The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology will host its eighth annual Food, Family and Farm Month, with 25 events showcasing Fresno State students, staff, faculty and supporters and their close ties to the Central Valley agricultural industry.

All activities are open to the public over five weeks. Many are free, including three family-friendly events on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Events on Saturday, Oct. 17:

Jordan College Open House and Gibson Farm Market Fall Festival: Families are invited to the combined event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to decorate pumpkins, explore a hay bale maze, snap pictures on farm equipment and participate in crafts, games and student- and staff-led demonstrations. The event will also feature a free afternoon wine tasting and campus ice cream and food samples from the 1,000-acre Fresno State campus farm.

Gibson Farm Market Fall Plant Sale: Shoppers can enjoy a large selection of citrus trees, herbs, houseplants, shrubs and vegetable seedlings grown by Fresno State students, from 8 a.m. to noon at the semiannual sale (5368 N. Chestnut Ave.).

Walk for Water: The one-mile community walk through campus starts at 9 a.m. at the Memorial Fountain and is part of the national Walk for Water charity event benefiting Water Mission. The California Water Institute and Grundfos will host the two-hour event highlighting community and global clean water challenges.

Additional events during the month:

Oct. 14, Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 18 – 5:30 p.m.
Enology Society Wine Tastings 
The public is invited to learn about wine properties and production methods at the student organization’s weekly Wednesday meetings. Admission is $15 for the general public.

Oct. 15, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 – 3 to 4 p.m.
Smart Farm University Project
The grower and rancher education and outreach program will host free events focusing on soil health (Oct. 15), bee pollinator habitat restoration (Oct. 22), USDA veteran program for beginner farmers and ranchers (Nov. 5), Natural Resources Conservation Service (Nov. 12) and the Boots to Roots program for veterans (Nov. 19).

Oct. 16, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12
Ag One
The Ag One Foundation and University Advancement will host several events for alumni, campus and industry supporters raising money to support agricultural students and campus programs.

• Turf Day Classic: The 55th annual event returns to the Belmont Country Club (8253 E. Belmont Ave.) on Friday, Oct. 16.
• Kern County Alumni and Friends Luncheon: Alumni and agricultural industry supporters are invited to attend the 47th annual event at Tejon Ranch in Lebec on Thursday, Nov. 5.
• West Side Luncheon: The ninth annual event for growers and alumni will be held Thursday, Nov. 12, at Fresno Equipment Company (21350 S. Lassen Ave.) in Five Points.

Oct. 23 and Nov. 13 – 2 to 4 p.m.
Gibson Farm Market Wine Tastings
Adults 21 and older can sample student-produced wines from the award-winning Fresno State Winery, including its discounted “wine of the month.” The events are free to attend.

Oct. 24 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Whole Vine Festival
The fourth annual event offers food samples, wine tasting, educational displays, food trucks, art, music and children’s activities. The free event on the campus lawn, northeast of the Science II Building (near the southwest corner of Woodrow and Barstow avenues) spotlights the San Joaquin Valley’s role as the national leader in table, raisin and wine grape production.

Oct. 27 – 1:30 to 4:15 p.m.
Valley Made Manufacturing Summit Career Fair
Students can connect and network with San Joaquin Valley employers for information about internships and jobs. Fresno State, Fresno City College and the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance are organizing the event, with support from the Institute for Food and Agriculture and Center for the Optimization of Poultry.

Oct. 29 – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Agribusiness Management Conference
Agricultural industry leaders and experts will present on the latest technology trends, evolving regulations and Central Valley, national and international economic forecasts at the 45th annual event. Registration for the event at Pardini’s Banquets and Catering (2257 W. Shaw Ave.) is $150, and free for Fresno State students who contact Luz Mendoza in advance at luzmendoza@csufresno.edu.

Oct. 30 – 4 to 7 p.m.
Wine Club Fall Release Wine Tasting Party
Fresno State Wine Club members and the public can attend the free fall release party and enjoy some of the newest and favorite wines blended by campus viticulture and enology students at the nation’s largest and oldest campus winery.

Nov. 12 to 13
Collegiate Rodeo
The Bulldoggers campus rodeo club will host its only annual home event against the West Coast’s top collegiate clubs at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds (748 Rodeo Drive). Attendees can purchase tickets online or at the event.

Nov. 13 – 5:30 p.m.
Viticulture Club Fall Harvest Barbecue
The campus Viticulture Club will host its 73rd annual event at the Kings River Winery (4276 S. Greenwood Ave.) in Sanger. The event features food, wine and an auction to support professional enhancement activities and industry tours. Online admission tickets are $80, or $70 for students and veterans.

Nov. 13 and Nov. 17
Presentations at Industry Expos
Fresno State faculty and staff will join industry professionals in sharing their research and expertise at the Fresno Ag Expo on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds, and at the Tree and Vine Expo on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock.

For more information on many of these events, contact Luz Mendoza at luzmendoza@csufresno.edu.