HARRISBURG, Pa. — A sculpture made from more than 1,000 pounds of butter and showcasing the diversity of Pennsylvania agriculture was unveiled at the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show. The sculpture, sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, has been a staple of Pennsylvania’s Farm Shows since 1991.
The show continues through Jan. 15 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
All things agriculture
This year’s sculpture pays tribute to the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show and the state’s agriculture industry. It depicts the many commodities grown and produced within Pennsylvania with a blue rosette ribbon, while capturing a show enjoyed by all ages: an FFA member exhibiting her dairy cow, along with a 4-H member with his baby chicks, a lady and gentleman showing off their blue ribbon apples and pies, and a quilt and spinning wheel behind them. These features are surrounded by the words “100th PA Farm Show” as a blue and gold centerpiece.
“For the past 100 shows, the Pennsylvania Farm Show has provided an opportunity for exhibits to display the best of the state’s agriculture industry and for visitors to learn more about how their food goes from the farm to the shelf,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding in helping unveil the sculpture.
The eight-day show is themed, “Our Commonwealth’s Blue Ribbon Experience.”
Redding added that this show is not only a labor of the state Department of Agriculture, but involves partnerships and support of organizations, vendors, volunteers, visitors and exhibitors.
Redding unveiled the sculpture with the help of Farm Show exhibitor and dairy farmer Debbie Cornman of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania State Dairy Princess Savannah Zanic of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania FFA President Lily Guthrie of Perry County, Pennsylvania 4-H President Courtney Walter of Cumberland County and sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton.
Crafted by Victor and Pelton of Conshohocken, Montgomery County, the butter sculpture creation begins in mid-December and is finished in time for the Farm Show. Victor also creates sculptures using chocolate and cheese.
Butter not wasted
At the close of the show, the butter, which was donated by Land O’ Lakes in Carlisle, Cumberland County, will be given to a Juniata County dairy farm. The butter will be put through a methane digester, where it will be converted into renewable energy for the farm.
Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program are funded by dairy farmers to promote milk and dairy products.
If you go
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the nation’s largest indoor agricultural event, featuring 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, and 300 commercial exhibitors. The show runs Jan. 9-15 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and parking is $15 in Farm Show lots. The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is accessible from Interstate 81.
Related stories:
- Butter sculpture highlights effort to bring milk to at-risk Pennsylvania residents, Jan. 8, 2015
- Butter sculpture celebrates Farm Show milkshake, Jan. 3, 2014
