Statement From Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II Regarding ON Farm Fest 2020 and Announcing a New Way to Honor and Support Local Farms
Here in Onondaga County, we are proud of our thriving agricultural community. It is a community that includes over 600 farms and generates $350 million for our local economy.
Five years ago, the Onondaga County Agriculture Council created ON Farm Fest as a special and unique event to connect the public with the farms in our county. Through education, interactive experiences, and family fun, ON Farm Fest brought everyone together for an enriching day on the farm. Thousands attended and many returned year after year.
However, due to COVID -19 restrictions, the Onondaga County Agriculture Council has canceled this year’s annual ON Farm Fest event.
Although ON Farm Fest won’t take place this year, I am proud to declare September 19th, 2020 as “Onondaga Grown Day”. Additionally, our partners in the Onondaga County Legislature passed a resolution designating Saturday, September 19th as “Buy Local, Buy Onondaga Grown Day”.
On this day, and throughout the year, the public is encouraged to patronize our many agricultural businesses – from orchards to pumpkin patches, farm stores to farmers markets, breweries and more.
To find local businesses to visit, use the maps listed here. Be sure to practice social distancing and adhere to the guidelines set at each agri-business.
To continue the original mission of the ON Farm Fest event, the Onondaga County Agriculture Council will host a series of “virtual” video tours at the Onondaga Grown website and Facebook page. In addition, the Onondaga Grown Facebook page will be continuing its popular “Farmer Friday” series through year’s end.
The pandemic has altered how we show support to local business and changed how we partake in events and special occasions. At the same time, our support has never been more important to ensure that these local businesses can stay in business. We hope you feel inspired to celebrate and strengthen our local agricultural economy.
Let’s grow stronger together. Let’s choose Onondaga Grown.
