Top Winners Announced for Erie Grown Passport 2025

By Blake Jackson

The Erie County Office of Agriculture has officially launched the 2026 season of the Erie Grown Passport program, while also recognizing the top participants from 2025.

Deanne Vitrano of Hamburg earned first place after visiting 24 farms throughout the year, receiving a gift certificate to Draudt's Farm Market & Greenhouses.

Adrianna Merlino of Cheektowaga secured second place and was awarded a gift basket from Taste NY at the Western New York Welcome Center.

Third place went to Margaret Mule of Amherst, who received a half-gallon of maple syrup courtesy of the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry.

Among all participating locations, the most frequently visited sites included the farmers markets in Clinton Bailey, East Aurora, and Hamburg.

The Erie Grown Passport program, developed through a partnership between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District, with support from the Erie County Farm Bureau, encourages residents to support local agriculture.

Participants can explore farms listed on the Erie Grown website and earn rewards while purchasing locally produced goods.

“The Erie Grown passport program has been a huge success and has strengthened connections between local growers and residents looking for healthy, nutritious and local-sourced products,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Make a plan this year to visit some local growers and eat healthy!”

“The Erie Grown Passport continues in its seventh year to highlight our vibrant Erie County farms and agritourism opportunities," Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Diane Held said.

"Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and Taste NY at the Western New York Welcome Center are happy to collaborate on this effort to boost visitors to the abundance and variety of farms in our local communities.”

The 2026 program begins March 21, aligning with Maple Weekend and Erie County’s Maple Fest celebrations.

For more information, visit https://www3.erie.gov/eriegrown/.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-kotenko-a