Connecticut’s agriculture agency is promoting the availability of more than a third of the Southbury Training School’s acreage to growers.
The state Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that it is accepting proposals from interested growers for the long-term use of state farmland at the training-school’s properties in Southbury and Roxbury. Some Connecticut state leaders advocate shutting the training school in favor of community-based residency and treatment for training school residents.
About 370 acres of the 921-acre property are available for farming permits that would take effect March 1, 2016. The permits will be for a term of up to 10 years, with the option to extend for another 15 years.
The 12 farmland parcels – between three and 71 acres in size — are located along Cassidy Road and Purchase Brook Road, northwest of the training school campus.
Two public tours of the property will be held on Sat, Sept. 12: the first from 10 a.m. to noon, and a second from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Most of the land is currently planted in corn, grass hay and pasture to support an active dairy operation, while other acreage requires restoration.
Initial proposals must be submitted to the agriculture department in writing and postmarked or hand-delivered by Friday, Oct 2.
