He is also a member of the PA Association Supervisors of Agricultural Education, PA Christmas Tree Growers Association and PA Livestock Association. Weller currently serves as state advisor for PA Young Farmers Association and the PA FFA Association. Weller has 17 years of agricultural teaching and always tried to teach using IPM as a management tool for agriculture. Weller says his personal goal as a member of the board is to provide linkage of IPM with educational opportunities. Pa. The Horticulture Center is part of the agricultural and environmental education program at Milton Hershey.
Students learn real-world experiences by working directly with plants, animals and soil.
They learn to use a variety of equipment, follow the scientific method of research and investigation and get to interact directly with ag and environmental experts who visit the school. The beetles feed on purple loosestrife, a perennial noxious weed which is invading Pennsylvania wetlands at an alarming rate. By raising the beetles and releasing them, students are participating in one component of IPM, biological control. With the school's involvement in the project, more beetles could be released in 2000 to help combat the state-wide problem. One of several centers within the school, the Horticulture Center gives students and adults opportunities to utilize land and related facilities to learn about growth and care of plants for ornamental and food use.