FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2003
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees Hold Joint Informational Meeting on Farm Show Audit

HARRISBURG – Recommendations to improve the Farm Show facility in light of a recent performance audit were presented at a joint informational meeting of the Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, according to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Waugh (R-28).

ssistant Comptroller for Audits Steve Swalm said that the recent audit showed that a lack of management controls, poor communication, and questionable business practices had caused a deficit for the Farm Show Complex. The audit made several recommendations to improve the operations of the facility, including hiring a marketing representative and a financial expert.

Bureau of Farm Show Director Ed Nielsen said he expected to fill these positions quickly, and that action on some of the recommendations was already being taken. Nielsen also outlined a number of new events that would boost revenue for the Farm Show to help in reducing the facility's deficit.

Swalm said that the deficit at the end of the audit was roughly $3 million, but that the current number may be lower. In addition to the changes recommended in the audit, Sen. Waugh has proposed using $1 million from the Farm Operations account to reduce the deficit.

"We have a world class facility that is competing for world class events," Sen. Waugh said. "I think this is something we should seriously consider."

Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, Deputy Secretary of Administration for the Department of Agriculture Russell Redding, and Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs for the Department of Agriculture Bill Wehry also attended the hearing.