Connecticut news

Contact Your Representative

I recently read the below letter from Louis A. Magnarelli, the Director of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) describing concerns about funding. There is a general concern that President Bush's 2006 budget recommends changing or disbanding the Hatch and McIntire Stennis formula funds program. This could be disastrous for CAES, and especially the important American chestnut research work done by Dr. Sandy Anagnostakis. Those of you familiar with Dr. Anagnostakis' work need no introduction. It is truly seminal work on chestnuts and deserves protection in the name of scientific research.

I encourage you to read the message below, and call or write your congressman to voice your opinion. I've put congressional contact information on the bottom of the page with a link to a letter I wrote to my Representative. Please consider taking the time to call or write.

Bill Adamsen

Continued Pressure on Federal Formula Funds

February 14, 2006

Louis A. Magnarelli, Director

Phone (203) 974-9440

On Monday, February 6, 2006, President Bush?s proposed budget was released. The document recommends shifting major portions of the Hatch and McIntire Stennis formula (base) funds into a competitively awarded, multi-state/institutional program. The suggested phase-in period for the transfer of funds from the current system to the new program would be 4 years. Fortunately, a similar proposal made last year was rejected by Congress, and research programs remained stable. Funding for the productive Hatch program has been in place since 1887, while the successful McIntire Stennis program for forestry has existed since 1962.

The attached summary highlights successes in some of the research programs at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Well-known initiatives on the studies of ticks, Lyme disease, and other infections; mosquitoes/encephalitis viruses; invasive aquatic plants in lakes and ponds; Ramorum Blight (formerly Sudden Oak Death); integrated pest management practices to reduce pesticide use; and on food safety and forestry issues all had support from formula funds. We have collaborations with scientists in 44 states. Our analytical chemists are participating in the US Food and Drug Administration?s Food Emergency Response Network and assisting Connecticut?s Civil Support Team (National Guard) on counter-terrorism programs. There has been national recognition of our discoveries on biological control of the hemlock woolly adelgid and on the birds and mosquitoes harboring and transmitting the West Nile encephalitis virus, respectively. The January 2006 issue of Discovery Magazine rated the top 100 science stories of 2005 and ranked the Station?s discoveries of the American robin as a probable reservoir for West Nile virus and the identification of a bird/mammal-feeding mosquito at #43.

There are currently several competitive grant programs for scientists to seek funding. Even if successful in receiving an award, it is usually several weeks or months before money is actually received. Formula funds are allocated annually to all states and provide stability for agricultural, forestry, and other important research programs, opportunities to leverage other financial resources, and provide a mechanism to immediately respond in emergencies. Research for local needs can be extremely important but may not fit nicely into the scope of changing priorities for a particular competitive grants program.

The proposed changes in the use of formula funds would have a severe impact on The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. The loss of about $500,000 would force the layoffs of several well-trained technicians, who play a critical role in conducting field and laboratory experiments and would significantly decrease funds for equipment, reagents, and scientific journals. The loss of research capacity during the 4-year phase-in period would be crippling. Moreover, the extra time required to write multiple grant proposals would cause a decline in scientists? interactions with stakeholders and impede their ability to directly solve problems. Simply put, successful research programs require stability and balanced funding from several sources.

This budget problem is now being reviewed by members of Congress. Our senators and representatives need to protect formula funds for research under the current system so that each state can be assured of receiving a share of the appropriation. Letters from the public will help our Congressional delegation justify making the necessary corrections.

You can identify your representative by going to http://www.house.gov and entering your zip code. Or if you know their name, use this list of CT House Representatives to contact the appropriate Representative.

Larson, John B.; Connecticut, 1st

District Office: 221 Main Street, 2nd Floor | Hartford, CT 06106 | Phone: (860) 278-8888 | Fax: (860) 278-2111

D.C. Office: 1005 Longworth HOB | Washington, D.C. 20515 | Phone: (202) 225-2265 | Fax: (202) 225-1031

Rob Simmons; Connecticut, 2nd

D.C. Office: 215 Cannon House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 | Phone: (202) 225-2076 | Fax: (202) 225-4977

District Office: 2 Courthouse Square | Fifth Floor | Norwich, CT 06360 | Phone: (860) 886-0139 | Fax: (860) 886-2974

DeLauro, Rosa L.; Connecticut, 3rd

D.C. Office: 2262 Rayburn House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 | Phone: 202-225-3661 | Fax: 202-225-4890

District Office: 59 Elm Street | New Haven, CT 06510 | Phone: 203-562-3718 | Fax: 203-772-2260

Shays, Christopher; Connecticut, 4th

District Office: 10 Middle Street, 11th Floor | Bridgeport, CT 06604-4223 | phone: 203/579-5870 | fax: 203/579-0771

D.C. Office: 1126 Longworth Building | Washington, DC 20515-0704 | phone: 202/225-5541 | fax: 202/225-9629

Johnson, Nancy L.; Connecticut, 5th

D.C. Office: 2409 Rayburn Building | Washington, DC 20515 | 202.225.4476 phone | 202.225.4488 fax

District Office: 1 Grove Street | New Britain, CT 06053 | 860.223.8412 phone | 860.827.9009 fax

Connecticut news Chapter Menu

National Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Especially if you're under a canopy of American chestnuts... ... See MoreSee Less

Especially if youre under a canopy of American chestnuts...

