Stonington — Oz Griebel and Monte Frank on Tuesday pledged to stand by farmers and boost the state's $4 billion agriculture industry, should they win their independent runs for governor and lieutenant governor.

At a news conference at The 97 Farm in Stonington, Frank, who is running for lieutenant governor, laid out a host of agriculture policy recommendations that he and Griebel say will create jobs and new revenue opportunities for farmers, streamline decision-making in Hartford and maintain Connecticut's quality of life.

Griebel, who was not at the news conference, said in a statement that, "By adding agriculture to our plan, 'Connecticut: We Are All In This Together,' we continue to make the case that our plan is the most comprehensive plan to bring Connecticut back to pre-eminence."

The independent candidates are pushing for the creation of a commissioner of agriculture, who would be active in the farming community, responsive to concerns and proactive in creating or eliminating regulations. They also are advocating for a standalone agriculture committee within the General Assembly; expansion of vocational-agriculture schools; support for renewable energy and appropriate land use; and support of research and development at higher education institutions that would increase agriculture's viability and grow jobs.

"By promoting sound agricultural policy, not only will we be able to maintain the tradition and character that makes this state so great, but in addition we will be able to create jobs," said Frank, who noted he'd take the lead on agricultural issues if elected.

Frank made a heavy push to support the industrial hemp industry, calling on the state to take advantage of federal pilot programs, to develop licensing rules for processors and distributors and letting the University of Connecticut and other institutions acquire and study seeds for research and certification.

Kevin Blacker, who operates The 97 Farm, said the state has failed to follow through on creating rules and regulations made available through the federal 2014 Farm Act, which lets states take advantage of industrial hemp pilot programs.

"If we were allowed to, I would be exploring other potential avenues to generate revenue, like industrial hemp," he said.

Blacker added it is important for residents to realize that farms provide aesthetic beauty, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through open land, mitigate stormwater runoff and offer other benefits that don't have hard values.

"It's part of why people come here, part of our tourism and our quality of life," he said, noting he believes the independent candidates have better chances of bringing lawmakers together and getting the "state working as a team" than Democrat Ned Lamont or Republican Bob Stefanowski.

Frank added that he and Griebel wouldn't support any changes that would erode Public Act 490, the state statute allowing farms, forests and open space land to be assessed at its use value rather than its market value for purposes of local property taxation.

b.kail@theday.com