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Punxsutawney Phil Preps for Big Day

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In just a few weeks, Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog will make his 125th winter weather prognostication.  We Pennsylvanians have been celebrating Groundhog Day for 127 years now, but Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President Bill Deeley says they took two years off during World War II.  “We just didn’t want to aid and abed the enemy in a weather forecast,” he says. 

There will be no such disruptions this February 2nd on Gobbler’s Knob when Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow and checks for his shadow.  If he sees it, Phil predicts six more weeks of winter.  No shadow means an early spring.  Of course the furry little marmot’s forecasts have always been 100% accurate, according to Deeley. 

Since Groundhog Day falls on a weekend this year, organizers are expecting record crowds in Punxsutawney.  That means 30,000 plus could be swarming this small town for some big fun.  If you go, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes because Gobbler’s Knob will be frigid in the pre-dawn. 

We caught up with Phil, Deeley and a whole gang of handlers at this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show.  What does the groundhog do when he’s not prognosticating?  “He sleeps, eats and gets his picture taken,” Deeley says with a smile.  The Farm Show is just one of many events Phil attends throughout the year.

US Agriculture Secretary Visits PA Farm Show

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While touring the 97th Pennsylvania Farm Show, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called it an impressive display of what’s grown and produced in the commonwealth.  “It’s great to – in a sense – be back home, having been born and raised in Pittsburgh,” adds the former Governor of Iowa. 

TomVilsack

US Ag. Secretary addressed the Farm Bill at the PA Farm Show.

The rural economy doesn’t always get the appreciation it deserves, and Vilsack wants to be proactive about the opportunities that exist.  He notes that half of the rural counties in the nation lost population in the last decade, according to the US Census. 

The first step in stopping the drain, Vilsack says, is passing a new, 5-year Farm Bill.  He calls it an imperative action in 2013.  “Everybody in the country has a stake in this five year program,” Vilsack explains. “It is about our food system, it’s about our water resources, it’s about our fuel & energy resources, it’s about jobs.” 

In PA, one in every seven jobs is related to agriculture. 

The Farm Bill that Vilsack envisions will start with a strong safety net for producers.  “You can be absolutely the best farmer in the world.  You can do everything right… no water, no rain, no crop.”  He also wants it to include flexible conservation and export programs, as well as an investment in the research that opens up new markets for farmers.

Later Friday, the US Department of Agriculture will announce $25-million dollars in research grants through a biomass development initiative.  Vilsack says $6.8-million of that will be invested in the Keystone State.

Cattle Shine at PA Farm Show

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Many of the cows at the Pennsylvania Farm Show will never make it to market, instead they’re more than happy to live out their days on the farm.  Such is the case with Zinny, a Red Angus from Slate Wind Farm in Franklin County.  She won’t be a yearling until March, but Zinny has already been named the Grand Champion in the Farm Show’s “All Other Purebreds” class. 

Exhibitor Kevin Stahl tells us Zinny gets a daily rinse, blow dry and exercise.  “Working with the hair is the big thing,” he explains. 

In the ring Stahl works hard to set Zinny’s hooves just so, in order to look good for the judges.  He’s worked with her enough on the farm to know exactly which angles suit his 800-pound heifer best.       

The judges examine the cows’ composition to pick the winner.  “Their chest, their back… do they have a good undercarriage?  Are their legs and feet in good shape? All those things that you look at in an athlete or something, in terms of what kind of shape they’re in,” says beef cattle judge Dave Miller who came to the Farm Show from West Virginia to ensure an unbiased evaluation. 

Miller, a Texas Longhorn judge, reveals that a cow’s horns don’t factor into his critique all that much. “You can’t eat horns,” he says with a chuckle.

There are only a few more days to check out the 97th Pennsylvania Farm Show.  The beef cows have since moved out to make way for the dairy cows.  The dairy judging will take place Friday morning in the Equine Arena.

PA Preferred

Farm Show Epitomizes “PA Preferred”

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Walking through the 97th Pennsylvania Farm Show, it’s hard not to notice the vivid blue and gold signs boasting “PA Preferred” products.  From blue ribbon-winning veggies to the pork barbeque being served up for lunch, PA Preferred products are all around you.  When you see that logo, you know you’re purchasing a product that was made or grown in the Keystone State.    

“When you purchase local products, you’re helping strengthen our economy,” explains PA Preferred Coordinator Bryan Keister.  “If every household in Pennsylvania spent $10-dollars a week on PA Preferred products, $2.9-billion dollars could be reinvested back into the state.” 

First Lady Susan Corbett – a familiar face at the Farm Show this week – was slicing up some Pennsylvania mushrooms on the Culinary Connection stage, as she and Governor’s Residence Chef Barry Crumlich prepared tarts at one of 50-different cooking demonstrations on the schedule.  “I strongly feel that it’s best if we buy fresh, buy local,” Crumlich told the Farm Show visitors who crowded in for a better view.

