Oct 19, 2016
As high school students from the GLOW region converge on Genesee Community College on Thursday, Oct. 20, for the fifth annual Harvest Festival and Farmer’s Market, the general public is also welcome for a cornucopia of delicious delights. Students can explore the many local career opportunities available in agri-business in the Conable Technology Building, while local products from maple syrup to freshly grown fruits and vegetables will once again be available to purchase from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the William W. Stuart Forum. There is no admission fee.
Agri-business professionals from the GLOW area begin the day with 20-minute, mini presentations running concurrently from 9 to 11 a.m. and noon to 12:45 p.m. The presentations focus on food processing, technology and the many career opportunities from the following presenters:
• Gina Lee, Finger Lakes Community College Wine Technology Program
• Todd Hofheins, Maple Moon, Attica
• Jeremy Liles, Oliver’s Chocolates, Batavia
• Holly Partridge, Farm to Table, Genesee Valley Education Partnership, Batavia Campus
• Peter Metzler, Porter Farms CSA, Elba
Finger Lakes Community College, Cornell University and SUNY Alfred State will also be on hand to offer guidance for completing a degree in an agri-business-related field.
There will also be a small petting zoo, hosted by the GCC Veterinary Technology Club, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Campus Crunch will be held at 12:45 p.m. in the Forum as part of a statewide initiative to have people bite into an apple simultaneously.
“With so much going on, Harvest Fest has something for everyone,” said Lindsay Carney, festival co-coordinator and GCC Accelerated College Enrollment Programs assistant. “In addition to local artisan food, drink and products, visitors can learn about careers in agri-business, which include marketing, social media, accounting and technology. Much more than traditional farming field positions. Of course, at this time of year, we again excited to welcome another great group of vendors who will offer some of the very best local products,” Carney said. Vendors who plan to attend include:
Vendors will include:
• Harrington’s, Batavia – vegetables and fruits
• Harper Hill Farms, Darien – goat milk soaps
• Hill ‘n’ Hollow, Pavilion – chutneys and vinegars
• Maple Moon Farms, Attica – maple syrup
• Once Again Nut Butter, Nunda – butters and honey
• Mama Bucks, Dansville – brittles
New to the Harvest Fest this year will be exhibits by Genesee County Park, BCA Ag Technologies, CY Farms, Provitello and USDA-NRCS. They will join a host of other local businesses that will have displays students can explore in the Forum, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County Soil and Water, Oxbo International, Perry’s Ice Cream and Upstate Niagara Milk Cooperative.
For more information, contact Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616 or dsutherland@genesee.edu.
