FAMU Center for Agroecology Hosts 4th Annual Harvest Fest Celebrating “Reclaiming Our Roots”
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Lola Hampton-Frank Pinder Center for Agroecology will host its fourth annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at the FAMU Agroecology Community Garden, located at 301 W. Orange Ave. The free, family-friendly event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrating the theme “Reclaiming Our Roots.”
This year’s festival will highlight community engagement, local food systems, and sustainable practices that honor the legacy of Lola Hampton and Frank Pinder, two trailblazers who advanced agricultural education, community health, and collective well-being. The FAMU Center for Agroecology — the first of its kind at an 1890 land-grant institution — continues their mission to cultivate both the soil and the soul of the community.
“Our goal is to make agroecology accessible and inspiring — to show that sustainability is not just about farming; it’s about culture, community, and care for the Earth,” said Jennifer Taylor, Ph.D., co-chair of the FAMU Agroecology Center.
The FAMU Harvest Fest, now in it's fourth year, has a little bit of fun for everyone.
(Photo special to FAMU)
The festival will feature farm tours, garden workshops, cooking demonstrations, educational panels, cultural performances, local vendors, and a children’s storytelling corner. Guests will also enjoy an ancestral tribute space, drum call ceremony, and community mural project designed to celebrate collective resilience and heritage.
“This festival is more than an event; it’s a call to action. It’s where stories, soil, and spirit come together to remind us that everything we need to thrive is already within our community,” said Brandy Tyler-McIntosh, Harvest Fest 2025 coordinator.
Through its annual Harvest Fest, the Center continues to strengthen relationships
among farmers, families, students, and community organizations while advancing food
sovereignty, sustainability, and cultural pride across the region.
A young Harvest Fest attendee peers through a magnifying glass into the unknown. (Photo
special to FAMU)
“Lola Hampton and Frank Pinder built a foundation that connects education with empowerment. Harvest Fest is an extension of their work — it’s how we continue to reclaim our roots and grow together,” said Kwasi Densu, Ph.D. co-chair of the Center.
Event Details
Theme: Reclaiming Our Roots
Date: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025
Time: Farm Tours 9–11 a.m. | Harvest Fest 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: FAMU Agroecology Community Garden, 301 W. Orange Ave., Tallahassee, FL
Admission: Free and open to the public
About the Lola Hampton-Frank Pinder Center for Agroecology
The Lola Hampton-Frank Pinder Center for Agroecology (LHFPCA) at Florida A&M University is the nation’s first center dedicated to advancing agroecology and organic farming systems from the perspective of small farmers and their communities. The Center’s mission is to empower people through education, research, and outreach — promoting environmental stewardship, healthy food systems, and sustainable livelihoods that honor traditional knowledge and cultural resilience.
Media Contact:
Brandy Tyler-McIntosh
Harvest Fest 2025 Coordinator
850-284-4039
Agroecology.Center@FAMU.edu
@famu_agroecology
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
