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| Raised bed gardens, taken at the Alfred Community Garden |
BELMONT - Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Allegany, Steuben, and Cattaraugus Counties are interested in developing a home gardening initiative that supports residents growing their own food. The offices are seeking community input to show whether there is an interest for this new program. The extension offices have developed an anonymous ten question survey designed for residents of the tri-county region. All residents are encouraged to respond to the survey regardless of gardening experience or interest. The survey will close on Tuesday, June 2nd at 5pm, so please respond to the survey by the deadline. To complete the survey, please go online to https://tinyurl.com/
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many residents are thinking more and more about how and where they get their food. There has been a spike in interest in local food purchasing, home cooking, and gardening to increase the self-reliance of communities to provide for their own food needs. This new program is in its developmental stages and will target low-income and beginner gardeners, either in a neighborhood or individual setting. Extension Agricultural Educators will teach gardening lessons in multiple sessions over a series of weeks and provide new gardeners with hands-on experiences, construction materials, garden tools, and mentorship.
Allegany Extension Educator, Cassandra Bull, is working from home during this time but is still available to help our community through email or phone. Please contact her by emailing CB775@cornell.edu or by calling 585.268.7644 ext. 25 with any additional questions or to be involved. Helping consumers grow fresh, safe, healthy, local foods while providing residents with access to reliable nutrition education is what Cooperative Extension does best. Its mission of bringing local experience and research based solutions together, helping New York State families and communities thrive in our rapidly changing world is exemplified in continued local and regional food system work. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
