Enjoyable and meals with a wider function

The 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show is historical past, however its many classes will dwell on.

The present’s eight days of occasions, vendor exhibitions and meals gross sales drew an estimated 500,000 guests, state officers mentioned, and spotlighted Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture trade.

For WVIA News, it was a possibility to indicate audiences in our protection space what the annual occasion means for communities right here at house and statewide.

Members of the information workforce visited the present in Harrisburg final week to report on the richness of the present because it occurred — together with dwell radio broadcasts — but additionally with a watch towards researching bigger developments in Keystone State agriculture, from potatoes to rodeo using and chook flu.

We have been rolling out these tales over the previous week, and there are extra to return. Here are a number of the highlights, a gallery of pictures and extra.

High-ranking guests

The Farm Show options almost 5,000 animals, 12,000-plus aggressive entries from greater than 4,600 rivals, plus greater than 250 business reveals, and lots of of instructional and entertaining occasions, state officers say.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was within the complicated final Thursday when WVIA News visited, however so was U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. She did a whirlwind tour of the present accompanied by some members of the state’s Republican congressional delegation.

Russell Redding mentioned he had a “nice visit” with Rollins they usually shared frequent factors of concern, together with avian influenza, however that he additionally pushed her on some considerations farmers have dropped at him over tariffs.

“She said, ‘What’s on the minds of farmers?’” he started.

“And I said, ‘Listen, this tariff issue weighs large. And it shows up in different ways.’” Redding mentioned.

Haley O’Brien

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WVIA News

Pennsylvania’s tremendous spuds

One of the state’s hottest and longest cultivated crops has helped flip Pennsylania into “the snack food capital of the world,” as Nathan Tallman put it.

Tallman is CEO of the Pennsylvania Co-operative Potato Growers, a nonprofit that connects potato growers with patrons.

There are greater than two dozen potato farms in Pennsylvania, he mentioned, and lots of of sorts are grown throughout the state.

The cooperative works with 5 potato chip processors, together with UTZ, Herr’s and Middleswarth, he added.

For those that need to style the state’s spuds throughout the farm present, the cooperative serves up french fries, pierogi and its signature providing, potato donuts.

Birds make a comeback

While Pennsylvania has not totally recovered from the 2022 avian flu outbreak, agricultural consultants say it is time to let the poultry trade unfold its wings.

From fluffy Silkie chickens to ‘mini’ Bantam chickens — birds that are usually 1 / 4 to half the dimensions of a typical rooster — the Pennsylvania Farm Show welcomed a wide range of poultry, even turkeys, to Harrisburg final week.

There are not any current confirmed instances of chook flu in Northeast or Central Pennsylvania, in keeping with the United States Department of Agriculture. As of Jan. 21, the state confirmed one affected business flock and three yard flocks for a complete of 35,540 birds.

Redding listed chook flu as one of many state’s prime priorities for 2026.

He mentioned his division will proceed to fund diagnostic and baseline testing, in addition to work with the state’s recreation fee to trace instances amongst wild birds. He additionally mentioned Pennsylvania’s dedication to biosecurity and different measures limits the unfold of the virus.

“We’ve been fortunate that the biosecurity … we’ve worked at for the last two and a half years is working. That’s proven to be really important … We’re doing the right things,” Redding mentioned.

Rodeo expertise for youngsters with particular wants

Before dozens of cowboys and cowgirls competed within the First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo on the Pennsylvania Farm Show, they shared their ardour with youngsters who’ve particular wants throughout the Exceptional Rodeo.

“It’s something that everybody loves to do. It’s very fulfilling for the contestants, everybody involved,” mentioned Becky Clanton, one of many rodeo organizers. “We have a lot of kids that come back year after year. Even as they’re more adults, they still love to come.”

Serenity Oakley made a decent loop across the barrel, holding her horse tight.

The 8-year-old from Harrisburg beamed as an expert rodeo cowboy confirmed her the best way to barrel race and cord a dummy calf.

“I just tried, tried my best,” she mentioned.

Serenity’s mother, Cari Oakley, watched as her daughter tried every occasion.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for special needs kids to get out there and interact and be themselves,” Oakley mentioned.

Additional protection and matters

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