Each day is themed at the popular PA Preferred Culinary Connection, located in the Farm Show’s Main Hall.  Thursday is Apple Day, as PA is the fourth biggest apple producing state (439-million pounds), and Friday is 3-Every Day of Dairy, as PA ranks fifth in the nation for milk production (1.2-billion gallons).

Heard it Through the Grapevine… at the Farm Show

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The Farm Show celebrates agriculture.  It’s Pennsylvania’s biggest industry, and wine production is widely considered one of its fastest growing segments.  “The number of wineries has more than doubled within the past decade,” explains Pennsylvania Wineries Association Director Jennifer Eckinger.  “At this point we have more than 150-wineries throughout the state of Pennsylvania.  They’re located in every portion of the state.” 

Eckinger helped to award three of those wineries with the 17th annual Governor’s Cups this week.  The large trophies that represent ‘Best of Show’ wines went to Karamoor Estate Vineyards (Montgomery Co.), Greendance Winery (Westmoreland Co.) and Crossing Vineyard & Winery (Bucks Co.).

Crossing Vineyard & Winery vintner Tom Carroll Jr. knew he wanted to make wine from the time he was 10-years old.  After mastering the craft in California, he moved back to southeastern Pennsylvania to start his own winery on his parents’ farm. 

Carroll’s Best of Show Fruit Wine is called Wild Berry.  The concoction started out as a blueberry wine, but Carroll added some blackberries and raspberries to find just the right flavor.  “I remember the first time my dad tasted it he said, wow this is wild,” Carroll says of how the wine got its name. 

Carroll and all of PA’s winemakers are working every day to convince people that good wine doesn’t have to come from Europe or California.  Based on the crowds at the new wine tasting display in the Farm Show’s Main Hall… it would seem they’re converting hundreds of people this week alone.

Long Lines are Worth the Wait in the Farm Show Food Court

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If you can fry it, you’ll find it at the 97th Pennsylvania Farm Show.  While this reporter can vouch for the tastiness of the fried cheese, mushrooms and blooming onions… you don’t have to prefer your food battered and dipped in hot oil to enjoy the Farm Show food court. 

For instance, you can satisfy your sweet tooth with some honey-sweetened waffles, topped with honey-sweetened ice cream.  Aaron Fisher of Mifflin County, a member of the PA Beekeepers Association, says the honey replaces the corn syrup and sugars of traditional ice cream.

“I’ve got a truck outside that door that’s full of ice cream, and we hope by the end of the week it’s all gone,” Fisher says, looking forward to a week of mild weather.  Last year they went through 750-gallons of honey ice cream. 

Across the room, you’ll find a bevy of maple syrup products, including cotton candy, which is a best seller for the PA Maple Syrup Producers Council.  “There’s no comparison… the imitation compared to the real maple syrup,” says Laura Dengler of Crawford County, who was offering up free samples.  Pure maple syrup is all natural with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and Dengler says you can taste the difference.    

Both of these food court stands are prepped to dish out their goodies as fast as possible, but there will inevitably be food court backlogs.  To avoid the long lines, Fisher suggests snacking at off-peak hours and Dengler reminds us to be patient – because the Farm Show food court is worth the wait.

cows, dairy

97th Pennsylvania Farm Show Opens Saturday

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The weather forecast is fair, and officials expect more than 400,000 visitors over the eight-day Pennsylvania Farm Show.  “We’re dealing with about 24-acres under roof, just about a million square feet under roof, and that includes three arenas and eight major halls,” explains Farm Show Complex Executive Director Pat Kerwin.  It’s considered the largest indoor agricultural event in the country. 

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary George Greig is double-booked all week long as the Farm Show’s unofficial host.  “I want to represent each faction of agriculture and in Pennsylvania we have a very diverse agriculture group,” Greig tells Radio PA.  Greig is a dairy farmer from Crawford County and says the Farm Show is also a good time to reconnect with old friends from western PA. 

The famed Farm Show Food court churned out 140,000 milkshakes last year, and more than 22,500 dozen potato doughnuts.  New fare for this year’s show includes bacon on a stick, pumpkin funnel cakes and apple cider slushies, but you can’t go wrong with the old standards.  “I like the fried cheese, milkshakes and roast beef sandwiches with horseradish.  I’m a big horseradish person,” says Greig. 

Some of the new attractions for the 2013 show include the Great Grape Stomp, a new wine tasting area and a polo demonstration.  “But the thing that seems to be getting a lot of attention – which is somewhat odd in my opinion – is cow patty bingo,” Kerwin explains.  Just picture a giant bingo card on the large arena floor with roaming bovines providing their own special markers.

