Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension announced a new digital platform, Buy Madison County, to encourage people to buy local and to support farmers in Madison County.  

 They have created a website that lists the current 25 participants of the program, where they are located and what they are selling.

Goods from local farms on display at the press conference for Buy Madison County. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

The goal is to make it easier for Madison County locals to find these farms where they can purchase locally harvested or made goods.  

“We as consumers now want to know where our food comes from and we want to support our neighbors,” said Melissa Davis, CCE Agriculture Economic Development specialist, “=but it's hard to find where they sell their products, so this is to help with that.”

John M. Becker, Madison County board chairman, emphasized people want to know where their food is coming from.

Pete Walrod owner of Manny Maples talks about his participation in Buy Madison County. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

 

Pete Walrod, a participant of the program and the farmer-owner of Manny Maples in Georgetown, said the platform will help get the word out about his product and for people to easily find their farm stand.  

“I am just so happy that we can have professional people help us with a marketing because I would be content to stay in the woods and make maple, cut wood, and do those things that I enjoy, and to think that our business will grow because of the efforts here today, I think it’s really phenomenal,” said Walrod.