Auction Proceeds To Benefit Youth In Horticulture, Harrisburg Projects

By attending a free auction at the state’s only nursery and landscape trade show, not can you help keep Pennsylvania green, but you’ll be helping youth in horticulture.

Thousands of dollars in scholarships, along with downtown improvement project funds, will be donated after the PA Green Expo’s annual public auction on Thursday, July 19, at 2 p.m. at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The auction is free and open to the public.

Scholarships will be awarded to FFA members from both the western and eastern portions of the state, based on eligibility. Scholarships will be presented to FFA members who demonstrate an interest in -- and have accumulated career development credits toward -- horticulture and landscape industries.

“This is our way of not only saying thanks for the help from the largest horticultural youth organization in the world, but as a way of returning the benefits provided by the success of the only nursery and landscape trade show in Pennsylvania,” said Gary Schoenly, expo owner.

“FFA members continue to assist the industry and the community in promoting a green Pennsylvania through many of the businesses and organizations they contribute to,” said Andy Andrews, expo sales manager.

The state horticulture industry ranks number 2 in agriculture, behind only dairy.

Application forms will be provided to the state FFA office during the month of June. July 6 is the deadline for applications, available from the Pennsylvania FFA Association in Harrisburg.

The auction of green and hard goods takes place during the final hours of this year’s show. Items that will be sold include bedding and groundcover plant materials, trees, shrubs, flowers, tools, seed, decorative material, and other goods.

Additional auction proceeds will also be donated to Harrisburg downtown park improvement projects.

“The more money the auction raises, the more we can give to not only the scholarships but toward downtown improvement,” said Schoenly. “That’s why it’s important to get great turnout for the auction.”

The auction is open to the general public and is free. Free parking is available on the site.

Last year’s auction proved very popular and was well-attended. More than $10,000 in proceeds went to the Penn State Arboretum project.

The PA Green Expo is Pennsylvania’s only nursery and landscape trade show. About 325 vendors with more than 500 booths are projected. The trade show also features a seminar program, a skid-steer rodeo contest, meet and greet reception, and other activities.

Check out PA Green Expo online at www.pagreenexpo.com, which offers free registration. For more information, contact Andy Andrews, sales manager, at 800/789-5068.