00:01 - Well good morning everybody, and happy New Year to.

00:04 - Welcome to the 109th Pennsylvani Farm Show.

00:07 - We are always honored to have yo

00:10 - and to host this state sponsored show for Pennsylvania.

00:13 - Farm show is an amazing event.

00:16 - I say it every year.

00:17 - That is probably the only place we get a chance to use all five.

00:22 - We get a chance to touch

00:25 - here.

00:26 - We've got the site, we get the taste and we get the.

00:30 - I have a shirt.

00:31 - Well, should have a shirt made sometime that says Farm Sho.

00:35 - It lingers right?

00:37 - But the point is, you get a chan all of those, senses, which is g.

00:42 - It's 24 acres of the classroom.

00:45 - It's an amazing place.

00:47 - Full of people, a things that sh the diversity of agriculture,

00:51 - our strength, and certainly a chance to see th.

00:55 - This year's theme is Powering Pennsylvania.

01:00 - The theme is a testament

01:02 - to the power of agriculture

01:04 - in every region of Pennsylvania.

01:08 - It's the engine that powers

01:10 - our economy, builds our communit

01:14 - and drives the quality of life in the state.

01:17 - It embodies the ingenuity, the collaborative spirit

01:21 - of Pennsylvania agriculture.

01:24 - This theme celebrates the food

01:27 - and the ag products that nourish us in our communiti

01:31 - it is most important to me

01:34 - to recognize the family and the

01:37 - who make that possible.

01:41 - On our tour.

01:42 - We'll get a chance to see some of the amazing peopl.

01:45 - They are farmers and chefs.

01:48 - They are researchers and teacher.

01:51 - They're foresters.

01:53 - They're old.

01:54 - They're young.

01:56 - They're urban.

01:57 - They're rural.

01:59 - They are first generation and multi-generation.

02:02 - They're men and women.

02:04 - You'll get a chance to see that.

02:06 - But all of them share, regardles of who they are and where they c.

02:11 - They share a common denominator.

02:14 - They are all part of Pennsylvani

02:17 - agriculture in helping to power.

02:21 - Among the many things that we wi.

02:24 - We will recognize the innovation.

02:26 - It is a central theme to powering Pennsylvania.

02:30 - We'll see some of the highlights of innova.

02:34 - We have very deep roots in innov.

02:37 - You can argue that is why we wer

02:39 - 199 years on.

02:42 - You'll see it in the legacy prog.

02:45 - And you'll also see it in some o new innovation Grants program, a.

02:51 - But speaking of people who make possible,

02:55 - this complex is full of amazing and talented people.

03:00 - There are folks here, volunteers and staff,

03:03 - and some would say we have a job description

03:06 - in this Commonwealth and in this complex called a mag.

03:10 - You'll see them in the magic that they work this week.

03:13 - But all of that is led by a very executive director

03:17 - of the Farm Show complex, Sharon

03:21 - Sharon, please come forward and what is new

03:24 - and welcome, folks for the 2025.

03:27 - Thank you sir.

03:31 - Good morning.

03:32 - I, like the secretary said welco to the 109th Pennsylvania Farm S

03:37 - I'm Sharon Meyers, the executive.

03:39 - Extremely honored and proud to b.

03:41 - Proud of the team.

03:43 - Many of you are wondering why January 4th.

03:46 - I can assure you, this is the earliest farm show e.

03:49 - Is it will drop a week next week our next year,

03:52 - and you'll actually maybe get to spend a little time with your.

03:55 - So, we're really excited about t

03:57 - the farm show team is nothing short of amazing,

04:01 - and I'm very, very proud to be here, working w

04:05 - they worked, New Year's Day, New year's Eve, to make this all

04:09 - we have thousands of volunteers.

04:11 - Hundreds of committee members. A

04:15 - with their cooperation and colla that's how this is all possible.

04:19 - So just a real quick rundown on what's new this year.

04:22 - You will see a little bit later on our tour.

04:24 - We do have some mini cattle, that are going to be here this y.

04:28 - So you can kiss a cow.

04:30 - It's been very popular. Will be very popular.

04:32 - We expect it to be much like the cuddling that we added a few yea

04:36 - the mini cows are certainly going to be loved

04:39 - they'll be located in the East H

04:42 - we're also really happy to have a Women in AG series thi.

