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Local Food Journey

The Pennsylvania Farm Show (part 1)

Posted by Emily Wiley on 01/13 at 11:46 AM

Farm Show Cows. Photo Credit Mary Miller.

The 2011 Pennsylvania Farm Show concludes this Saturday after one full week of livestock contests, horticulture exhibits, wine tastings, country music, and culinary cook-offs. Mary Miller of The Fork and The Road reports from the annual event.

There was a little cow poo on the floor and there were lots of chickens (not good for my avian phobia).  But those were the only negatives that I encountered at the 2011 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. A few weeks ago I drove past the old Allegheny County Fairgrounds and felt a real sadness for the days when my dad would take me out to the fair to see the prize-winning animals, perfect pies, and giant tractors. But I relived those days this week and was so excited to see that thousands (literally tens of thousands, I think) of others get a kick out of this kind of thing, too. Farming is hot in central Pennsylvania.

The Butter Sculpture

Enclosed in its own temperature controlled glass box, Jim Victor’s masterpiece took over ten days to sculpt and used 1,000 pounds of butter. After the show, the butter will be made into bio-diesel fuel. (Pennsylvania ranks second in U.S. butter production. Who knew?)

Prize-Winning Produce

Prize-Winning Jams and Jellies

The show runs through this Saturday, and it is a wonderful way to spend a day. Admission is free, and parking is $10. It’s a real bargain.

Next up: my favorite Pennsylvania food products from the show.