Earlier this week Erie County and the Southtowns Coalition hosted a Southtowns Farm Tour to promote local agriculture and provide an update on local happenings in the farming community. My district is rich with farm land that produces an abundance of crops annually, in addition to the farms located throughout the rest of Erie County. The tour highlighted just a few of the many farms and growers located here, providing insightful information.

Local farming is critical to all of Erie County and we have to support the farms to ensure we have a prosperous county. We are extremely fortunate to have families and businesses here that have been committed to agriculture for generation after generation. One example of longevity that was highlighted on the tour is the W.D. Henry & Sons Farm, which has been operating for more than 125 years.

I think many Erie County residents aren’t fully aware of how impressive our local farms are. Erie County has approximately 1,040 farms, which employee a large workforce. There is more than 142,600 acres of farm land and the market value of products sold exceeds $133,146,000 (based on the 2012 Farm Census). Erie County ranks near the top in several categories, including third in the state for producing nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod, and fifth for poultry and egg production. This is incredibly impressive.

As we enter the prime growing season, make sure you shop local whenever possible and enjoy the freshest produce available. Many farms have their own stands, in addition to supplying to major grocery stores and farmers markets, making it easy to buy from local farms. Supporting local farms and growers ensures that more money stays here in Erie County.

Throughout the summer local communities will be celebrating local agriculture. Don’t forget to stop by the Springville Dairy Festival (June 5-7); Eden Corn Festival (August 6-9), Erie County Fair (August 12-23) and others.

Just a reminder that the final Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13 at the ECC South Campus. Accepted item are: pesticides, fertilizers, pool and household chemicals/cleaners, oil-based paints and spray cans, paint thinner, stripper and solvents, batteries (lead acid & rechargeable, oil, gasoline, kerosene and antifreeze and mercury (thermometers, thermostats, metal). For more information on this event, please call the Household Hazardous Waste 24-Hour Hotline at (716) 858-6800 or visit www.erie.gov/environment.

Don’t forget, the county’s Walk in the Park series is underway. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the schedule is as follows: Saturday, June 6 at Isleview Park Gazebo; Saturday, June 13 at Como Lake Park Casino; Saturday, June 20 at Emery Park Field House and Saturday, June 27 at Chestnut Ridge Park Casino.

If you have a question or concern about a county matter, please call or email my office at 858-8850 or john.mills@erie.gov.