WASHINGTON–While many Connecticut farmers are scrambling to salvage their crops and repair the damage wrought by Tropical Storm Irene, one segment of the state’s agriculture community is still at a standstill: shellfish farmers.

And even if state officials succeed in getting a federal disaster declaration to help other Connecticut farmers recover, the U.S. Department of Agriculture aid pipeline will remain closed for those who grow oysters and certain other shellfish in Long Island Sound.

Read more here: Shellfish farmers cut off from agriculture disaster aid | The Connecticut Mirror.