Farm Show: Youth To Showcase Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Technology

Life-size exhibits created by Pennsylvania FFA chapters will showcase agricultural advances that are improving the environment during the 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show's Agricultural Technology Display competition.

 

In its fourth year, the theme of this year's competition is "Agriculture Technology: Improving Your Environment."

 

The exhibits, which may include farm machinery and other large props, will be on display in the Expo Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. Presentations will be at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily on the Expo Hall Stage.

 

"These exhibits make a bold statement about the positive impact technology is having on agriculture and the quality of the world around us," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "By studying and preparing the exhibits for Farm Show visitors, students learned about the many opportunities available to them in the agricultural industry. Now they will share these lessons with the public to help foster a better understanding of Pennsylvania's number one industry."

 

A schedule and list of participants is below:

 

-- January 10: Eastern Lebanon County High School – "Water Power: A Natural Environmental Power Source"

 

-- January 11: Penn Manor High School – "Cows to Kilowatts"

 

-- January 12: Bermudian Springs High School – "Resourceful Conservation: Saving Our Soil"

 

-- January 13: Manheim Central High School – "Pennsylvania Farmers Grow a Rainbow"

 

-- January 14: Biglerville High School – "Wind Power: A Natural Environmental Power Source"

 

-- January 15: Chambersburg High School – "Pennsylvania Christmas Trees: Environmental Gifts"

 

-- January 16: Midd-West High School – "Global Positioning Systems: Environmental Preservation"

 

-- January 17: Cumberland Valley High School – "PA Hardwoods: A Natural Contributor to the Environment"

 

Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, in the Expo Hall. Each of the eight participating FFA chapters will receive monetary awards for participating, sponsored by Lancaster Farming. Additional funds will be awarded to winning exhibits.

 

The Pequea Valley FFA took home top honors last year for their display highlighting conventional till versus no-till farming.

 

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation, featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 270 commercial exhibitors. The show runs Jan. 10-17 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. Admission is free and parking is $8.

 

For more information, visit the PA Farm Show website.