Pennsylvania Forestry Association Holds Annual Conservation Banquet

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA) held their annual conservation banquet to raise funds to support forestry education within the Commonwealth on March 2. Over 225 PFA members, friends, forest landowners, foresters, forest products enthusiasts, and longtime supporters united at the Ramada Conference Center in State College for the festivities. To start things off, the Brush Mountain Band brought their guitar, bass, violin, banjo, harmonica, and voices to delight the crowd, especially with their rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” In the silent auction room, dozens of tables overflowed with forestry-themed products to bid on. There were edible forest products, rough-cut lumber packs of interesting tree species, small, finished wood products, and many other items. And, the live auction was certainly lively! Enthusiastic bidders raised their hands again and again in hopes of securing many great items. The above bowl with the geometric theme commanded over $400.

After the auctions, old and new friends enjoyed a great dinner and settled in for the $10,000 draw-down. When 10 of the 350 tickets remained in the running for the grand prize, those ticket holders assembled in chairs at the front of the banquet hall. All 10 finalists won at least $100 cash and a ticket for next yearʼs event. The excitement was palpable, especially when they drew the second-to-last ticket. The remaining ticket holder, who had just won $10,000, leaped to her feet and rejoiced with several of her friends.

It was a great night for forestry conservation through networking of the attendees, and the raising of over $20,000 to support our education programs. We greatly appreciate your attendance and donations of auctions items and look forward to both at next year’s event.

For more information about PFA, visit their website at www.paforestry.org or call 800-835-8065.