By Blake Jackson
The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning Office of Agriculture has received the 2026 Implementation Award from the Western New York Section of the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association.
The recognition highlights the office’s efforts to connect agriculture with land-use planning, support local food systems, and preserve farmland throughout Erie County.
Created in 2020 by Mark C. Poloncarz, the Office of Agriculture has become an example of how local governments can combine agricultural sustainability with economic development strategies. County officials said the office has played an important role in strengthening support for farmers and agribusinesses across the region.
“Erie County farms and agribusinesses inject about $200 million annually into the County’s economic output, so to say that they are a key sector of our economy is an understatement,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.
“We needed an entity that would lead the County’s efforts to promote agriculture-related economic development and farmland protection, and the Office of Agriculture has done just that with the Erie Grown website and Passport. Congratulations on this well-deserved award.”
Several initiatives contributed to the award, including municipal and agricultural planning grant programs that helped communities update zoning and comprehensive plans with agriculture-focused priorities.
The office also developed farm-friendly zoning analyses as part of the county’s updated Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan.
Other recognized efforts included the Erie Grown website and Passport program, more than $2 million in disaster relief funding for farms impacted by severe weather, and policies such as the countywide sky lantern ban aimed at protecting farms and livestock.
“The Office of Agriculture has been a tremendous advocate for farmers and growers in the County," said Erie County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board Chair Brett Kreher.
"Their leadership on the recently updated Agriculture & Farmland Protection Plan, managing the Ag District Program, and promoting the protection of critical farm soils from development has had positive results”.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-artiemedvedev
Categories: New York, Government & Policy