2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show Draws Thousands

The largest indoor agricultural event in America drew thousands of visitors this weekend: the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show, an annual exposition of agriculture from around the commonwealth, featuring livestock, rodeos, and a giant butter sculpture.

Held in Harrisburg every January, the Farm Show is 24 acres of livestock, agricultural products, farm equipment and events dedicated to the largest industry in the sixth-largest state in the nation. Visitors can avail themselves of dozens of food products made from Pennsylvania crops, educate themselves about the latest and greats farm practices, or see one of the dozens of events like a rodeo or square dance contest.

Governor Edward G. Rendell addressed the Farm Show on Saturday, praising the state's commitment to agriculture and strides made in developing renewable-energy industries.

"Agriculture has been vital to our economy and culture since the beginning of the commonwealth," said Governor Rendell in a release summarizing his remarks. "Pennsylvania's agriculture industry continues to grow and adapt to the changing needs of Pennsylvanians. Our farmers today are taking advantage of exciting new opportunities, like alternative energy, and I am committed to finding the resources they need to keep growing."

The Farm Show was first held in 1917; over the eight days of the show, more than 400,000 visitors are expected to attend, viewing nearly 8,000 animals, 10,000 exhibits, and hundreds of scheduled events. The show is held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, the dedicated location of the show, sprawling over 11 separate buildings and including three arenas.

Dozens of types of animals are represented in the livestock competitions, including goats, sheep, cows, pigs, chickens and ducks, as well as more unusual animals like draft horses or fancy rabbits.

Exhibitors will compete for cash prizes totaling $465,000 in any of the more than 10,000 competitive exhibits, including the many youth livestock and agricultural competitions. This year's show theme is "Presenting Pennsylvania Agriculture, New Ideas for New Markets."

A perennial favorite with young visitors, one portion of the exhibit hall is dedicated to the display of brand-new farm equipment, including tractors, threshers, mowers and combine harvesters. Admission to the show is free, though parking costs $5.

Perhaps the most memorable of the annual events at the Pennsylvania Farm Show is the life-sized butter sculpture, created by Jim Victor of Conshohocken, Penn. The sculpture, on a different theme each year, is sculpted from hundreds of pounds of butter, and after the show, is converted into biodiesel.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, "Governor Rendell Kicks Off Farm Show." Pennsylvania Farm Show Web Site
"Pennsylvania Farm Show." Wikipedia
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, "Farm Show Facts." Pennsylvania Farm Show Web Site
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, "Presenting the 2008 Farm Show." Pennsylvania Farm Show Web Site