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.
Frye explains that many farmers feel they are "losing control of local agriculture" as less people are buying food from local producers, opting for nationally known products.
"Buying produce from local farmers really helps the community, the local economy, and the environment," she said.
In case of rain, the festival will be moved to the United Methodist Church at 14 North Poplar St.
Following the festival, a dinner prepared with locally grown food and sponsored by the Harry T. Wilks Leadership Institute will be held at the United Methodist Church from 5-7 p.m.
The dinner is open to the public, and the menu will consist of baked ziti, as well as locally prepared soups, breads and desserts. A donation of $5 per person is suggested.
Carol Goland, the executive director of OEFFA, will speak at 5:30 p.m. about the positive effects of purchasing locally grown food.
Sophomore Jennifer Woolum, a Wilks scholar, explained that the Wilks Leadership Institute works in three communities, including rural Butler County.
The institute is a two-year program for Miami students, and promotes community-based learning while preparing students to be active citizens and community leaders.
Woolum was encouraged by a Latin American studies professor to apply for the Wilks program. Upon being admitted, she decided to work in the Butler County community.
"You don't really know until you read about it how important local foods are," she said.
Woolum said that many community members, ranging from local farmers to restaurant owners to city council leaders, have been invited to attend the dinner.
"The goal that we have is to bring people together and bring awareness to the cause," she said. "It seems right now that the only people who care are farmers. We want to get restaurant owners and the Miami community involved and culminate our efforts to really help local food take off."
