GCC's Harvest Festival, Farmer's Market & First Annual Campus Crunch

Thursday, October 16, 2014 ~ Genesee Community College, Batavia Campus

BATAVIA, NY (10/15/2014)(readMedia)-- What: GCC's Harvest Festival, Farmer's Market & First Annual Campus Crunch

When: Thursday, October 16, 2014 ~ 9:30 a.m. -2 p.m. ~ Campus Crunch at 12:30 p.m.

Where: Genesee Community College, Batavia Campus~ One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Background: The community is invited to join area high school students to learn more about local agri-business at the third annual Harvest Festival and Farmer's Market at Genesee Community College on Thursday, October 16, 2014 from 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. on the GCC Batavia campus. Presenters will speak in concurrent sessions from 9:30-11 a.m. and 12-12:45 p.m. Local businesses will have exhibits from 9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the Forum. The Farmer's Market will be open from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

New this year, the whole GCC campus is invited to gather in the Forum at 12:30 p.m. for a collective "Campus Crunch." Taking a bite out of an apple together they will demonstrate a commitment to locally grown food that's healthy for people and the planet. GCC's event is a precursor to the New York Campus Crunch, set to take place at campuses around the state on October 24, 2014 at noon. "We contacted the Campus Crunch planners and they were excited that GCC would conduct its Campus Crunch a week earlier in conjunction with our third annual Harvest Fest on October 16, which also happens to be World Food Day," said Maureen Leupold, GCC Director of Science.

The Harvest Fest this year offers a special focus on Women in Agriculture, with presentations by women successfully working in fields such as veterinary medicine, calf raising, food processing, dairy and sheep farming. "We want to send the message to the young girls of our area that there are a lot of opportunities for them in the agriculture world," said Marirose Ethington, GCC Biology Professor and Festival co-organizer.

Children and animal lovers will enjoy the GCC Veterinary Technology Club's popular small animal petting zoo. And a variety of locally grown products will be available for sale at the Farmer's Market, from fruit chutneys to maple syrup, yarn to soap, and of course, apples.

For further information, contact GCC Career Pathways Program Director Debbie Dunlevy at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6316, or via email: dkdunlevy@genesee.edu.

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