have a lot of time to think on long hiking days, and some of what I learned I’ll be reflecting on for many days to come.  Near the end of our third day, we hiked to Lions Head, which is a family favorite.  We used to live within walking distance of the trailhead and have hiked it many times.  Seeing Lions Head on the map that day was a comfort, until Abby reminded me that hiking up Lions Head after 15 miles of hiking earlier in the day, and after two long 16-18 miles days before that, while carrying a 35-pound pack, was a different matter.  Expectations reset, it felt like a big accomplishment to arrive at the top and appreciate that familiar view.  It was a good reminder that a milepost achievement isn’t the same for everyone: it depends on how far you had to go to get there, the burdens you carried, and the kind of help you had along the way. 

 
On our final morning, we got up in the wee dark hours to watch the sunrise at the top of Bear Mountain, the highest peak in CT (not the highest point in CT, however, which is the shoulder of Mount Frissell, whose peak is in MA).  It was surprisingly cold and windy: we wore all of our clothing, and really appreciated the morning coffee we made for ourselves. 
Sunrise from Bear Mountain.
Abby and I looking forward to that hot coffee. 
We happened to travel alongside two through-hikers (doing the entire Appalachian Trail) who shared the same campsites we used all three nights, so we brought these two young men home with us the final day, for a shower, some fresh food, and laundry services, before returning them to the trail – 1400 miles down, 700 to go.  I was pretty happy to head home after 54. 
 
Out natural environment was the theme in other ways this week, including an event celebrating the protection of the Von Ahn Preserve in CT, and the news that this year included the Second-warmest winter in CT based on temperature data.  We have much work to do. 
Celebrating the protection of the Von Ahn Preserve in Sharon.
And a quick reminder that the sales-tax-free week continues in CT through August 26! You can find more information here: portal.ct.gov/drs/sales-tax/sales-tax-free-week.

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • Farmland Restoration Flood Response Grant Deadline Extended. Click here.
  • Kent Volunteer Fire Department Community Breakfast August 27. Click here. 
  • Kent Land Trust Concert Series. Click here.  
Farmland Restoration Flood Response Grant deadline extended to August 31
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) announced that the deadline for the Farmland Restoration Flood Response Grant has been extended until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023. 

The Farmland Restoration Flood Response Grant (RFRG) provides matching funds to Connecticut farmers, nonprofits and municipalities impacted by excessive rain fall and flooding in July 2023 to restore lands into active agricultural production. RFRG focuses on restoring and improving land with prime and important farmland soils, in accordance with a Farmland Restoration Plan (FLRP Plan).  

Funding for the Farmland Restoration Flood Response is provided through the Farmland Restoration Grant, made possible by Connecticut General Statutes 22-6c. The Farmland Restoration Flood Response Grant and any awards are subject to the requirements and provisions of state funding. The total amount available for these grants is up to $300,000.00  For the purposes of this grant, farmland restoration is the act of bringing land into agricultural production for human food, animal feed, or livestock grazing. 

The maximum grant awarded per grantee is $20,000.00. Applications of any amount up to the maximum possible award will be considered for funding.  

Click here to view the guidance.

Click here to watch the webinar recording. 
Kent Volunteer Fire Department Community Breakfast on Sunday, August 27
Kent Land Trust Concert Series continues
 
It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.

Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend.
Sincerely,


Maria Horn
State Representative
Facebook
Facebook
Website
Website
Email
Email

Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences