The Full Farm Show experience

The first thing you see when pulling up in the bus, is a giant Holstein statue, right in front of the entrance. You walk in, and their is a beautiful mural of agriculture in Pennsylvania. And to both sides of you lay fun, adventure, and what else but.... Agriculture. This is the Pennsylvania Farm Show.   

The Famous Farm Show Butter Sculpture

I know.... For some folks, this might not be an especially exciting time of year, but, for those of us in agriculture, this is one time of year where we can come together and demonstrate to the public why were involved in agriculture, and how others can become more involved too (I'd be lying if I didn't say that we also came together for the food. One word. Milkshakes). This really is a great opportunity though for us to connect a non-agriculturally minded public, with the food and fiber that they consume everyday.

Now, I wish I could say that I was one of the devoted that came every year, all week long. But, alas, I actually haven't been to the farm show in three years. I know, I know, I preach of it's greatness and then I don't even bother to show up. 

But this year was different. 

Not only was it a reunion for me and the farm show, but, being the student teacher at Cowanesque Valley High School also gave me the opportunity to go down on Monday, January 12th to the Mid-Winter FFA Convention. Here, senior FFA members are awarded not only their State FFA Degrees (Keystone Degree), but freshman FFA members are awarded FFA Jackets. I was excited that I got to go with Cowanesque FFA as we had 3 FFA members receiving jackets, but we also had 2 members receiving their Keystone Degree.                         

One of the Cowanesque Members getting his Keystone Degree

It reminded me of when I got my Keystone Degree, and how honored I was to receive it. I can honestly say though, from experiencing it from a member standpoint, a State FFA Officer standpoint, and now from this angle, this was my favorite. I got to see my new students light up with pride as they heard the name of their chapter called as Ben walked across the stage. It reminded me of why I joined FFA, and decided to pursue agricultural education in the first place. And by the end of the day, it reminded me of why, as Ag teachers and FFA advisors, we encourage and push students the way we do. I hope that when I have my own classroom, I can inspire my students so that they too, can walk across the stage.

With all this excitement, it's hard to tell what next year's Farm Show might have in store.