PA Farm Show Turns 99

There’s no denying the popularity of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, which has taken place for 99 years and draws many thousands of visitors to the complex where it is held in Harrisburg, PA. This year’s event ran from January 10-17, with the dependable mix of agriculture, animals, and Pennsylvania-produced foods and beverages.

Photo by Sandy Long of the 2015 butter sculpture at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

2015 Butter Sculpture

Cruising the booths in the massive Main Hall, it was nice to spot a familiar face on the cover of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture’s (PASA) 2014 “Farmbook.” Brian and Sam Fox, of Salem Mountain Farms in Waymart, PA, were profiled in the publication. The brothers sell a variety of high quality vegetables at several farmers markets in Honesdale and Hawley, PA in Wayne County. They also wholesale their produce, particularly their garlic, in Manhattan.

PASA’s 24th Annual Farming for the Future conference is coming up on February 3 -7 in State College, PA. This year’s theme is “Nature As Mentor,” and the opening keynoter is Frances Moore Lappe, author of 18 books including Diet for a Small Planet. Call 814-349-9856 to learn more.

Photo of canned goods at the PA Farm Show.

Canning is a PA Tradition

Samples were in abundance at the PA Farm Show as well. Two interesting products among the many were a tasty syrup made from Shagbark Hickory (570-455-9929) and some small batch, hand-packed nut butters.

Blind Spot Nutbutters is a family business born of the father, Troy’s, vision loss. Instead of losing hope when he stopped working, the family found a way to support themselves and give back to the community by contributing to ForSight Low Vision Rehabilitation, which works to prevent, prepare for and manage loss of vision. Call 717-968-0479 to learn more.

To see what we saw on our trip to the PA Farm Show, visit Sandy Long’s PA Farm Show Gallery.

[Photos © Sandy Long]