Butter sculpture, new milkshake flavor and more: What to know about the 2023 PA Farm Show

The butter sculpture has been unveiled, and the milkshakes are being prepared. That means one thing: It’s time for the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show at the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. This year’s theme, “Rooted in Progress,” reflects the role of agriculture in the state’s past as well as adjustments farmers have been making to meet changing markets and consumer needs.

“Each year, a theme is chosen for the Pennsylvania Farm Show to celebrate Pennsylvania agriculture. This year’s theme honors our roots and vision for the future,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “We were ‘Harvesting More’ in 2022 following a virtual year in 2021 during the pandemic — and now, we’re celebrating accomplishments in agriculture, while recognizing the agricultural drive and vision to innovate and inspire. In 2023, we will be ‘Rooted in Progress.’ “

Admission to the show is free, but parking costs $15 by credit card at lots operated by the Farm Show Complex.

The show begins Saturday, but the food court opens Friday. The hours are:

• Friday, Jan. 6: noon-9 p.m. (food court only)
• Saturday, Jan. 7: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 8: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 9: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 10: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 11: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 12: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 13: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 14: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll find at this year’s Farm Show.

New flavors

The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association has whipped up a new milkshake flavor this year: orange cream. The new flavor is part of the group’s celebration of its 70th birthday serving milkshakes at the Farm Show. Orange cream joins the traditional flavors of vanilla, chocolate and mix.

The dairymen will also be serving fried mozzarella cheese cubes with marinara, grilled cheese sandwiches and grilled cheese sticks with marinara, ice cream and Pennsylvania-produced white and chocolate milk.

The Mushroom Farmers of Pennsylvania will hold their first “Mushroom Healthy Happy Hour” on Tuesday afternoon.

Sports dietitian Leslie Bonci will talk about mushrooms and how they can be part of a healthy diet in an affordable way.

The Mushroom Food Booth at the food court will feature a new Blended Mushroom Steakhouse Burger. The burger is 60% grass-fed beef and 40% fresh Pennsylvania mushrooms, topped with cheese, sauteed mushrooms and barbecue sauce.

The butter sculpture

The sculpture, made of more than 1,000 pounds of butter, was unveiled Thursday by American Dairy Association North East and the state Department of Agriculture. The 32nd butter sculpture is themed “Pennsylvania Dairy: Rooted in Progress for Generations to Come.” It shows multiple generations of a dairy farming family sharing a moment as they work together to bring food to their community.

“Creating art that showcases the hard work of dairy farmers is an immense source of pride for us,” artist Jim Victor, who created the sculpture with Marie Pelton, said in a statement.

What else is happening at the Farm Show?

Redding toured the Farm Show Complex this week and highlighted several exhibits and encouraged Pennsylvanians to visit them while at the show.

The conservation and sunflower exhibits explore how farmers are protecting the soil and water and how sunflowers can help the environment. Pick up a dog license application at the Agriculture Department’s dog law enforcement booth and say hello to the nearby dogs. The expanded “So you want to be a farmer” exhibit will offer interactive information from experts from groups such as PA Agriculture Business Development Center, PASA Sustainable Agriculture, Rodale and PA No-Till Alliance.

A display will mark the Pennsylvania Farm Show’s role during World War II and includes wartime homefront posters. And Jan. 12 is Service Members, Veterans and their Families Day, which features the Army-Navy Cookoff at 1 p.m.

Family activities include an Ag Immersion Lab, the Moo U interactive STEM learning area and goat snuggling plus vendors and shopping.

Visit farmshow.pa.gov for a complete schedule and more information.