04:45 - On Thursday, we'll be hosting doctor Temple G

04:49 - very well known professor.

04:51 - Author.

04:52 - It's a there's a great movie out about.

04:55 - And, we're really excited to hav start a new series for us of wom.

04:59 - And, will be extending that program beyond her lecture

05:03 - on Thursday morning to incorpora some other organizations as well

05:07 - and then, you expect we'll expec more in 2026 on that series as w

05:12 - everyone's always excited about.

05:14 - Some of you will get to taste th a little bit later.

05:16 - As you're aware,

05:17 - we do have the mint milkshake th which was announced a couple wee

05:21 - I can tell you firsthand it's delicious and you'll love it.

05:24 - The honey ice cream is always a favorite of mine.

05:28 - They're great.

05:28 - We also have baby port a bell a stuffed with cheddar and bacon.

05:33 - So if you're a mushroom fan, you'll definitely want to check.

05:36 - And then the potato growers have the loaded French fries and load

05:39 - potato cakes this year.

05:41 - They, added the loaded baked pot a number of years ago.

05:44 - So this year, they're going to I

05:46 - your French fries and your and your potato cakes a

05:49 - also in the food court.

05:50 - We will have brussel sprouts thi.

05:53 - One of my favorites.

05:54 - They're actually served with a nice feta cheese and some.

05:58 - So a little bit of health and a of of deliciousness all in one.

06:03 - Check them out.

06:04 - Our junior committee is a commit that we added a number of years.

06:08 - It's just a fantastic group of young adults.

06:11 - Late high school. College.

06:14 - And they really.

06:16 - You'll see them doing everything from running our stages this yea.

06:20 - We asked them to run the Lancast farming stage in the giant Expo

06:24 - as well as our new sponsor, CCU

06:27 - will be on the stage and family living this year.

06:30 - The junior committee has over 200 education

06:33 - events loaded on those two stage so be sure to come check them ou

06:36 - they've just done a phenomenal, phenomenal job.

06:39 - We have the usual over 275 commercial vendors, so come.

06:43 - There's something for you to buy.

06:45 - The junior committee is actually to have an apparel stand this ye.

06:47 - You can get an official Farm Sho

06:50 - 12,000 competitive events,

06:52 - over 4000 animals and, back by popular demand.

06:56 - Again, we'll have the goat snuggling the butterfly experien

06:59 - fishing rabbit petting zoo.

07:02 - The culinary connection is sure to not disappoint.

07:05 - You can get some tasty samples down there, as well as really le

07:09 - about some of the really great P

07:11 - preferred foods that we have here in Pennsylvani.

07:14 - Parking is the same.

07:15 - $15 rodeo. Tickets are still ava.

07:18 - The show runs Saturday.

07:20 - Tomorrow. Well, tomorrow I apologize. Tomorrow.

07:22 - Food court opens at noon, runs until 9 p.m.

07:25 - Saturday.

07:25 - The official show opens at 8 a.m until 9 p.m.

07:29 - Sunday, 8 a.m.

07:30 - until 8 p.m., Monday through Friday is eight until ni

07:35 - and the last Saturday is eight u

07:38 - we will have the shuttles runnin from all of our parking lots aga.

07:41 - Our neighbors like to offer parking as well.

07:45 - And, for more details, farm show.

07:48 - And, any other questions? Certai.

07:51 - Reach out to our office.

07:52 - We are here.

07:53 - Long days. To answer all questio.

07:56 - Send us emails.

07:57 - We are checking Facebook as well

07:59 - with our press team.

08:00 - And we just really, really are e to host the 109th Pennsylvania F

08:04 - where the Farm Show team

08:05 - will power the minds of Pennsylv with all things agriculture.

08:09 - So thank you very much. And I'm now going to turn it ove.

08:12 - The moment you've all been waiting for, Dina Dibble.

08:21 - Is. Thank you.

08:26 - Sharon. Good morning.

08:27 - I'm Diana Dibble, vice president of integrated

08:29 - marketing communications for American Dairy Association n.

08:33 - On behalf of our organization, the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion

08:37 - the Department of Agriculture an the Dairy Farm Families of Penns.

