Connecticut Farm Bureau recognizes Rept. Linda Gentile for commitment to agriculture

Rep. Linda Gentile receiving award from
CFBA Executive Director Henry Talmage.

The Connecticut Farm Bureau Association has recognized state Rep. Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) with the Legislator of the Year Award for her support of Connecticut agriculture in the 2014 legislative session.

The award was announced at CFBA’s annual meeting, but was recently presented to Gentile at her office at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition from such a distinguished organization,” said Gentile in a release. “Agriculture is such an important part of our history and very much a part of the fabric of our local communities. It is a huge economic force in Connecticut. As such, we need to do whatever is possible to protect, preserve and expand farm operations and commercial agriculture in this state.”

The Connecticut Farm Bureau acknowledged Representative Gentile’s work on the animal care bill in her role as Chair of the Environment Committee. Among her efforts on that bill, she authored an editorial in the New Haven Register calling for sound, science-based reason in legislating animal care in Connecticut.

“Representative Gentile laid out the issue so clearly for the committee and to the public through that editorial,” said Connecticut Farm Bureau Executive Director Henry Talmage in a release. “She advocated for a livestock advisory council working in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and the Connecticut Farm Bureau and expressed her confidence that this collaboration could and would establish comprehensive, consistent and reasonable standards for all livestock.”

Since 1919, The Connecticut Farm Bureau Association has provided a strong, clear voice in state agricultural issues. As a non-governmental, voluntary organization of farm families, the Connecticut Farm Bureau is united to find solutions for concerns facing production agriculture in our counties, state and nation.

This is a press release from the Connecticut General Assembly.

Gentile to attend agriculture summit in Canada

Linda Gentile

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, will attend a Legislative Agriculture Chairs Summit this weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

As the House Chair of the Environment Committee, Gentile will represent Connecticut at the 12^th annual event. 
The LACS provides a non-partisan educational opportunity on agriculture and rural issues for state and provincial officials at no cost to taxpayers thanks to scholarships from the organization awarded to invited legislators.

“As the Chair of the Environment Committee, it is critically important that I know and understand the issues and policies that impact food production, natural resources management and animal rights. This leadership conference is a perfect opportunity for me to meet and learn from legislative and industry leaders from all over the country,” Gentile said. 

  “Educational opportunities such as this provide a framework for developing sound public and economic policies. Agriculture is a billion dollar business and could provide us the opportunity to create jobs and infuse money into our economy.”

     Features over the weekend include sessions on dairy policy, animal welfare and food production.

     The State Agriculture and Rural Leaders group provides an unparalleled opportunity for elected officials with an interest in agriculture to work together, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships. Visit www.sarl.us.

This post is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.

Talk at Ansonia nature center to focus on agriculture

ANSONIA - Rebecca Silady will speak at 7 p.m. Saturday as part of the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center's Natural History Lecture Series.

Silady is currently teaching botany at Southern Connecticut State University. She will speak about genetic improvements in agriculture – from traditional breeding to the green revolution to today’s genetically modified food. 

After completing her PhD. at Stanford University and postdoctoral studies at the Max Planck Institute, Silady worked on developing drought tolerant corn at Monsanto. 

Silady is in a position to offer a balanced view of this controversial topic. Call 203-736-1053 to register for this free program. 

The center is at 10 Deerfield Road.