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Tastes of the Valley Generates $49,000 in Donations!

Tastes of the Valley Generates over $49,000 for Friends of the Fair and Stan State Agriculture Program

 

Turlock, CA (December 19, 2019) – Now in its 17th year as a flourishing community event, the Tastes of the Valley annual fundraiser resulted in over $49,000 donation benefitting students in the Stan State Agriculture Program and Stanislaus Friends of the Fair Foundation.

Started by the Agriculture Program in 2003, Tastes of the Valley enjoys a strong partnership with the Stanislaus Friends of the Fair Foundation, which supports agriculture education. Funds raised by the event are shared by the Stan State Agriculture Program and Stanislaus Friends of the Fair Foundation.

“As supporters of the ag community, it is imperative that we support our future ag leaders and our partnership with Stan State’s Agriculture Program has been a wonderful way to give back to our community,” said Matt Cranford, chief executive officer of Stanislaus County Fair.

Proceeds from the event resulted in $25,000 fund scholarships for low-income and first-generation college students at Stan State pursuing careers in agriculture.

“In addition to scholarships, the funds raised by the event also strengthen the capacity of our Agriculture Program to support the next generation of young leaders in the agriculture industry through a variety of hands-on activities, professional development events and leadership development activities in the Agriculture Ambassadors student organization,” said Oluwarotimi Odeh, professor and Rolland Starn Endowed Chair of Agriculture at Stan State.

The 2019 Tastes of the Valley, held Oct. 3 at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, featured the wares of wineries and brewers, cheesemakers and restauranteurs from around the region, in addition to live and silent auctions.

“We extend our sincere thanks to all the individual and corporate donors and sponsors, and welcome new partners to join us in investing in our students,” Odeh said. “They are the future of the agriculture industry and future leaders of our communities.”