MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — A new survey is out for residents of Madison County to identify topics of interest for a new Food for Thought dinner discussion program to be offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension Madison County (CCE MC). This survey marks the beginning of a 16-month initiative aimed at connecting Madison County non-farming community members with local food producers. The survey will be distributed via email and social media platforms, as well as hard-copies for those who may not have internet access. The questions in the survey were developed to increase understanding of the specific topics of interest, as well as perceptions related to farming from farmers and non-farmers in Madison County. The results will serve as a guide for the selection of topics to be discussed at Food for Thought dinners to be held beginning Fall of 2020. This new innovative program is made possible through the generous support of the Central New York Community Foundation.
While the percentage of Americans involved in agriculture continues to decrease, the number of people interested in learning about the origins of their food continues to increase. At the same time, the financial and mental health challenges facing farms and farmers continues to increase. A combination of declining farm profit, increased operating costs, consumer lack of knowledge regarding the origins of their food, reliance on social media for information, aging population of farmers, and lack of young people interested in farming, results in incredible uncertainty for the future of farming. The Food for Thought project addresses these timely topics with an innovative approach to reconnecting the Madison County community.
The Food for Thought program will consist of a series of free dinner discussion events centered around the interests of farmers and non-farmers as identified by the survey. The dinners will serve as the foundation for dialogue aimed to improve non-farmers understanding of farming, increase trust between both parties, and establish new communication networks that may assist in offsetting the continuing concerns of mental health struggles and increased suicide rates among US farmers.
Madison County residents are urged to complete the survey at the following link: https://cornell.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bqJoU3l1iKm2Nzn
The survey has also been posted on the CCE MC website: madisoncountycc.org and Facebook page: Cornell Cooperative Extension Madison County. Please note that there is an option in the survey to identify interest in being invited to a Food for Thought dinner starting fall 2020!
Please contact Dr. Karin Bump with any questions or concerns: kbump@cornell.edu; 315-684-3001 ext. 104
“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”
–Ashlee Young, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County