ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

Each recommendation is linked to a part of the food system and are intended
to address uncovered problems.
The following recommendations have the potential to empower
food producers by recognizing their needs and informing them of options,
inform consumers as to sources of available nutritious local food, reconnect
stakeholders of the food system, and strengthen the local overall food system.
Each recommendation has an assigned priority level. Those of high priority
may be accomplished within a year, medium priority between 1 and 3 years,
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authority and then by priority level, each recommendation details methods
of realizing a more stable food system.
I. Erie County Agricultural Land Preservation Board & the Erie
County Department of Environment and Planning
1. Sponsor agricultural training courses (Medium Priority)
There is an aging farmer workforce. To increase participation in
farming, Erie County could work with existing agricultural training courses
in farming at local educational institutions. Cornell Cooperative Extension
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those interested in starting farming. The Board should take a leading role in
promoting existing training to farmers and potential farmers. Additionally,
farmers should take a role in providing ideas for additional training. These
offerings could include internships and apprenticeship programs to educate
young people with potential interests in farming on practices, tools and
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program may be measured by an increase in existing course enrollment by
10 percent, and by new courses offered to interested students.
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