Oyster Grower Says USDA is Indeed Working to Get Help to LI Sound Shellfish Growers

Brendan Smith of the Thimble Island Oyster Co., is saying via Twitter that this story (about how Connecticut officials are pessimistic about federal grants to help Long Island Sound shellfish growers whose beds and equipment were damaged by Irene) is wrong.

Smith Tweets at @organicoysters. Here are three Tweets from this morning:

Courtney has no idea what he's talking about. spoke with Farm Bureau today and was told article and Courtney totally off base.

Courtney: "They don't qualify for anything under USDA because they're not defined as agriculture." Wrong. met with USDA...

USDA working on several grants for shell fishermen right now in CT. ex:engine green conversion. we're regulated as farmers etc