HARRISBURG, Pa. — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, today announced that the Departments of Agriculture and Military and Veterans Affairs will join forces to recognize veterans and military service members, and their families on Thursday, January 9, at the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show.
“Veterans are the two percent who protect us, and farmers are the two percent who feed us,” said Sec. Redding. “We want veterans who spend time at the 2020 Farm Show to know just how much we appreciate their service and sacrifices for our freedom; and we want those who have found post-military careers in agriculture to know how much we appreciate their continued service to our communities.”
Throughout the day on Thursday, special music, competitions and ceremonies will honor veterans and their families for their service and their connection to agriculture. Select vendors will offer special military discounts and giveaways to active military and veterans with ID. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ Mobile Veterans Outreach Van will be present 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.
“I want to thank Secretary Redding and the entire Department of Agriculture team for inviting our staff to the Farm Show to perform outreach for our veterans. This great venue provides direct access to thousands of Pennsylvanian veterans and family members under one roof,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “This is an outstanding opportunity for our veterans to discuss benefits and other assistance programs directly with our Veteran Service Officers. Please visit the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs booth to learn more about benefits you earned by serving our nation.”
The day’s schedule is available online, and will include a concert by the Brass Quintet of the 553rd Air National Guard Band; the popular Army-Navy Cook-Off and cooking demonstrations by current and retired chefs from the U.S. Coastguard, U.S. Airforce, and Air National Guard on the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection stage; recognition of veteran farmers in the Homegrown By Heroes program, and much more. Discounts and special promotions for veterans and active duty military will be available from select vendors.
Throughout the eight-day show, active duty military and veterans will be invited to place a magnet on their hometowns or that of fallen veteran, leaving a message on a large-format Pennsylvania map in the GIANT® Expo Hall, thanking them for their service to our commonwealth and country.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show, the nation’s largest indoor agricultural event, will be held January 4 -11, 2020. It will feature 6,000 animals, 12,000 competitive exhibits, and 300 commercial exhibitors, all highlighting the quality and breadth of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and the people who make it thrive.
For more information about the 2020 show, visit farmshow.pa.gov.
–Shannon Powers, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture