Madison County Agriculture Economic Development

UPCOMING EVENTS:

BUY LOCAL WEEK: August 11-16, 2008

Madison County's Agricultural Economic Development program and Cornell Cooperative Extension present Madison County's first annual Buy Local week to support local farmers and make citizens aware of the opportunities to purchase food locally. Through the sponsorships of Madison County Tourism, I Love NY, P&C Foods and Pride of NY, we will be coordinating several events throughout the week in support of the various aspects of Madison County Agriculture. Beginning on Monday, August 11 there will be articles in newspapers and several displays at P&C Supermarkets emphasizing the importance of buying local food and supporting local farmers. Then, on Saturday, August 16, there will be a county-wide celebration of farms. 12 farms throughout the County will be participating in "Open Farm Days" to welcome consumers to the farm to sample the specific products that each farm produces. The Cazenovia and Hamilton Farmers' Markets will also be unveiling Madison County's new farm maps.

How it works.

Each Buy Local Passport contains the names and locations of farms and farmers' markets, scattered throughout Madison County, offering locally grown agricultural products. On Saturday, August 16, participants can use their passports whenever they visit one of these venues. After visiting a passport destination, participants present their passports to the host farmers (or at the Buy Local Week tent in the case of the two farmers' markets) in order to receive a stamp. In addition to providing a stamp, many participating farms will offer free samples, farm tours, animal petting and discounts to all visitors. (Further details included under the farm descriptions in the following pages.)

How to win.

All participants who gather two or more stamps automatically receive a free Pride of New York hat, tote bag, or Buy Local T-Shirt as well as a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two grand prizes: a $100 gift certificate to either Circa restaurant in Cazenovia or the Colgate Inn in Hamilton. Each additional stamp earns participants an additional raffle ticket. Participants can submit their stamped Passports at any of the participating farms or farmers' markets.

COMMISSIONER PAT HOOKER CHALLENGES NYERS TO “EAT LOCAL”
"In the U.S., produce sold at a grocery store travels nearly 1,500 miles with approximately 40 percent of fruit grown overseas and 9 percent of red meat coming from countries as far away as Australia and New Zealand. Roughly 80 percent of the energy used in the U.S. food system goes to processing, packaging, transporting, storing and preparing food, and therefore, buying and eating local food helps reduce transportation costs, allowing more of the food dollar to be returned to the farmer."

Madison Bounty
www.madisonbounty.com

Madison County, in collaboration with Chenango County, has created a Mobile Farmers’ Market called Madison Bounty. Customers (individual households, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.) can order locally grown and processed items online and have them delivered directly to their door. If you are interested in learning more about Madison County’s first mobile farmers’ market, please visit: www.madisonbounty.com or call 315-697-9817 and ask for Becca.

Stay Tuned! The Agricultural Economic Development Program has a number of exciting initiatives underway:

--The Northeast Sustainble Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program just announced that the AED program was successful in its grant application, entitled: Strengthening Community through Enhancing the Economic viability of Dairy Farming: an innovative regional branding initiative! The AED program has established a Dairy Processing Committee who will help guide the next steps of the project -- determining a dairy product that can be produced and processed locally.

--The Gorman Foundation just awarded the AED Program funding to send the new dairy plant manager at Morrisville Auxiliary Corporation to complete an Artisan Cheese Making Certificate Program at the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese. The dairy plant manager will begin teaching cheese making classes at Morrisville's dairy plant beginning in the late-fall of 2008 -- the classes will be open to the public.

--The AED Program is putting together a local farm guide. 10,000 full color maps will be printed and dispursed throughout Central NY. Make sure your farm is included in the map, please register on the AED website today!

--The AED Program is sending out a large animal veterinarian survey to assess opportunities and challenges. If you know a large animal vet in the area, please encourage them to fill out the survey.

Marketing Opportunities

The Niles Gourmet Country Market is looking to buy more locally grown agricultural products.
If you are interesetd in selling to them, contact Eric and Sandy Becker 607-280-1460, 4588 Grange Hall Road Moravia, NY 13118

The Syracuse Real Food Co-op is looking to buy from more Madison County Farmers!
If you are interested in selling to the Co-op, please get in touch with Brad by phone: 315-472-1385 or email: brad@syracuserealfood.coop

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