Local landowners, farmers, interested parties, and town and village leaders are invited to participate in an upcoming program at Monroe Community College that will focus on the future of local agriculture.
Planning for the Future of Agriculture by Monroe County Towns is set for March 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. in MCC’s R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center (Monroe A/B), 1000 East Henrietta Road. The program is hosted by MCC’s Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute (ALSI) and speakers include ALSI Senior Specialist Bob King, Ph.D. as well as farmland protection experts from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
King says municipal policy can encourage agriculture. “By being conversant on critical issues impacting agriculture and the food related industry, municipal leaders and the public can work together to promote balance and quality of life within their community,” he explains.
The March 25 program will help local leaders to do just that within their town or village. “Critical issues include: quality of life, tradition, economic activity, balance of economic uses, agriculture and food related employment opportunities and food security,” King says.
Additionally, he notes, the program will help the public, including landowners and farmers, to better understand how to assist local leaders who have an interest in addressing critical agricultural issues within a town or village.
“Given the times, I have found that many local officials are inundated with the business and responsibility of running a municipality and tend to lack the time to stay abreast of critical issues impacting agriculture and the opportunities to promote quality of life within their community,” observes King. “Consequently, we are offering local leaders and the public an opportunity to better understand these critical issues and knowledge of funding opportunities to mitigate these issues.”
Agriculture and the food-related industry is constantly changing and evolving, King adds. “Hence, there is a need at the town level to periodically evaluate and update comprehensive plans and to make changes to policy and codes when appropriate to do so. This meeting provides information and guidance on how to effect change at the town level.”
To reserve a seat for the program, contact Susan Warner, MCC, at swarner14@monroecc.edu or (585) 292-2720 by March 18. Parking is available in lots N or M.
