About Erie Grown
Erie Grown is Erie County's initiative to promote locally grown and in-season produce as well as maple syrup, honey, and agritourism activities. We hope to better connect consumers to farmers, farmers markets, and local foods by linking available goods with those who would like to buy them.
Erie County Executive Mark C Poloncarz created the Office of Agriculture in 2020 to address loss of farmland, improve the viability of farming, and assist rural municipalities with planning for Agriculture. These roles are even more important now given the devastating impacts of COVID 19 in the agricultural sector of our economy.
“One of the most effective ways to help support the viability of farming is to promote the purchase of local and regional farm products, and to encourage all county residents to ‘buy local.” “Buying local fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, flowers, etc not only supports our farmers and farm workers and helps to strengthen our local economy, it also provides a nourishing and healthy food supply that we all need in times like this.” County Executive Poloncarz.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County Executive Director, Diane Held, said "Farms are essential businesses during this pandemic, and how fortunate we are to have farmers working every day producing a variety of farm products right here in our community. You have an opportunity to directly help the farmer in your town or in your city neighborhood. Check out Erie Grown and contact a nearby farm that is selling via phone, text, website, or curbside and remember to thank your local farmer!"
Erie Grown Passport
This Erie Grown Passport program is designed to promote local and regional farm products by offering participants a chance to win prizes. The Erie County Office of Agriculture has partnered with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District, Taste NY, and New York State Grown and Certified to create the passport.
The Erie Grown Passport will run from March 15 through December 15. Participants earn points by visiting Erie County agricultural venues throughout spring, summer and fall. Participants can win prizes such as gift baskets, gift cards, maple syrup and more!
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “We can all support our agricultural sector, and one of the most effective ways to do that is to purchase local farm products. Buying local fruits, vegetables and other farm products not only supports our farmers, farm workers and their families, but also strengthens our economy. I encourage everyone to use this Erie Grown Passport to guide you to familiar farms and farm-related businesses and also help you plan to explore some growers you may never have visited before. This is a great way for the whole community to support Erie County growers.”
Erie County Office of Agriculture
The Erie County Office of Agriculture was created to address the loss of farmland, improve the viability of farming, and assist rural municipalities with planning or agriculture. The office works closely with the agricultural community to preserve agricultural lands and strengthen the agricultural economy through a number of programs, including Erie Grown, Erie County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, and the Agricultural District Program.