The Fulton Center for Sustainability Studies at Wilson College will sponsor monthly educational sessions in lieu of selling produce, as part of its evolving role with the North Square Farmers Market in downtown Chambersburg.

The farmers market, now in its 17th year, has grown to include 15 full-season vendors. As a result, Wilson’s FCSS and Fulton Farm will no longer sell produce at the market in order to avoid competing with local growers. The college, one of the market’s founding members, will transition its role toward education according to FCSS Director Chris Mayer.

“As an institution, our mission is to educate,” said Mayer. “I think the role of a leader, our role, is to develop and then get out of the way.”

Wilson will present educational sessions for adults and children on a monthly basis, beginning on the farmers market’s opening day this Saturday, May 27. The first session in the “Growing Our Community: Fulton Center Summer Educational Series,” which will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., will focus on Lyme Disease prevention and symptoms, including how to spot and remove ticks, as well as on planting dates in our growing area.

The educational series was created by Wilson nursing master’s degree candidate Erin Young as part of a project exploring the intersection of health and agriculture, Mayer said.

Sessions will continue on the second Saturday of each month, from June through October. In June, the focus will be on sun safety and July’s emphasis will be on food waste and nutrition labeling. In August and September, presentations will examine eye safety and farm safety, respectively, and the October session will be centered on World Food Day, Mayer said.

The farmers market is located on the east side of North Main Street between King Street and Lincoln Way.

For more information, contact Mayer at 717-264-4141, Ext. 3247, or christine.mayer@wilson.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Chris Mayer, Fulton Center for Sustainability Studies Director
Phone: 717-264-4141, Ext. 3247
Email: christine.mayer@wilson.edu.

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Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 34 majors and master’s degrees in education, educational technology, special education, the humanities, accountancy, management, nursing, fine arts and healthcare management for sustainability. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation.

Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college had a fall 2016 enrollment of 1,098, which included students from 18 states and 16 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.