Secretary Russell Redding recently announced that the Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to plan activities for Veterans, Military and their Families Day on Thursday, Jan. 12, as a part of the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show.
“Our servicemen and women sacrifice so much for our country, and when returning home, we need to ensure that they have opportunities in the workforce. Veterans possess a variety of skills that are needed in the agriculture industry,” noted Secretary Redding. “By showcasing their talents at the largest indoor agricultural exhibition in the country, we are creating a conversation and a pathway to help veterans discover new occupational opportunities. It is our honor not only to recognize them, but also to thank them for their service.”
The state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ Mobile Veterans Outreach Van will make its debut as an exhibitor at the 2017 PA Farm Show. The mobile “office” will be set up and staffed with Accredited Veteran Service Officers to provide information and assistance to veterans and family members who may be eligible for programs, benefits and services.
“In keeping with DMVA’s goal of making benefits more accessible to Pennsylvania’s nearly 900,000 veterans and their eligible family members, we are excited to partner with the Department of Agriculture to bring one of our Mobile Veterans Outreach Vans to the PA Farm Show this year,” said Brig. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general. “We encourage attendees to stop by and talk to any of our Accredited Veteran Service Officers to learn more about the benefits they have earned through their service to our country.”
The 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show runs until Jan. 7-13 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Jan. 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is $15 in on- and off-site Farm Show lots, and free shuttles are available from off-site lots. Please note that the parking lot surrounding the former PSECU building is no longer designated as official Farm Show parking. The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is easily accessible from nearby Interstate 81.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the nation’s largest indoor agricultural event, featuring 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, and 300 commercial exhibitors. According to the most recent report issued by the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, the annual show has an estimated economic impact of $95 million to the south-central Pennsylvania region, supporting more than 18,000 jobs over the course of the week-long event.
For more information about the 2017 show, visit <www.farmshow.state.pa.us>.
