Media release from Georgia Northwestern Technical College:
Two Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) Horticulture students have received a Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Scholarship.
The scholarship has been awarded to Mary Sharay and Olin Yaoapoqa. Both are Horticulture students at the Floyd County Campus in Rome.
“We are excited to continue our support of GNTC’s Horticulture program and look forward to continuing our partnership,” said scholarship donor Samantha Leslie, executive director of the Rabbit Valley Farmers Market (RVFM) in downtown Ringgold. “We believe supporting our community, its youth and educational opportunities is the forefront of Rabbit Valley’s mission, and we look forward to expanding our support and partnerships in the future.”
The Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Scholarship was established to provide financial support to incoming high school students and first-year GNTC students pursuing a degree, diploma or certificate. Scholarship applicants must be planning a career related to farming, gardening, landscape design, environmental issues, floral design or horticulture.
“Support from the Rabbit Valley Farmers Market enables our horticulture students to achieve their educational goals,” said Lauretta Hannon, executive director of Institutional Advancement at GNTC. “RVFM is a wonderful partner of the college, and we are deeply grateful.”
The Rabbit Valley Farmers Market is open on Saturdays during the spring and summer season in the pavilion across from the historic Ringgold Depot. Local vendors sell produce, meats, cheeses, soaps, candles, bread, homemade goods and more, Leslie said.
Visit www.rabbitvalleyfarmersmarket.com for more information about the market and its events.
In the GNTC photo:
(From left) Brandy Johnson, community outreach coordinator of Rabbit Valley Farmers Market; Samantha Leslie, executive director of Rabbit Valley Farmers Market; Olin Yaoapoqa, scholarship recipient; Drew Thams, finance director of Rabbit Valley Farmers Market; and Nick Barton, director of the Horticulture program at GNTC. Not pictured is scholarship recipient Mary Sharay.