For Release: September 2, 1999
EDITORS: SEE LOCAL INTEREST P.2

Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

PROVIDENCE - The RI Department of Environmental Management's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing will sponsor the annual Rhode Island Harvest Festival at Warwick Mall from Thursday, September 9 through Sunday, September 12.

From one end of the mall to the other, shoppers will have the opportunity to see and purchase a wide range of Rhode Island farm products, from cheese, flowers, apples and pumpkins to maple and honey products. Festival displays will include nursery stock, Christmas trees, apples, and a live, enclosed honeybee display.

Cabot Creamery, an international and national award winner for its cheeses, will be an exhibitor. "Many Rhode Island farmers distribute milk that goes into the making of Cabot cheese," said Stephen Volpe, Deputy Chief of DEM's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing and head of its marketing program. "Several local dairy farmers will give out free samples and explain what it takes to make award-winning cheese," he said.

At the festival, the US Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency will have information on its outreach programs, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank will offer information on hunger in Rhode Island.

Browsers can pick up recipes, buy holiday items and plants, and be treated to a display of new tractors, as well as a 1935 Model B John Deere tractor restored to its original condition.

"Rhode Islanders appreciate the local farming community and often turn visits to berry farms, apple orchards, and Christmas tree farms into memorable family outings," Volpe said. "The Harvest Festival allows us to bring diverse farm products to one central site, and showcase the value of the state's agricultural community".

This is the 13th year DEM's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing has sponsored the festival. The Division works with the state's 700-plus farmers, municipalities, and consumers in many ways: certifying health of livestock, offering farmland preservation and conservation techniques, inspecting pesticides and training applicators, operating the state's mosquito abatement program, and promoting Rhode Island farm products under the theme, 'Rhode Island Grown - Fresher and Better Just for You.

Other festival participants include Dave-Chris Farm & Nursery of West Kingston, Pippin Orchard Nurseries, Inc. of Cranston, Charlie's Sugarhouse of Greene, Westville Garage & Equipment of Taunton, MA, RI Beekeepers Association of Warwick, Big John's Christmas Tree Farm of West Greenwich, RI Junior Horticulture Association and Wedgewood Greenhouse of Saunderstown, Secret Garden Herb Farm of Cumberland, Moosup River Farm of Greene, and Pezza Farms of Johnston.

Festival hours on Thursday through Saturday will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.