5 CommentsComment on Facebook

Unless, of course, it's fall. Then the chestnut seed pods are falling from the trees and creating a floor covered in pins and needles so sharp that it puts sweetgum to shame. You wouldn't want to be laying under the chestnut canopy then!

I live in Barboursville, WV and wanted to know if i can buy a seedling or how i go about acquiring one! Thank you!

The SHADE TREE COMMISSION in NEW PALTZ New York is interested in planting some CHESTNUT trees on Chestnut Street (Rt. 32). We would like to receive help from you if possible. New Paltz is a historic town and in the past there were MANY Chestnut trees here, Presently there is only ONE Chestnut tree which I grew from the nut of an elegant, large tree when it was sadly cut down. If there are any Chestnut trees available, or if you have any suggestion that might help us in this quest we would be greatful. Thank you for your attention., Shelly Ottens (moc.oohay@obobnyllehsih)

View more comments

Today was the last day of controlled pollinations in the southern region. Many thanks to the NC/SC Chapter members who came out to help! ... See MoreSee Less

8 CommentsComment on Facebook

Thank you for your hard work!

I'm in south Arkansas. We had miniature Chestnut call chink a pin which got wiped out in the 50s. I have found two this spring 2025. They are small.

Hello, is this a chestnut tree?

View more comments

This summer, we’re aiming to produce 1,000 hand-pollinated nuts for our genomic-assisted breeding program, and each one is a vital step toward restoring the American chestnut.

Producing a single nut takes time, tools, and teamwork. From pollination to harvest, every step is a vital part of the process to ensure that each nut has the best chance possible to grow into a more blight-resistant tree.

Here’s what goes into a single $25 nut:

Pollination Bag: $5
Hand Pollination Process: $5
Harvesting the Nut: $5
Shucking & Storing: $5
Equipment & Fuel: $5
Total per Nut: $25

By supporting just one nut, you’re helping us bring the American chestnut back to our forests. Support a handful, and you’re helping to rebuild an entire ecosystem.

This nutty campaign only runs from June 3 to 23, and we’ve got 1,000 nuts to grow. Join us!
support.tacf.org/nuts
... See MoreSee Less

8 CommentsComment on Facebook

Would the Chestnut tree grow well in the upper Midwest?

Question, why don’t you just plant the seeds/trees in an orchard and let nature pollinate them? That would reduce the cost exponentially and sell the seeds by the bag full? So people can then plant them in mass? Also, Why only 1000 seeds when one tree can produce more than that?

Howdy. He have four American Chestnuts together, growing opposite of several Chinese. They are about 20 years old. An interesting study.

View more comments

👍 ... See MoreSee Less

👍Image attachmentImage attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Is this possibly in the Chestnut family?

There are two work opportunities on June 7, 2025 for members of the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation.

The first is at the U.S. Forest Service property at 459 Nursery Bottom Road, Parsons. Work will begin at 10:00AM at the 'American Chestnut' sign. We will lay out spots for a 100-tree orchard that will be planted next spring. We also will weed the existing orchard and conduct other miscellaneous tasks. Bring gloves, water and lunch. A bathroom is available.

The second opportunity is at Jennings Randolph Lake north of Elk Garden in Mineral County. Forty American chestnut trees will be planted at the Roger Craig campground. Work will begin at 9:00 am. Bring gloves, water and a snack. This work is conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
If you are available to assist at either of these two work sites, it will be much appreciated.
... See MoreSee Less

There are two work opportunities on June 7, 2025 for members of the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. The first is at the U.S. Forest Service property at 459 Nursery Bottom Road, Parsons. Work will begin at 10:00AM at the American Chestnut sign. We will lay out spots for a 100-tree orchard that will be planted next spring. We also will weed the existing orchard and conduct other miscellaneous tasks. Bring gloves, water and lunch. A bathroom is available.The second opportunity is at Jennings Randolph Lake north of Elk Garden in Mineral County. Forty American chestnut trees will be planted at the Roger Craig campground. Work will begin at 9:00 am. Bring gloves, water and a snack. This work is conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.If you are available to assist at either of these two work sites, it will be much appreciated.
Load more

Subscribe to the CT Chapter Newsletter

* indicates required