Farm Plates in Connecticut

[AndyMA]

I'm curious if anybody has had any experience or knowledge of Farm registration plates in Connecticut. I have a "hobby" farm there but we also grow nursery stock. I'm interested in the requirements to "prove" you're a farmer and also the cost of insurance. My F350 dump truck and trailer's commercial insurance went over $2,000 this year so I unregistered it. I'd like to get farm plates if they are much more reasonable.
Thanks for your input.

andy

 

[BillyP]

Andy, I don't know about Connecticut but in Oklahoma, you have to go to the courthouse and fill out papers for a farm #. So, you might check at your local courthouse.

I doubt the insurance would be any cheaper but I don't know. I do know a farm tag is $34.50, no matter what model it is.

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


Here's the CT Farm Registration...

Need Adobe Acrobat reader to view it...

Here's the CT DMV site... for more info...

Basically... the vehicle has to be used SOLELY for farm use... Commercial farm needs gross annual sales of at least $2,500 / year...


Hope this helps...

Dave...

 

[AndyMA]

Thanks Guys,

I also did a little research on my own today. They have changed the regulations in the last couple of years for startup farmers. They allow you 2 years to come up to the $2500/year or you have to pay back all of the tax savings. Also I think you need to spend an average of $2500 during your startup years to get going or they don't consider you serious.

I'm having an insurance agent get me a quote. Where's grainger12002 when I need him. (he's a conn insurance agent).

Andy

 

[LAGEORGE]

AndyMA, spending $2,500 should be no big deal, just go out and buy a new tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif 2.5K does not go as far as it used too, so planning a budget to meet the requirements should not be to much of a stretch. Depending on your situation and scope of your hobby farm that may be more of a limiting factor due to requirement to make $2,500 in 2 years, I guess you better plant a crop that will produce something in that time. I grow Avocado and Citrus trees and the ones we are planting this year will not be producing a crop for 5 years from planting. So that would be a hardship in my case.
In California we also have Farm Plates but they are very limiting, to the point that most farmers option out of getting them. I went ahead and got what they call “special equipment” plates for my tractor and wagon. Since I road the tractor to the local supply stores and move lots of dirt and mulch. It cost me $7 dollars for 3 years for each piece of equipment. Even though they are not required it is good for tax purposes and roading since the local PD’s at times do not understand laws pertaining to farming.

George

 

[Slamfire]

I'd expect the LAPD to want to see off road vehicle stickers on your tractor. LASD ought to know better, there's a lot more tractors in their jurisdiction. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[AndyMA]

Believe it or not, Conn does not require plates of any kind on tractors or farm equipment used solely for ag purchases. You only get to drive between your farms and fields and to the repair shop.

Andy

 

[BillyP]

Oklahoma is the same way.

 

[Dave___in___CT]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Believe it or not, Conn does not require plates of any kind on tractors or farm equipment used solely for ag purchases. You only get to drive between your farms and fields and to the repair shop.

Andy )</font>

Andy...

Have a phone number to call to get this kinda' info ?


Thanks...

Dave...

 

[BPD239]

I'm not sure that a tractor can be driven to the dealer in Connecticut. A tractor can be driven on a public highway provided it isn't traveling faster than 4 miles per hour and it being used in the manner it is manufactered for. If a tractor needs a trip to the dealer it would have to be trailered, like construction equipment. Tractors can also be driven to property used on the farm, and can also be driven with implements to any other private farm.

Farm plates for motor vehicles in Connnecticut also have a restriction in the radius that can be driven from the farm....I'm not sure if it was 50 or 100 miles from the farm.