A new Pennsylvania WoodMobile packed with more information than ever is ready to educate today's tech-savvy youth and other 99th Pennsylvania Farm Show visitors about the state's nation-leading hardwoods industry.

The new 34-foot enclosed trailer replaces an earlier WoodMobile trailer that debuted in 2002. The WoodMobile travels to schools, fairs and other outdoor events to educate the public about Pennsylvania's nation-leading hardwoods industry. It is coordinated by the Department of Agriculture, which administers the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council.

"Our forests are an important component of Pennsylvania agriculture, and have been for hundreds of years," said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. "Kids use more technology than ever, and incorporating videos and touch screens in this edition of the WoodMobile will help engage younger Pennsylvanians in our hardwoods industry while learning science, math and Pennsylvania history along the way. Visit the 2015 Pennsylvania Farm Show and see the new exhibit, which is ready for all ages."

Themed "An Educational Walk in Penn's Woods," the trailer, in the Main Hall of the complex, will be unveiled on January 9, and welcome its first visitors when the show opens January 10.

The traveling exhibit primarily visits elementary, middle and high schools across the state, where WoodMobile staff conduct classes, tours and workshops. Visitors learn from the displays and from staff how Pennsylvania's forests shaped the state's industry, how they've changed over the past century, what species grow in Pennsylvania, and which invasive inspects are impacting forests today.

They also learn about the forest products industry, including how foresters sustainably manage forests, the industry's economic impact, how wood products are made, and the many unusual ways forest products impact our lives every day.

The trailer's exterior is wrapped in a picture of a healthy stand of PA forest, featuring a walking path that invites visitors inside. A path inlaid in the trailer's hardwood floor guides patrons as they walk through and experience the interactive displays and information.

The front of the trailer's interior features a hardwood fireplace, cherry cabinetry and a television for viewing selectable video presentations. Spaces and displays throughout the WoodMobile were constructed using hardwoods representing the state's most relevant commercial species.

One side wall tells the story of Pennsylvania's forests and how, through sustainable management, Pennsylvania has developed the nation's largest reserves of standing hardwood sawtimber at 114.3 billion board-feet. The side features information on differences between hardwoods and softwoods, the ways we benefit forests, and threats – mainly by invasive species – to forests.

The other wall emphasizes wood as the most environmentally-friendly building and product material. It guides visitors through the entire wood products industry from logging to primary and secondary manufacturing, covering industrial, commercial and consumer products as well as economic impacts and career opportunities.

The WoodMobile now retired has been to all 67 Pennsylvania counties at least once in 715 events and has introduced more than 1.4 million visitors to the importance of the wood products industry and sustainable forest management. More than 145,000 students have been taught about forestry and wood products in formal workshops.

Both trailers and their equipment were funded by Pennsylvania hardwoods and wood products companies. The council funds and operates the program.

Deer Park Lumber of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, donated the new trailer. More than 50 additional companies, hardwood groups and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association donated materials and funds to complete the build of the totally-redesigned exhibit and to maintain its dedicated truck.

The WoodMobile operates from March to November.

For more information, including guidelines and forms for scheduling an appearance by the WoodMobile, call 717-772-3715 or send email to: RA-hardwoods@pa.gov, or visit Agriculture’s WoodMobile webpage.

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1/12/2015