08:41 - Welcome to the official unveilin of the 2025 Butter Sculpture.

08:46 - This is the 34th butter sculptur that will entertain

08:49 - the crowds here at the Pennsylva Show.

08:52 - In a moment, you'll hear from ou guests joining me here at the po.

08:55 - Also in the crowd, I'd like to a John Christman, CEO of American.

09:00 - Association northeast from the land O'Lakes Carlisle p

09:04 - Amanda Rice, Justin Potts and Wa.

09:07 - Cool. Kerry.

09:08 - Spicer, Chad. Fogel. Sanger.

09:11 - Lori. Furman, Joe.

09:12 - Parson, Dina Black, and Holly Wa.

09:16 - Thank you, land O'Lakes, for your donation of butter.

09:19 - The Pennsylvania Dairy princesse Princess Charlotte Wallace and a

09:23 - say, the interstate and Morgan L

09:26 - representatives from four State and future Farmers

09:29 - of America state officers and the center for Dairy Excelle.

09:33 - I'd also like to thank our partn at the Pennsylvania Department

09:36 - of Agriculture and the Farm Show here on site for all of their su.

09:41 - It is now my pleasure to introdu Hershey.

09:44 - Casey is a fourth generation

09:45 - dairy farmer at our George Farms in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

09:49 - She and her family are caretaker dairy

09:52 - cows, 550 acres, and they also h

09:55 - a methane digester on the farm that Casey will share more about.

09:59 - They are excited to be opening a creamery,

10:02 - our Joy Creamery, in early 2025.

10:05 - Casey.

10:11 - Good morning everyone.

10:12 - I want to quickly introduce my s

10:13 - Wyatt, who's very excited to be as well.

10:16 - The theme of this year's PA Farm Show is Powering Pennsyl

10:20 - and I couldn't be more excited to stand here today

10:22 - on behalf of the incredible,

10:23 - incredible dairy farmers who make this Commonwealth thriv.

10:27 - Dairy farming isn't just a job.

10:28 - It's a passion, a way of life, and a commitment to something bi

10:31 - than ourselves.

10:32 - It's about nourishing families, driving innovation and building

10:35 - a brighter, more sustainable future for our communities.

10:39 - Today, we're here to unveil some truly spectacular an all inspiri

10:44 - sculpture crafted by the extra or talented Jim Victor and Marie Pe.

10:49 - Using locally made butter from dairy farmers just like us.

10:52 - This sculpture isn't just an art a celebration of everything we s.

10:56 - And as a third generation dairy on our 800 cow farm in Chester C

11:01 - it fills me with pride and joy to share this story with all of.

11:05 - At R.J.

11:05 - farms, we pour our hearts into e that we do.

11:08 - Our mission is to provide wholes nutritious food to our neighbors.

11:11 - But it doesn't just stop there.

11:13 - We're deeply committed to progress and sustainability,

11:16 - and we're always looking for way to make a difference.

11:18 - One example.

11:19 - We've embraced cutting edge tech

11:21 - like a methane digester to recyc and food waste.

11:25 - This incredible system generates clean electricity.

11:28 - The power our farm and even cont to the local power grid.

11:31 - And I think that's just pretty c.

11:34 - But what's even more remarkable is how much our cals give back.

11:37 - They aren't just producers of delicious, nutrient rich milk.

11:41 - They're nature's superheroes.

11:42 - Every single day, our cows help up cycle food scraps, enrich

11:46 - the soil, reduce carbon footprin and contribute to renewable ener.

11:50 - It's truly incredible to think about how much these an

11:53 - help to power Pennsylvania.

11:56 - This year's butter

11:57 - sculpture brings that story to I in the most creative and beaut if.

12:01 - And before we unveil it, I want to take a moment to expre

12:04 - my heartfelt gratitude.

12:07 - To Jen Vector and Ray Pelton.

12:09 - Your artistry and dedication are short of extraordinary.

12:12 - Thank you for turning butter

12:14 - into a masterpiece that captures the spirit of dairy farming so p.

12:18 - To land O'Lakes, thank you for donating the thousand pounds

12:22 - that made this sculpture possibl.

12:23 - Your continued support means the world to us.

