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HELLAM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (Erie News Now) – Jan 7, 2023 will mark the beginning of the 107th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show. Even though the show may be over 100 days away, preparation efforts start well in advance.
“Planning started before the last farm show ended, lots of feedback on where we can improve, what we could change,” said Sharon Myers, Executive Director of the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center.
A major component in that preparation is deciding a theme. Each year, a theme for the show is determined to symbolize the important contributions of Pennsylvania’s vast agriculture industry. Last year’s theme: “Harvesting More” represented the resiliency of the agriculture industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’m pleased to announce that the 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show theme is “Rooted in Progress,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding at Flinchbaugh’s Orchard and Farm Market in York County this morning. “With Covid and Ukraine, and interruption and disruption, all the while, the food system has continued to deliver, it hasn’t disappointed us. I think that’s progress. And to have all of that rooted around the work that we do and we celebrate as part of an industry in the state is really a good feeling and we want to put that on display,” Redding added.
Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry makes up over 500,000 jobs across the state, many of which include the next generation of farmers, who are another key component to this year’s theme.
“The progress piece was really a chance for us to talk about both the resiliency of the industry and what’s happened over the last couple of years and disruptions in our food system, the challenges that we’ve had both as a nation and a commonwealth around food and ag,” said Redding. “It gives us a chance to talk about the future and supporting young and beginning farmers. We lead the nation in the number of young farmers under the age of 35 in the nation,” Redding added.
The PA Farm Show has attracted thousands from across the commonwealth, and beyond, for over 100 years. This year is expected to be no different. Officials say there are several new things to keep in mind ahead of this year’s theme rooted in progress.
“We have no doubt that they’re not going to disappoint this year with what you’re going to see when you get there,” said Myers.
Attendees can expect a wide variety of new exhibits, food, animals and even goat yoga. However, unlike previous years, cash parking will not be an option.
“We too at Farm Show are going cashless with our parking this year. The parking fee for Farm Show will remain at $15, but we need you to bring your Visa or MasterCard,” said Myers.
Officials say cashless parking will create a streamlined process for staff and the thousands of attendees expected to make the trip. If you don’t have a debit or credit card, officials recommend purchasing a Visa gift card.
The 2023 PA Farm Show will run from Jan 7 – Jan 14 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
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