The 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show wrapped up Saturday, January 10, concluding eight electrifying days highlighting the Pennsylvanians who make up the state’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry — the people who feed and clothe our families, fuel our economy, and get stuff done for Pennsylvania.
For the third consecutive year, since before his inauguration, Governor Josh Shapiro addressed 800-plus ag industry innovators and policy makers during Wednesday’s Public Officials Day luncheon. He acknowledged agriculture’s central role in Pennsylvania’s economy and future prosperity. From promises made at the 2023 Farm Show, to two years of progress fed by unprecedented investment. He recounted a roster of promises made and promises kept in the two years since, outlining how the Shapiro Administration has gotten stuff done for the people who deliver for Pennsylvania.
“In my Administration, we know that economic growth and opportunity flow right through our farmlands and it's a way of life we are working to protect for countless Pennsylvanians," said Governor Shapiro. "That's why agriculture is at the heart of our economic development strategy, and a key focus of the bipartisan budgets I've signed as Governor. From supporting our farmers to expanding access to fresh, local food, we are committed to strengthening this vital industry and preserving it for generations to come."
Secretary Redding met with countless influential leaders in agriculture and government throughout the 2025 Farm Show, as well as many of the hundreds of thousands of consumers whose local purchasing power supports the industry across the state.
“’Powering Pennsylvania’ was the perfect theme to demonstrate the powerful legacy and potential in Pennsylvania’s ag industry, and the promise agriculture holds for our future prosperity,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “This Farm Show has inspired opportunities that will enrich our lives, our businesses, and our communities throughout 2025 and beyond. When we ring in 2026 at the 110th PA Farm Show, I am confident that the investments the Shapiro Administration makes as his economic development strategy keeps unfolding will support our shared success.”
Here are just a few glimpses of the milestones reached, and the powerful people in the spotlight in showrings, behind the food counters, and behind the scenes around every corner, powering the proud legacy and the productive future of Pennsylvania agriculture.
Providing Powerful Growth Opportunities for Agriculture Businesses, Entrepreneurs and Career-changers
- The Shapiro Administration has made Pennsylvania's nation-leading agricultural sector more powerful by focusing on key initiatives — including the $10 million Agriculture Innovation Grant Program — as well as sustainable farming practices, farmland preservation, avian influenza mitigation, and organic farming.
- Delegations from 26 countries networked with Pennsylvania agricultural trade leaders, seeking opportunities to buy Pennsylvania products, and forging partnerships that will strengthen agriculture businesses and feed our economy in the future.
- Innovative, influential women of all ages, career stages and specialties took stage on January 9, as Dr. Temple Grandin, innovative animal science professor and best-selling author, brought her unique perspective on problem-solving and understanding animals to a packed sale arena. Dr. Grandin kicked off a half-day series of conversations, interactive demonstrations of farming tools to assist people with disabilities, marketing expertise for aspiring entrepreneurs, and networking opportunities celebrating some of the powerful women who are leading Pennsylvania agriculture today and shaping the industry tomorrow.
Giving Students of All Ages Tools to Succeed in a Career in Ag
- The Shapiro Administration has made Pennsylvania's nation-leading agricultural sector more powerful by focusing on key initiatives — including the $10 million Agriculture Innovation Grant Program — as well as sustainable farming practices, farmland preservation, avian influenza mitigation, and organic farming.
- Delegations from 26 countries networked with Pennsylvania agricultural trade leaders, seeking opportunities to buy Pennsylvania products, and forging partnerships that will strengthen agriculture businesses and feed our economy in the future.
- Innovative, influential women of all ages, career stages and specialties took stage on January 9, as Dr. Temple Grandin, innovative animal science professor and best-selling author, brought her unique perspective on problem-solving and understanding animals to a packed sale arena. Dr. Grandin kicked off a half-day series of conversations, interactive demonstrations of farming tools to assist people with disabilities, marketing expertise for aspiring entrepreneurs, and networking opportunities celebrating some of the powerful women who are leading Pennsylvania agriculture today and shaping the industry tomorrow.
Giving Students of All Ages Tools to Succeed in a Career in Ag
- A portion of the more than $36,858 raised at the Sale of Champions, and Jr. Market Livestock Sale will fund Farm Show Scholarship Foundation scholarships in 2025.
- Twelve Grand and Reserve Champion livestock, plus the Supreme Champion Master Showman’s lamb from Jr. Market Livestock shows were auctioned off, followed by more than 400 market animals shown by juniors. Proceeds fund agriculture scholarships and help fund the juniors' livestock purchases for the coming year.
- Some buyers donated their purchased animals to the Central Pennsylvania Foodbank to provide healthy protein sources for families in need in foodbanks throughout the state. Forty-six turkeys from the new Market Turkey competition were donated to the foodbank.
- The PA Farm Show Scholarship Foundation awarded 24 college students from 15 PA counties with $120,000 in scholarships from funds raised at the 2024 Farm Show, reaching its $2 million milestone in scholarships funded since the foundation’s inception. The Bill and Betsy Macauley Foundation contributed an additional $1,000 per student. Funding connects recipients — many of whom grew up competing in Farm Show as FFA or 4-H students — with support for career training in agriculture fields from textile science to agronomy to veterinary medicine.
- At Monday’s FFA Mid-Winter Convention, an arena packed with family members, educators and friends applauded two new FFA chapters, and a Pennsylvania record of 1,369 students who earned their blue FFA jackets for the first time. Another 511 student leaders were presented with Keystone Degrees — the capstone of their preparation for careers in science, business and technology — connecting them to opportunities to become the skilled, innovative workforce that feeds our families and our economy tomorrow.
- Pennsylvania awarded $300,000 in PA Farm Bill grants to connect military veterans to opportunities in farming, and $500,000 in PA Farm Bill grants to prepare the next generation for agriculture careers, connecting students to opportunities and resources for future success.
Powering Local Economies by Promoting Quality Pennsylvania Products
- Seventeen calves from four family-run dairy farms were born at the Calving Corner, connecting crowds daily with the miracle of birth. A host of volunteers demonstrated the hard work, passion, and care that goes into putting wholesome PA dairy products on our tables day-in and day-out – just one vivid example of the PA farm families who connected throughout the show with the families who consume their products.
- At the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection stage, 69 cooking competitions and demonstrations featured master chefs from top Pennsylvania restaurants, TV culinary shows, professional sports teams, and military branches, along with guests including First Lady Lori Shapiro, pint-sized novices, nutritionists, military veteran farmers, beekeepers, and culinary students. Events featured Pennsylvania farms, wineries, breweries, cideries, and creameries, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the PA Preferred program connecting consumers to Pennsylvania agricultural products. Visitors enjoyed samples prepared under the direction of master chefs by from Pennsylvania culinary schools, and took home recipes to whip up PA-sourced culinary masterpieces at home.
- The 1,000-pound butter sculpture unveiled to kick off the 2025 Farm Show was dismantled Sunday, January 12 by 4-H members, recycled in a methane digester, and converted to renewable energy to power Reinford Farms’ Juniata County dairy farm, connecting their community to a sustainable future.
- With sales figures still rolling in, the commodity-producer organizations hosting food court booths during the show will continue to empower their members to reach consumers who buy their products and feed Pennsylvania’s economy. Proceeds will fund professional development for their members, scholarships for future members, and beef up the bottom lines of Pennsylvania producers.
- In the Farm Show Farmers Market, 200 bushels of apples and 2,500 gallons of apple cider, 4,500 dozen cider donuts, 1,800 bags of cotton candy and so many more Pennsylvania proud treats delighted guests throughout the show.
Source : pa.gov