12:26 - And finally, to my fellow

12:27 - Pennsylvania dairy farmers, you are the heroes to this story.

12:31 - Your hard work, determination, and unwavering commitment to fee

12:35 - communities and for protecting o inspire me every single day.

12:40 - Dairy farmers are proud to play a vital role in Pennsylvania Sto

12:43 - providing nourishment, driving I and leading the way to sustainab.

12:47 - Thank you for giving me this honor of representing you h.

12:51 - Thank you.

12:52 - Diana.

12:52 - Back to you.

12:57 - Thank you.

12:57 - Casey and Wyatt.

12:59 - More than 1,000 pounds of butter were used for this year's sculpt.

13:02 - And here to talk about their wor included 14 days inside the butt

13:07 - are the talented sculptors, Jim Victor and Marie Pelton

13:10 - of Montgomery County.

13:16 - Yeah.

13:16 - Thank you, Diana.

13:17 - And also, I want to thank the pe at the Farm

13:20 - show, security office, which was

13:24 - doing all kinds of things for us.

13:27 - And also, Mac and J.R., their guys are great.

13:31 - They really did a lot for us.

13:33 - And I also want to thank Diane.

13:34 - And, of course, in the American Association, northeast and,

13:39 - Secretary Redding, for their sup

13:43 - bringing this about

13:46 - the butter sculpture always got a lot of its,

13:48 - attention for its entertainment.

13:51 - But it also tells an important s about agriculture

13:55 - and pays tribute to the hard work dairy farmers of Pennsylvania.

13:59 - This art that we have created sh an important spotlight on dairy

14:04 - and the dairy products produced right here on the Commo.

14:08 - This is very meaningful for us, as we pride ourselves

14:11 - on bringing a theme to life in the form of a sculpture.

14:16 - The sculpture was created

14:17 - from 1,000 pounds of butter donated by land O'Lakes.

14:20 - Thanks to their generosity, we'r to create this beautiful centerp

14:24 - that would be viewed by thousand Show visitors.

14:27 - And after the Farm Show, the butter won't go to waste.

14:29 - It will be recycled into renewab on a dairy farm.

14:33 - It's an honor for us to be part of this tradition eve.

14:36 - And we couldn't do it without th of the Pennsylvania Department

14:40 - of Agriculture.

14:41 - The people right here in the Far complex, the American dairy Asso

14:45 - northeast, and the Pennsylvania Promotion Program.

14:49 - So thank you very much. And we'll turn it back to Diana.

14:56 - Thank you, Jim and Marie.

14:58 - Now, please welcome the 26th Secretary of Ag

15:01 - for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Russell Redding.

15:04 - Thank you.

15:07 - Hey, Diana. Thank you.

15:08 - And again, good morning and welc to the 109th Pennsylvania Farm S.

15:12 - I'm always sort of tempted to go script.

15:15 - Particularly after you hear Casey and Wyatt

15:19 - and you see them and you hear th and, certainly to Mary and Jim,

15:24 - just the level of humility, that's here and the passion that.

15:28 - So, just let me say thank you to them for sure.

15:31 - For what they do.

15:32 - Certainly to, Maryland and Duane who are here as well.

15:37 - I can see you

15:38 - and you can be proud of another and another generation being her

15:43 - what a good feeling, right?

15:44 - We spent a lot of time in this b talking about the future.

15:47 - And, to see them here and in this business,

15:50 - that's important to the Commonwe powering us forward.

15:54 - It's also very gratifying.

15:55 - So thank you for what you do.

15:57 - As I look around, certainly our friends from land.

15:59 - Thank you.

16:01 - It's always good to be with you.

16:03 - A critical part of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania agriculture is our.

16:07 - A land O'Lakes cooperative key p

16:10 - we have our American Dairy Assoc northeast

16:14 - who's here to help promote the p of Pennsylvania that we produce

16:18 - the consuming public and certainly to our dairy royal

16:22 - I want to say thank you for, spending a year of your life,

16:26 - promoting agriculture in the dai industry of Pennsylvania.

16:29 - And we're fortunate in Pennsylva to have a deputy secretary,

16:33 - Lisa Graybill, with us, in the d

16:36 - as a dairy producer in Lancaster who knows this business very wel

16:41 - keeps us sort of true to our dai

16:44 - in the department. Lisa, thank you for what you do.

