The purpose of this study is to ascertain and document the significance of agriculture and related industries to Connecticut’s economy. This study defines the Connecticut agricultural industry as encompassing crop and livestock production, forest products, and primary agricultural processing tied to the state’s agricultural production. Because this industry buys goods and services from other industries in the state and hires local labor, its economic impacts cascade throughout the entire state economy.

Using three models of the Connecticut economy, this analysis estimates the 2007 statewide economic impacts of the Connecticut agricultural industry as follows: Statewide sales are in the range $2.7 to 3.5 billion, generating 16,650-22,753 jobs and approximately $1 to 1.7 billion in value added. Additional impacts flow from ecological and social benefits from agricultural and forest production and related recreation, wildlife, and quality of life effects.