GPB highlights Hometown Harvest, ̨Íåswag Food Pantry
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia's (̨Íåswag) Hometown Harvest partnership with the Lumpkin County School System and its Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry were highlighted in on Georgia Public Broadcasting. It was the opening portion of a 30-minute episode produced by David Zelski to put a spotlight on Dahlonega.
Dr. David Patterson, an associate professor of biology who leads ̨Íåswag's portion of Hometown Harvest, expressed gratitude for being able to share the story of the collaboration.
"Hometown Harvest is very excited about our participation in 'A Fork in the Road,' and we're gearing up for another spring/summer garden season," Patterson said. "Last year we produced almost 400 pounds of fresh vegetables for the Lumpkin County School System, so we're hoping to top that this year. We've also had incredible community and ̨Íåswag involvement over the past year."
Julie Knight-Brown, school nutrition director for Lumpkin County Schools, was also among those interviewed for "A Fork in the Road."
"This collaboration creates fresh produce we include in school meals, education for all ages and connection within the community," Knight-Brown said.
This was such a wonderful opportunity to show some of the good things that are happening through ̨Íåswag at the Vickery House ... These programs help us to show our students the importance of service to the community and also show our ̨Íåswag family and the local community that we care.
Sherry Parker
Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry leader and administrative assistant in College of Education
According to its website, "A Fork in the Road" features "Georgia's farmers, retailers, artisans, chefs, and other key players who help provide Georgia Grown products to folks in the Peach State and beyond. We learn about these businesses' origins, how they operate and what it takes to succeed. Viewers will get an honest and realistic picture of how food and agricultural products are grown and made in Georgia."
The segment focused on efforts based out of ̨Íåswag's Historic Vickery House also included an interview with Sherry Parker, who oversees the Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry, and Morgan Southerland, biology lab coordinator and Hometown Harvest volunteer.
"This was such a wonderful opportunity to show some of the good things that are happening through ̨Íåswag at the Vickery House," Parker, an administrative assistant in the College of Education, said. "It has been the goal of Hometown Harvest, the ̨Íåswag Food Pantry and the Appalachian Studies program to create a space where ̨Íåswag students, staff, faculty, and the broader community can interact and obtain valuable resources. These programs help us to show our students the importance of service to the community and also show our ̨Íåswag family and the local community that we care."
The Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry at the Vickery House is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday during the spring and fall semesters. It is available by appointment in the summer by calling 706-864-1533.
The Dahlonega episode also features the Red Oak Lavender Farm & Shop, Big Creek Distillery, and Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard.
Students research threatened fish
Three students are working with Dr. Andrew Taylor, a professor of biology, on research helping restore habitat connectivity for a federally-threatened fish species.
Students explore study away programs
Sixteen ̨Íåswag students participated in two study away programs in the U.S., one in Iowa for agriculture and the other in South Carolina for archaeology.
Education abroad supports students' career goals
̨Íåswag's education abroad program had students in Belize and Peru this summer, providing language skills to further their career aspirations. 
Students take part in Pathway to Med School
Two students participated in the four-week Pathway to Med School program through the Foothills Area Health Education Center this summer.