Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention

Master Gardeners in the region have been asked once again, to help out as volunteers at the annual Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable convention in Hershey February 2-4, 2010. Volunteers are needed at the publication booth, and to help as roaming survey takers throughout the convention. As a reward for covering a four hour shift, volunteers get a free pass to the convention for the day, and a lunch ticket for a meal there. In addition to your volunteer hours, attendance at any of the workshops counts as advanced training hours. There is also a trade show exhibit hall with suppliers showing off their products and services. Franklin County volunteers can contact Linda S. at the office at 263-9226 Ext. 234 to sign up for a time slot to help out. You can read more about the convention by clicking on the link above. From their website:

The Convention has been jointly sponsored by the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, the Maryland State Horticultural Society and the New Jersey State Horticultural Society for the past 32 years, making the 2010 Convention the 33rd meeting. The National Peach Council will meet at the Convention for their annual meeting as well. The Pennsylvania State University, University of Maryland and Rutgers University Cooperative Extensions all assist in organizing the three days of educational sessions. The Convention has become one of the premier grower meetings in the Northeast.

You’ll also have an opportunity to taste and provide consumer input to judge cider and the best value-added fruit and vegetable products from farm markets across the region. Details on the contests are also provided at the site.