The 97th PA Farm Show runs from this Saturday through Saturday January 12th at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.  Admission is free; parking will cost you ten dollars.

2012 Farm Show: By the Numbers

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Record crowds filled the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex from January 7th – 14th.  While an actual head count is impossible for the 24-acre, 11-buiding complex, officials say they parked 70,000 cars in official Farm Show lots.  That’s a 22% increase over last year. 

To satisfy the masses, the Pennsylvania Co-operative Potato Growers served up more than 270,000 doughnuts and 40,000 baked potatoes. 

Over at the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association booth, they used up more than 14,000 gallons of milkshake mix and 6,000 pounds of Mozzarella cheese. 

Right next door to the Dairymen’s booth at the PA Preferred Food Court, the Pennsylvania Mushroom Grower’s Cooperative sold more than 7,000 pounds of mushrooms.   And those are just a few examples.   

The record crowds did more than nosh on food court favorites, they witnessed 10,000 competitive exhibits, 6,000 animals and 300 commercial exhibitors. 

The Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation presented 26-students with $3,500 scholarships, and will surpass the million dollar mark in overall scholarships awarded in 2013. 

The 1,000 pound butter sculpture has been turned over to a Juniata County dairy farmer to be converted into 65-kilowatt hours of electricity.  That’s enough to power the farm for roughly three days. 

Just two days after the 2012 Farm Show closed its doors, it’s on to the next event for the Farm Show Complex.  The PA Draft Horse Sale will run Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Farm Show Food Court, Doughnuts

Potato doughnuts are always a big hit at the Farm Show.

Putting the Showmanship in the PA Farm Show…

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Friday is chock-full of dairy judging at the 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show.  While the state’s youth make it look easy to Farm Show visitors, dairy showmanship is actually hard work.  “They can be stubborn at times, but usually just by making some noises or getting their attention… they’ll usually go,” Stephanie Stahl of Somerset County says of maneuvering her dairy cows for the judges.

Working with Stephanie is Chelsea Berkebile of Somerset County, who stresses the importance of keeping your eyes on the judges at all time.  “You always want to move out of the way as they’re moving around, so they can see the animal at their best.”  Hopefully, all of the hard work they do with the animals at home will pay off in the arena.

Some dairy showmen are better than others, however.  “I’ve learned a full appreciation for those who raise the animal, and take care of the animal seven days a week,” says Columbia County State Rep. Dave Millard, a three-time participant in the Farm Show’s Legislative Dairy Showmanship Contest.  “I do my best at it, but I’ve never come away with a first, second or third place.”

State Rep. Mike Tobash of Berks and Schuylkill counties took home top honors in the 2012 legislative showcase.  Farm Show judges will wrap up their evaluations of hundreds of dairy cattle later this afternoon.  You’ll be able to look up the Supreme Champion, and check on all of the results at the Farm Show’s website.  The 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show will come to a close at 5pm Saturday. 

Farm Show, Cow, Milk

Kids can even try milking a cow at this Farm Show display.

What’s Old is New Again at the Farm Show

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They first started pitching horseshoes at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in 1931.  Harold Clippinger of Cumberland County was tough to beat in the 1950s.  Clippinger got his start on his grandfather’s farm when he was just six years old.  “When they replaced the shoes on [the horses], then we took them, put stakes in the ground and pitched them back and forth.”  Today, Clippinger is still pitching at the age of 79. 

But for about 50 years he couldn’t compete at the Farm Show.  Nobody could.  Organizers pulled the plug on the Farm Show horseshoe pitching competition in 1957.  It returned in 2007, thanks to the hard work of people like Dick Scott of Cumberland County.  “The idea was to go back to the heritage of when horseshoe pitching and farming were together,” Scott says.  “Farmers used it as recreation, and they just thought we could bring that back.” 

82-year-old Ralph Hock eyes another ringer.

82-year-old Ralph Hock eyes another ringer.

For 82-year-old Ralph Hock of Franklin County, it keeps his mind and body sharp.  “It makes you want to try to get better all the time,” he says with a chuckle. 

But the reincarnation of the Farm Show Shootout has also sparked a whole new generation of horseshoe pitchers, like 13-year-old Emily Hatrick of Chester County.  The junior division champ is motivated by her goal to best her dad at horseshoes. 

Horseshoe pitchers are classified by their percentage of ringers.  “I’m a 10.2% average right now,” Emily says.  “I’m not sure where I’m headed but I’m hoping I can get up there sooner or later.”  Some Farm Show Shootout contestants are 75% ringers. 

Randy Ziders of Juniata County earned the top spot in the men’s 40-foot division, and Glenn Burris of Westmoreland County finished first in the 30-foot mixed bracket.  Hundreds of Farm Show visitors also got to try their hand at horseshoe pitching in a special pit set up for the public.