An assortment of wines, craft brews, and cheeses produced locally will be up for sampling during the upcoming Tastes of the Valley fundraiser to benefit agriculture education.
Taste of the Valley will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. This year marks the 15th year for the event, which is hosted by the Stanislaus State Agriculture Department and Friends of the Fair Foundation.
The theme this year is “Come Grow with Us,” and will feature food from a variety of vendors, including Hilmar Cheese Company. The event will also include 20 wineries, as well as an assortment of craft brews that will provide tasting.
Guests will be able to enjoy wine, cheese, and hors d’oeuvres while participating in a silent and live auction in order to help raise funds for the programs.
“Stanislaus State Agriculture is proud to partner once again with the Stanislaus County Friends of the Fair Foundation,” said Endowed Chair of the Stanislaus State Agriculture Program Professor Oluwarotimi Odeh. “We see this continuing partnership as one that will, not only solidify future funding support for our agriculture students, but continue to be a lasting relationship that will support youth and agriculture activities. What a great opportunity to come together to benefit two important organizations that support Stanislaus County Agriculture.”
The mission of the Agricultural Studies Program is to provide students with an understanding of basic principles governing the production and distribution of agricultural resources; agricultural and environmental resource management; pre- and post- production business and marketing practices; physical, chemical, and biological principles of agro ecosystems; global perspectives on food issues; restorative and sustainable agricultural practices; spatial and quantitative techniques; the social context of agricultural production; and public policy, regulatory, and land use issues.
The mission of the Stanislaus County Fair is to provide a family and community oriented experience promoting agriculture, entertainment, and technology.
“The Friends of the Stanislaus County Fair Foundation continues to promote education and agriculture throughout our community and our relationship with California State University, Stanislaus is another example of our accomplishments,” said Matt Cranford, Chief Executive Officer for the Stanislaus County Fair. “Education, leadership and community involvement from these students continue to promote our area and the agriculture within. We are excited and proud to be a partner of such a great program here in Stanislaus County.”
Tickets to the event are being sold for $50 each; with the proceeds benefiting the Agriculture Studies Program at Stanislaus State and the Stanislaus County Friends of the Fair Foundation. Tickets to the event can be purchased online at www.stancofair.com or at the Fairgrounds office.
Those interested in donating items for the auctions and/or would like to purchase tickets, please visit the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds located at 900 N. Broadway.