Students to Demonstrate Advances in Food Processing Industry at 2011 PA Farm Show

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania FFA chapters will showcase advances in the state's food processing industry through life-size exhibits and demonstrations during the 2011 Pennsylvania Farm Show Agricultural Technology Display competition, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said today.

The competition, themed "Keeping Pennsylvania Growing: Open for Business," pairs leading local food businesses and FFA chapters, and will be held Jan. 8-15 in the Expo Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

"Thanks to the support of industry partners and the good work of agricultural education students from across the state, Farm Show visitors can learn about the technology that has made Pennsylvania's food processing industry more efficient and competitive," said Redding. "I encourage visitors to stop by the Expo Hall to discover how agriculture is keeping Pennsylvania growing and open for business."

Each participating FFA chapter must obtain its own materials and work with a processing partner to build an appealing display that educates and entertains visitors. In addition to the display, each chapter and processor will have one day to feature the company and sample products to the public.

Redding said the partnership between companies and students has been mutually beneficial, introducing students to the diverse careers available in the agriculture industry while giving companies the opportunity to shape the next generation of agricultural workforce leaders.

The schedule and list of partners follows:

• Saturday, Jan. 8 – Penn Manor High School partnering with Turkey Hill;
• Sunday, Jan. 9 – Northern Lebanon High School partnering with Bell & Evans/Farmers Pride;
• Monday, Jan. 10 – Eastern Lebanon County High School partnering with Furmano's;
• Tuesday, Jan. 11 – Biglerville High School partnering with Knouse Foods;
• Wednesday, Jan. 12 – Manheim Central High School partnering with Hatfield Quality Meats;
• Thursday, Jan. 13 – Pequea Valley High School partnering with Good Foods/Golden Barrel;
• Friday, Jan. 14 – Cumberland Valley High School partnering with Seltzer's Smokehouse Meats; and
• Saturday, Jan. 15 – Chambersburg Area High School partnering with Utz Quality Foods.

Winners will be announced at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, in the Expo Hall. Each of the eight participating FFA chapters will receive monetary awards sponsored by Lancaster Farming, with additional prizes awarded to winning exhibits.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation, featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 290 commercial exhibitors. The show runs Jan. 8-15 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Admission is free and parking is $10.

For more information, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Nicole L. C. Bucher, 717-787-5085

Editor's Note: To receive news releases, media advisories and story ideas, subscribe to the Farm Show Media Service at www.farmshow.state.pa.us (click on Media).

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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