Onondaga Grown campaign begins 10th year

ON Farm Fest set for September                                          

SKANEATELES — A marketing effort with a catchy jingle that encourages the public to choose food and products grown in Onondaga County by more than 570 farm families is starting its 10th year. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and the Onondaga County Agriculture Council on June 11 formally launched the 10th year of the “Buy Local. Buy Onondaga Grown” campaign during a visit to Anyela’s Vineyards in the town of Skaneateles. Anyela’s Vineyards is also one of the 12 locations opening for a day of agritourism at the 8th annual Harvey Skeele ON Farm Fest, which is set for Sept. 21, officials announced during the June 11 event. The Onondaga County Agriculture Council describes the ON Farm Fest as “another way for community members to connect to local agriculture” through interactive tours and demonstrations. The full list of locations is available at: onondagagrown.com Both McMahon and David Knapp, Onondaga County legislator and chair of the Onondaga County Agriculture Council, discussed the importance of connecting the public with their food producers. “This year’s campaign highlights the importance of connecting the public directly with their food producers. That connection happens daily at farmers markets, local stores and farmstands, and in many cases — right at the farm in the form of agritourism.” McMahon said in a county announcement. “Onondaga County is focused on expanding and strengthening our local agricultural community. Through a multi-media campaign and the ON Farm Fest event, our goal is to inform the public of all the amazing products and experiences available thanks to their local farmer.” “I always look forward to announcing the year’s ON Farm Fest host venues because it showcases just how diverse Onondaga County’s agriculture system is,” Knapp said in the county’s announcement. “From a rural orchard to an urban farm, a family dairy to an equine rescue facility…there is so much to explore at the dozen farms that will be open for free tours on September 21st during ON Farm Fest.” The “Buy Local. Buy Onondaga Grown.” campaign seeks to educate the community on the health and economic benefits of purchasing in-season produce and other local products. Through radio and TV commercials, social-media posts, and signage, the campaign also highlights specific producers from within Onondaga County, per the announcement. All local retailers — from restaurants to grocers, farm stores to markets — who offer agricultural products grown in Onondaga County are invited to participate in the Onondaga Grown campaign by requesting a free media kit containing posters, window clings for entryways, and sheets of stickers for Onondaga Grown products. This gives consumers an easy way to identify and purchase Onondaga Grown products. The Onondaga Grown campaign continues to include a regular feature on The Local Show on WSYR Radio (AM 570 and 106.9 FM) on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 7 a.m. The feature involves farmers and businesses discussing the “Buy Local” movement.