Farm Show will be online
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced Aug. 18 that the 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show, set for Jan. 9-15, will be a virtual celebration, with no in-person events or competitions, to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m heartbroken,” said Lolly Lesher of Way-Har Farms, a family dairy and farm store in Jefferson Township. “It’s such a tragedy because so many nonprofit organizations will lose income, and won’t be able to raise the money needed for youth scholarships.
“Everybody in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will suffer.”
Redding said the switch to virtual was necessary. Plans
have not been solidified.
“There are times in the life of a farmer when the risks are too great or uncertain, requiring farmers to make the tough decision to leave a field fallow,” Redding said in a web press conference Wednesday morning.
“To protect our assets — both our people and our resources — from incalculable losses, we have made the tough decision to take a year to lie in fallow,” Redding said. “Rather than an in-person Farm Show, we will celebrate Pennsylvania agriculture virtually for 2021 as we prepare for a productive future.”
No livestock shows will be held on site, although Redding said discussions are ongoing about ways to engage the state’s 4-H youth.
“I’m saddened, for the 4-Hers especially,” said Ashley Mohn of Womelsdorf, 26, who grew up in the dairy industry and was involved in 4-H, FFA, Grange and the Junior Holstein Organization while a student at Conrad Weiser High School.
“I’ve volunteered for over 10 years in the milkshake booth, the Grange and 4-H booths, and the Calving Corner,” said Mohn, the daughter of Steve and Karen Mohn.
“My whole family has helped out in the Calving Corner for the last three years,” she said. “Part of your January was spent at the Farm Show. Not being able to do that leaves a void.”
In response to questions from reporters, Redding said officials will work hard to have the youth, educational and competitive spirit alive.
“The Farm Show has never been canceled, and we’re not canceling this one,” Redding said, adding that organizers are committed to honoring the traditions exemplified at the Farm Show.
“The economic impact is significant,” Redding said. “It’s in the neighborhood of $60 million. We understand the trade-off,” he said of the Farm Show participants, vendors and others who will suffer an economic hit.
“The economic impact is huge,” said Lesher, citing the Pennsylvania Livestock Association and the PA Dairymen’s Association, just two groups that rely on income from the annual Farm Show.
As for the food court, Redding said the department is looking at its options with regard to capacity and social distancing.
“There are some creative options out there,” he said.
A final decision has not been made on the butter sculpture, Redding said.
“There will be an economic impact to the Farm Show Complex,” he said. “The numbers are still evolving.”
The 2021 virtual PA Farm Show theme is Cultivating Tomorrow. Virtual events will be focused on education and awareness for the general public and the agriculture industry. Any competitive ag events that are held virtually will not require the purchase of an animal.
“There’s going to be tremendous disappointment in our farm community, but they’re resilient,” said Dave Smith, executive director of the PA Dairymen’s Association, who joined in the press conference. “It’s a new opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.”
Redding agreed, saying there are opportunities to show people what 4-H youths are doing and to show how farmers are producing our food.
“While there are challenges in capturing that and presenting it,” he said, “there are ways to present it to the public in a virtual Farm Show. What’s a good way to do this will be the conversation in the next several months.”
“We have not lost sight of what this industry means to Pennsylvania. In fact, this pandemic has highlighted our reliance on it,” said Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Executive Director Sharon Myers.
“The show will go on, just as agriculture has persevered,” Myers said.
“Our eye is on the future,” Redding said.