The Stanislaus State Agriculture Program and Friends of the Fair Foundation are gearing up for the 17th annual Tastes of the Valley Wine and Cheese event at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds.

The Tastes of the Valley will be hosted on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with wineries and brewers from around the region offering samples of their best wines and beers; local cheesemakers will be on hand and some of the region’s best restaurants will have small plates of favorite menu items. In addition, the popular silent and live auctions will round out an exciting evening. Tickets to the event are being sold for $50 each; with proceeds benefiting the Agriculture Program at Stanislaus State and the Stanislaus County Friends of the Fair Foundation. Tickets to the event can be purchased online at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds website at www.stancofair.com or Stanislaus State website at https://www.csustan.edu/agriculture/tastes-valley. Tickets are also available at the Fairgrounds office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“The Friends of the Stanislaus County Fair Foundation continues our relationship with California State University, Stanislaus in support of the Agriculture Program,” said Matt Cranford, Chief Executive Officer for the Stanislaus County Fair. “These students have a great future in our community, and we are proud to support them in their agriculture education endeavors. We are excited and proud to be a partner and able to have such a positive impact on their futures.”

Guests will be able to enjoy wine, cheese, and hors d’oeuvres while participating in a silent and live auction in order to help raise funds for the programs. The interested in donating items for the auctions and/or to purchase tickets, visit the fairgrounds are at 900 N. Broadway, Turlock.

“Stanislaus State Agriculture is proud to partner once again with the Stanislaus County Friends of the Fair Foundation,” said Dr. Oluwarotimi Odeh, Professor and Rolland Starn Endowed Chair of the Stanislaus State Agriculture Program. “We see this continuing partnership as one that will not only solidify future funding support for our agriculture students but continue to be a lasting relationship that will support youth and agriculture activities in our communities. What a great opportunity to come together to benefit two important organizations.”

The mission of the Stanislaus State Agriculture Program is to prepare students for productive careers in the dynamic global food and agriculture industry and become responsible leaders in the community. More information about the Stanislaus State Agriculture Program is available at https://www.csustan.edu/agriculture.

The mission of the Stanislaus County Fair is to provide a family and community-oriented experience promoting agriculture, entertainment, and technology. For more information log on to the website at www.stancofair.com.