By Christina Lengyel | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show opens its doors this week, celebrating agriculture’s role in ‘Powering Pennsylvania.’
The industry contributes $132.5 billion and 593,000 jobs to the state.
“The theme is a testament to the power of agriculture in every region of Pennsylvania. It’s the engine that powers our economy, builds our community, and drives the quality of life in our state,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.
The week-long event begins Saturday and is expected to attract over half a million visitors.
Redding led a preview of the event, beginning with the unveiling of this year’s 1,000 pound butter sculpture, ‘From Moo to Marvel: Dairy Cows Power Pennsylvania,’ created by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken.
The sculpture features a cow alongside a methane digester, which uses manure and food waste to create and capture biogas which can be used to power vehicles and generate heat and electricity.
Dairy Farmer Kacie Hershey of Ar-Joy Farms in Cochranville spoke about her family’s use of the technology.
“This incredible system generates clean electricity, powers our farm, and even contributes to the local power grid,” she said.
Also on display were methane-powered tractors and agricultural equipment demonstrating the future of sustainable farming. Self-driving equipment like tractors featured by Forrester Farm Equipment of Chambersburg, promises to bring greater efficiency to crop production but with a steep price tag. The Maserati Blue New Holland tractor can cost businesses upwards of $300,000.
Continuing with the themes of conservation and technological innovation, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will be offering activities and education about the relationships between agriculture, the wider ecosystem, and individuals.
Dr. Gretta Tritch Roman, director of research development and initiatives, called the state “a living laboratory” and discussed the ways the school aims to translate cutting edge research into practical farming applications, like monitoring insect and animal populations for disease and using robotics for crop management.
The Farm Show will be unveiling a new lecture series entitled Women in Agriculture. Its first speaker will be acclaimed animal scientist, Dr. Temple Grandin, on the morning of Thursday January 9th. Grandin’s work on the humane treatment of livestock and advocacy for autism rights have earned her attention well beyond the world of farming.
Farm show audiences, however, largely flock to the event for two things: food and furry friends. This year’s new additions promise not to disappoint.
Joining fan favorites like the Calving Corner and goat cuddling, Swartz Farms of Mohnton is offering Farm Show visitors the opportunity to kiss one of their snuggly Mini-Highland Cows. The activity’s $5 per person proceeds will go to Friends of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Foundation.
New items hitting the food court include mint milkshakes, loaded fries and potato cakes, Brussels sprouts, and cheddar and bacon stuffed mushrooms. The event will also feature culinary demonstrations throughout the week. Chef Kurt Wewer will host visitors like Food Network’s Chef Jet Tila to highlight food grown and produced in Pennsylvania.
The exposition has been held annually, with the exception of a few years during wartime, since 1917 and is the largest indoor agricultural event in the United States. It will feature nearly 4,000 animals, 12,052 entries, and 3,000 competitors from across the state as well as 275 commercial exhibits.
