The Erie County Office of Agriculture kicks off its 2026 season for the Erie Grown Passport program.
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The program, created by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District, helps promote the sale of local farm products by offering residents a chance to win prizes.
The top Passport participants from 2025 were also announced on Friday:
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First place – Deanne Vitrano of Hamburg visited 24 farms and received a gift certificate for Draudt’s Farm Market and Greenhouses.
Second place – Adrianna Merlino of Cheektowaga received a gift basket that was donated by Taste NY at the WNY Welcome Center
Third place – Margaret Mule of Amherst received a half-gallon of maple syrup that was donated by the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.
“The Erie Grown passport program has been a huge success and has strengthened connections between local growers and residents looking for healthy, nutritious and local-sourced products,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “Make a plan this year to visit some local growers and eat healthy!”
Erie County Farm Bureau President Daniel Brenner said, “Erie County farmers are responsible in supplying fresh, local products to consumers both within Erie County and beyond. We’re proud that the Erie Grown program highlights the hard work of our farmers and encourages residents to support local producers. We urge all Erie County residents to take full advantage of the Erie Grown Passport program to discover and purchase locally grown food and farm products.”