RiverCOG Regional Agriculture Council
The RiverCOG Regional Agriculture Council (RAC) is the first of its kind in Connecticut. The RAC is comprised of a representative from each of the region’s municipalities and pursues the objectives of supporting farming in the 17 municipalities and promotion of agriculture-friendly land use and municipal policies. Goals of the RAC include:
- Serving as an information and education conduit between farmers, municipal boards and commissions, elected officials, nonprofit agencies, and civic organizations
- Providing guidance and review of municipal land use regulations related to agriculture
- Providing guidance and information regarding agriculturally related tax programs and policies
- Assisting with conflict resolution of agriculturally related issues
- Identifying economic opportunities for towns and farmers
The Regional Agriculture Council recently launched a website entitled “Know Your Farmers”, which promotes farms in the lower Connecticut River valley region. At present, about 50 farms are included. We are actively soliciting those who aren’t a part of the promotional site to join in. If you have a suggestion for a farm to include please contact us.
The RAC meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the offices of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments, 145 Dennison Road, Essex, CT.
Current members of the River COG Regional Agriculture Council
As of January 20, 2022:
Chester
Luc Bouffard
Clinton
Richard Martin
Cromwell
John Whitney
Deep River
Ron Larson
Durham
Warren Herzig
East Haddam
Vacancy
East Hampton
Vacancy
Essex
Vacancy
Haddam
John Halfinger (Chairman)
Killingworth
Walter Adametz
Lyme
Bill Farrell
Middlefield
Tim Dumas
Middletown
Rebecca Issacson
Old Lyme
Baylee Rose Drown
Old Saybrook
Kristy Benson
Portland
Alan Fenrow
Westbrook
Vacancy
For information on the Agriculture Council, contact Janice Ehlemeyer at