Let’s make the most of virtual farm show
There’s never been a better time to celebrate and learn about an industry that employs nearly half a million.
As we trudge through our pandemic-ravaged events calendar, yet another set of traditions is being altered to ensure public health and safety.
This time it’s the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Instead of hosting throngs of visitors at its complex in Harrisburg, the show is being held virtually. It opened last weekend and runs through Saturday.
There’s no denying that as with every other event that’s been affected by COVID-19, an online replacement for the farm show falls considerably short of the real thing. But there’s also no denying that given a choice between sulking over the situation or trying to make the best of it, the latter is the far preferable option.
One could argue that there’s never been a better time to celebrate and learn about an industry that employs nearly half a million people and contributes $185 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy every year. In the past year the people involved in growing, processing and distributing our food have done heroic work despite tremendous challenges.
In this industry that’s absolutely essential to our survival, working at home alone in front of a computer is not an option. Farmers and others that keep us fed had to quickly adapt to changing circumstances to keep up their vital work while keeping employees safe.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding put it well in his announcement of the show opening last weekend: “For 105 years there has been a Pennsylvania Farm Show, through good times and bad. Feast and famine, war and peace, and now a pandemic.
“While this year’s show is different, you will find it is still packed with pride for this essential industry. What we have witnessed since last year’s show is that agriculture is not just an asset to our communities and our economy, but it is essential to our everyday lives.”
There’s even an advantage to a virtual Farm Show. People can get a taste of this year’s activities without having to travel or deal with the crowds that can make a trip to the Harrisburg event challenging.
Virtual events are focused on education and awareness for both the general public and the agriculture industry.
Go to farmshow.pa.gov to see the schedule and learn about a wide variety of opportunities. Guests can check out more than 200 virtual exhibits hosted by vendors, associations, educators, and services. These include links to videos and activities.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show Facebook page and the Pennsylvania Cable Network feature video of many live and pre-recorded events. Viewers can learn how to tie-dye with plants, watch an alpaca obstacle course, tour a farm, learn to make butter, find a new favorite food and wine pairing, get dinner inspiration from chefs and farmers, listen to agriculturally themed bedtime stories, or view discussions on issues facing the agriculture industry.
The Farm Show is hosting 20 Instagram takeovers at @ PAFarmShow that give people a behind-the-scenes look at Pennsylvania farms.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show Trail is making its debut. It’s an interactive map featuring the commercial exhibitors and PA Preferred members that traditionally participate in the show. You can search for favorite products or just look for what’s available nearby.
Webcams offer a live look at the Farm Show duckling pond and beehive. And schoolage children have an opportunity to become an Ag Explorer by visiting virtual stations to learn about raising livestock, organic agriculture, the environment, hardwoods, bees and honey, apple production, maple syrup and more. Kids can visit each virtual station, then take a quiz and enter a drawing for a prize package.
Organizers have even come up with a new wrinkle on the Farm Show’s famous butter sculpture tradition. People ages 5 and up are invited to take part in the first homemade butter sculpture competition.
Do we miss the educational and fun experiences (and delicious food) that go with a trip to the Farm Show complex? Absolutely. But let’s not give in to despair. Let’s celebrate the agriculture industry as best we can, take advantage of the opportunities being offered and commit to gathering a year from now for a tall frosty milkshake in the presence of the cows who helped make it possible.