Students work with farm festival for capstone project
Lauren Karch
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Campus
Miami University students and the Oxford community will soon have an opportunity to learn about and celebrate local agriculture through the Harvest Moon Festival.
The festival will be held 2-5 p.m. Oct. 28 in Uptown Memorial Park.
"(The goal of the festival is to) celebrate local food, family farms and sustainable agriculture," said Jane Frye, a Miami senior and the student responsible for planning the festival.
Frye became involved in the preparation of the festival through work on her American Studies capstone project.
The Harvest Moon Festival is sponsored by the Miami/Oxford Organic Network (MOON), the local chapter of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA).
Students in the American studies program are given a wide variety of projects to choose from dealing with local issues, such as history in Oxford and environmental conservation efforts.
Frye said she learned about MOON through the capstone program and was impressed with plans to open a co-op store of locally owned food. She wanted to find a way to get involved, and was presented with the option of helping to put on the Harvest Moon Festival.
So far, she said she has enjoyed the experience.
"It's been really good to apply research for class outside and do something for the community," Frye said. "It's a good way to be hands-on. It makes you appreciate what you're learning."
A concert at the festival will cover a wide spectrum of musical genres, featuring performances by local musicians Warren and Judy Waldron, John Kogge and the Lonesome Strangers and Smolder.
Activities for children, including farm animal exhibits, will also be part of the celebration.
Local farmers will set up a "mini farmer's market," giving festival-goers the chance to purchase locally grown produce. Refreshments will be provided, including apple cider and popcorn donated by some of the local farmers planning to attend.
Several local organizations plan to set up booths and give out information about local agriculture and its importance.
The festival will be held 2-5 p.m. Oct. 28 in Uptown Memorial Park.
"(The goal of the festival is to) celebrate local food, family farms and sustainable agriculture," said Jane Frye, a Miami senior and the student responsible for planning the festival.
Frye became involved in the preparation of the festival through work on her American Studies capstone project.
The Harvest Moon Festival is sponsored by the Miami/Oxford Organic Network (MOON), the local chapter of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA).
Students in the American studies program are given a wide variety of projects to choose from dealing with local issues, such as history in Oxford and environmental conservation efforts.
Frye said she learned about MOON through the capstone program and was impressed with plans to open a co-op store of locally owned food. She wanted to find a way to get involved, and was presented with the option of helping to put on the Harvest Moon Festival.
So far, she said she has enjoyed the experience.
"It's been really good to apply research for class outside and do something for the community," Frye said. "It's a good way to be hands-on. It makes you appreciate what you're learning."
A concert at the festival will cover a wide spectrum of musical genres, featuring performances by local musicians Warren and Judy Waldron, John Kogge and the Lonesome Strangers and Smolder.
Activities for children, including farm animal exhibits, will also be part of the celebration.
Local farmers will set up a "mini farmer's market," giving festival-goers the chance to purchase locally grown produce. Refreshments will be provided, including apple cider and popcorn donated by some of the local farmers planning to attend.
Several local organizations plan to set up booths and give out information about local agriculture and its importance.
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