Over 1,000 consumers and almost 250 businesses united to make a difference in Connecticut. These people are committed to investing 10% of their existing food and gardening dollars locally as part of the Pledge to go 10% Local campaign. As a result, the program soon expects to reach $3,000,000 spent locally since its launch in August 2013, according to Associate Extension Educator Jiff Martin.
She coordinates a team of UConn Extension educators, staff and external partners in support of the campaign. By building on the work of buyctgrown and CitySeed, 10% Local encourages Connecticut’s residents to back local agriculture. The program is so successful that it is attracting the attention of other states that want to learn from this unique model and, possibly, replicate it.
Martin thinks of the 10% campaign as “a perfect fit for Extension because it enhances small farm businesses, supports family well-being through seasonal eating and builds on Extension’s strengths in outreach and engagement. The campaign’s visually appealing graphics and effective use of social media to promote a simple message (buy local) is an excellent model of contemporary Extension programming.” She sees the need for an up-to-date public educational effort like this one, which “includes the internet where so many people now turn for quick answers to all their questions.”
The first step is to educate individuals about the significance of buying Connecticut products and to ask them to pledge to buy 10% local. Many of the people who take the pledge are willing to track their spending and report the amount of food and gardening dollars spent locally, which is how the $3,000,000 figure was determined. In addition, the program encourages consumers to think beyond summer vegetables and consider year-round Connecticut products, such as maple syrup, wine, honey, craft beer, candy, wood products, wool blankets, nursery plants and artisanal cheese.
