The University of Connecticut announced Wednesday that it is exploring the creation of a Center for Agriculture and Food Innovation in an effort to help Connecticut businesses in that diverse sector.
The university said its College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) was leading efforts to form a potential center and was also getting feedback on that possibility from the business community via a survey.
UConn’s Interim President Radenka Maric said the center, which would support startups and established food manufacturers looking to expand or innovate, could be yet another way for the university to support local and area businesses.
Citing a Farm Credit East study, UConn noted that agriculture is a $5 billion industry in the Nutmeg State. And, that study showed that when factoring in companies that use raw materials acquired in or out of state, the total economic impact on all food manufacturing in Connecticut is more than $8.3 billion.
