By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Hundreds of thousands of visitors will attend the 93rd edition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition.

The show opens Saturday and runs through Jan. 17 at the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.

Nearly 400,000 visitors are expected to attend the show that provides family fun, learning opportunities and great food.

During the eight-day event, visitors will have a chance to see nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 270 commercial exhibitors.

In addition, exhibitors can hope to tap into more than $550,000 in prize money.

This will be Dennis Wolff’s sixth farm show since becoming the state’s agriculture secretary, and he has seen many remarkable changes in the agribusiness in less than a decade.

One of the most significant changes is how agriculture increasingly generates more renewable energy to help reduce the state’s dependence on foreign oil.

“Agriculture is innovative and diverse, and the farm show provides the perfect venue to share what’s new in our state’s No. 1 industry,” Wolff said.

Compared to agricultural practices by their predecessors in the 1960s, current farmers can view today’s industry as a modern miracle.

“We have more than doubled the yield of production per acre,” Wolff said. “Where we once got a yield of 60 bushels an acre, we now boast 145 bushels because of technique and technology.”

The farm show’s theme is “Keeping Pennsylvania Growing.”

Exhibits will demonstrate how agriculture is incorporating cutting edge technologies and the many ways agribusinesses are infusing the economy with jobs and capital investments while contributing to a safe food supply.

One of the most popular attractions is the food court, located in the expo hall and main hall of the complex.

The food court offers a variety of products that are produced in Pennsylvania.

Always represented at the farm show are maple producers from Somerset County.

Lynette Ely of Jenner Township and secretary of the Somerset County Association of Maple Producers, said local producers will join other members from across the state in an association exhibit in the Main Hall, near the front entrance.

“There is a competitive exhibit and a sales exhibit,” she said. “Visitors can purchase products made from maple sap such as cotton candy, maple spread, candy, yogurt and sundaes. Most producers are out now checking lines and equipment and getting ready for taping trees.”

The official tree-taping ceremony is Feb. 28 in Somerset County.

Miguel Saviroff, Somerset County Extension agricultural educator, is impressed by the modern technology that is a highlight of the farm show.

“From using a GPS to robotics, I enjoy seeing how we can use technology to reduce labor costs,” he said. “We have seen a shortage of workers particularly among tomato and mushroom pickers.”

The bottom line of the farm show is having fun.

Children can become farm show detectives and investigate Pennsylvania agriculture by visiting 18 learning stations located throughout the complex.

The kids can investigate where milk comes from, pet an alpaca, find out why bees are important to growing food and discover what dogs can do.

“Youth visiting the farm show can learn about Pennsylvania’s No. 1 industry, agriculture, in a fun, engaging way,” Wolff said.

“It’s vitally important to the future of our industry that we share the message of agriculture with youth so they grow up with an appreciation of where their food comes from.”

The young detectives will use a special map to guide them to the interactive learning stations located throughout the farm show.

“I spend eight days at the show and I still don’t see it all,” Wolff said.

“It’s great family fun and a good place to go in January.”

Admission to the farm show is free.

Off-site parking is $8 per vehicle, which includes shuttle bus service.

Information: (717) 787-5373.



Going full till

What: 93rd Pennsylvania Farm Show.

When: Saturday through Jan. 17.

Where: Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg, off exit 67 of Interstate 81.

Admission: Free.

Parking: $8 off site, which includes shuttle bus service.

Information: (717) 787-5373.