Ag Day at the Capital is Wednesday, March 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Lobby and Hall of Flags, Hartford. Exhibits represent various aspects of agriculture. Or compare with an upcoming Ag Day at the Capitol across the continent, California's Ag Day.

The New England Dairy Conference convened at University of Connecticut, Storrs this week. There are currently 152 active dairy farms in Connecticut, according to the department of agriculture. We will continue to tour farms and listen to the business owners and managers to share their stories with our readers. Learn more how much better quality tastes in an ongoing series of farm profiles and more interviews with the people who bring good food and fresh products to the table.

Farms large and small, plus markets, gardens and artisan make up the face of Connecticut, New England and the USA. When we choose to support area growers and producers, the benefits in land use, food quality and freshness benefit the local economy and quality of life in one big circle. Want to talk turkey about agriculture’s monetary contribution to the state’s economy? How about an estimated impact of $3.5 billion, according to authors of the study, “Economic Impacts of Connecticut’s Agricultural Industry.”

Although Connecticut is the third smallest state in the nation, agriculture is a vital sector in its economy, according to the study. Farmland accounts for 405,616 acres – slightly more than 13 percent – of the state’s 3.18 million acres; and Connecticut’s 4,916 farms (which average 82 acres in size) rank first in New England in terms of market value per farm and per acre. Think about that next time you drink a glass of milk. Here's a look at the diversity of a smattering of events coming up.

The Eastern Connecticut Draft Horse Association (ECDHA) Plow Match is Saturday, April 16, Saturday at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Start time is 9 a.m. Fee, $10 per teamster. Open to members and nonmembers; spectators welcome. Judge to be announced.

Chick Day, two opportunities to add to your flock – April 16 at A.S. Labieniec Farm & Pet Supply in Berlin; April 23 at Shagbark Lumber, East Haddam. More details about each event, coming up.

It's time to mark the calendar for the Connecticut Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival, April 30, rain or shine, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon.

And more about why attending area events can improve our lives while enriching our communities, from the economic impact study:

“On a per capita basis, the agricultural industry generates approximately $1,000 in sales per Connecticut resident. Included in the estimated total is a figure of $1.7 billion in value-added impact, the difference between the value of agricultural output and the cost of raw materials, or the money left in the hands of residents of the state which they can then spend buying goods and services in Connecticut.

The study, conducted and authored by UConn’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics in cooperation with the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis, used direct agricultural sales generated in 2007 to calculate the industry’s $3.5 billion contribution to Connecticut’s total gross product of $212 billion that year, which was roughly the size of the economy of Ireland or Israel.

Also of interest to those who understand land use, planning and community go hand in hand: A conference on Thursday, March 31, organized by the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association (CFBA) will bring people together to discuss the fundamentals of municipal planning and zoning and help educate attendees on how they can work to support local agriculture. The summit will take place at Maneeley’s, 65 Rye Street in South Windsor, Conn. For details visit www.cfba.org, or call (860) 768-1100.

“As soils are depleted, human health, vitality and intelligence go with them.” – Louis Bromfield