West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design will host its inaugural Farm Fest to celebrate the cutting-edge research, teaching and outreach being done on the farms and in the labs to help improve our local communities and state.
Farm Fest will be from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Animal Science Research, Education and Outreach Center on Stewartstown Road. The event is free and open to the public.
Attendees can expect to see sheep shearing from start to finish—all the way to the wool product and weaving process. There will be demonstrations on natural fabric dyes, flying drones (weather permitting) and taste tests of freeze-dried candies. Stop by the soil pit for soil profile demonstrations. Those interested may bring a soil sample to be analyzed for free by the Soil Testing Laboratory.
“I wanted to offer an annual community event that celebrates agriculture across the state and focuses on the contributions of the Davis College,” Sven Verlinden, director of REOC programming and director of plant and soil sciences division, said. “This event will give the public a hands-on look at our farms and an opportunity to see the work that is being done.”
The WVU Insect Zoo, farm animals and therapy dogs from Hearts of Gold will be interacting with attendees throughout the event.
Prior to Farm Fest, there will be a volunteer trail-building outing in the woodlot of the farm from 9 a.m. to noon that day.
“My hope is that people will come to Farm Fest for the activities and the animals, but they will walk away with knowledge of agriculture and Davis College,” Verlinden added.
Guests will have the opportunity to purchase lunch for $15 per person. The meal will include pulled pork sandwiches on a brioche bun, potato salad, corn on the cob and a drink (soda or water). Stop by the Davis College Store table the day of the event to purchase tickets. Credit card, cash or check will be accepted.
The first 150 guests will receive a free plant. In addition, the Davis College Store will be selling items produced by students and West Virginia small businesses. Pumpkins from the farm will also be available for purchase.
For questions or to get more information, contact Verlinden at sverlind@wvu.edu.
The Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design envisions a world sustainably fed, clothed and sheltered. To learn more about the Davis College, visit davis.wvu.edu. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube by following @WVUDavis.
-WVU-
ls/09/21/23
CONTACT: Leah Smith
Communications Specialist
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304-290-8680; lnestor2@mail.wvu.edu
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