16:47 - And then final, it's to say than

16:49 - to the 5000 dairy producers in Pennsylvania.

16:53 - At the end of the day.

16:56 - We can stand

16:56 - here and talk about butter, and we can talk about,

16:59 - all the good things of Pennsylva the Pennsylvania dairy.

17:03 - But ultimately, that is about so in the business who wants to inv

17:07 - in the business and stay in the and see a future in this busines.

17:11 - Each of the 5000 dairy producers are critical to

17:15 - of Pennsylvania, and certainly to the economy of Pennsylvania,

17:19 - As I know that, our theme is Powering Pennsylvan

17:23 - we think, dairy is undeniably pa of that powering of Pennsylvania

17:29 - it is part of our story.

17:30 - You heard that, from Casey, and at our Joy Farms in Chester Coun

17:36 - we. When we're done at the end o farm show, we'll have this butte

17:41 - sculpture, go off to be part of for farms and Juliana County

17:46 - who have a digester as well, just to sort of make these conne

17:50 - that as we tell the story about Pennsylvania agriculture

17:54 - and what we're powering, it is powering our public.

17:58 - It is powering the state's econo It's powering.

18:00 - And, a really critical part of our daily existence through f.

18:06 - And we see that in the administr.

18:08 - We're proud of the work that's b and really appreciate, particula

18:12 - the producers who take take the.

18:16 - They have the science, they take the innovation, and th

18:20 - these amazing products and we'll and taste those certainly this w.

18:25 - The key to that is innovation.

18:28 - In in dairy, it's energy generat as we've heard here from Casey.

18:32 - That's innovation in the work for from 60,000 folks

18:36 - who are employed in the dairy business of Pennsyl.

18:39 - We saw it a couple of weeks ago in the central farm,

18:42 - who are looking at innovation.

18:43 - From an apprentice program to bring in a new generation.

18:48 - We see it in dairy products.

18:50 - Innovation in animal health and animal care.

18:53 - Critical to the success of Penns and Pennsylvania agriculture.

18:57 - We see at the University of Penn and Penn State University look in

19:01 - nutrition, both human nutrition, and animal nutrition, health mon

19:06 - systems, genetics, and certainly innovation in farm productivity.

19:12 - We're proud of the work that we.

19:15 - It is part of the story that we the innovation that's been adopt.

19:19 - But this is a story that you can tell almost any yea

19:22 - because we're here to celebrate

19:25 - of progress, of adoption of inno.

19:29 - But we are really, really proud to have you here to be part of t

19:32 - innovation is happening across Pennsylvania

19:35 - and we as, department and certainly as administration

19:39 - will do everything we can to pow Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania ag.

19:43 - So thank you for being here.

19:45 - I'm honored to help, raise the c

19:48 - on the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Sh.

19:52 - Butter sculpture. Diana, back to.

19:57 - Hey, I remind it's it's just abo

20:02 - Jimmy, Maria and Casey, and we'r.

20:06 - Buddy.

20:06 - Up front right here.

20:08 - This work, I'll tell you when yo.

20:12 - No questions for just one.

20:14 - Whenever you're ready.

20:15 - Topic top button up.

20:17 - Okay. Of.

20:22 - There you go.

20:23 - Here we go.

20:33 - That's it for today.

20:36 - This year's sculpture is from Mo to Marvel.

20:39 - Dairy cows power.

20:41 - Pennsylvania dairy cows step into the spotlig

20:44 - as nature's superheroes, producing wholesome milk

20:48 - while helping to power Pennsylva communities with renewable energ.

20:52 - The sculpture features a life si dairy cow alongside a methane di

20:57 - a powerful renewable energy syst set against a Pennsylvania

21:02 - farm backdrop with a vibrant cit also nestled in the distance.

21:06 - The sculpture reflects the theme 2025 PA Farm Show Powering Penns

21:12 - and celebrates the dairy industr traditions and environmental inn.

21:18 - Thank you for attending the unve of the 2025 Pennsylvania.

21:21 - Farm Show Butter Sculpture.

21:25 - Also. Who?

22:00 - You. Do.