Local residents win honors at 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show
Dakota Wilson of Smithfield won grand champion market swine while Jaden Bushmire of Connellsville won reserve grand champion market swine at the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show, recently held at the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo in Harrisburg.
“It is the absolute truth that the pigs in this show today would be at the top of the competition at any national show,” said Judge Dan Frobose of Toledo, Ohio, in a press release issued by the farm show.
“We did extremely well,” said Walt Bumgarner, Penn State Extension educator. “One of our 4-H leaders from Fayette County said to me that Southwest Pennsylvania pretty much cleaned up the swine show.”
The week-long event found many local residents in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties earning honors in various events.
Bumgarner, who serves Fayette, Greene and Washington counties, noted that residents of all three counties performed well in competition, such as Holden Headlee of Waynesburg who won several titles, including Maine Anjou reserve grand champion in the breeding beef cattle show.
James and Jackie Campbell of Campbell Land and Cattle in Sycamore, Greene County, won several Simmental and all other purebred titles, including grand champion heifer in open Simmental competition as well as reserve grand champion heifer and reserve grand champion bull in open all other breeds in breeding beef cattle.
And Jessica Butler of Dawson won several ribbons, including Maine Anjou reserve grand champion female, and grand champion heifer while Samantha Fabian of Powerline Farm in Vanderbilt won all other purebreds grand champion heifer.
In addition, the farm show recognized Pam Kessler of New Horizons 4-H Club in Mill Run among the outstanding 4-H leaders “for volunteering their time to help motivate Pennsylvania youth to become strong leaders within their homes and communities.” Kessler won for Outstanding Pennsylvania 4-H Swine Leader.
A press release explained, “She is a 10-year leader where she teaches members about swine, and does so tirelessly as she constantly finds new and creative ways to encourage learning through monthly activities such like games, trivia, websites, and numerous demonstrations. In addition to being a leader, she serves on the county livestock committee, adding crucial leadership to the county programs. Even though she is being recognized for her swine leadership, Pam supports all species events and helps in any way she can.”
Bumgarner noted that Fayette and Washington counties send as many or more youths to the Farm Show than any other counties in the state except for those counties adjacent to the farm show.
He said the youths have had good experiences, encouraging others to participate year after year.
“It’s like anything else – whether it’s a good sports team, a math team or a chess team, — if it becomes successful, it becomes something cool — something more kids will want to participate in,” said Bumgarner, who noted, “Between Fayette, Greene and Washington counties, there’s been lots of champions.”
Bumgarner added, “In Fayette County, we had tons of new kids this year. There were a bunch of new kids and families who went to the farm show for the first time.”
Youths who participate in the show find it rewarding with Bumgarner noting, “It’s an extremely good learning experience and friend-making experience.”
According to a press release, “The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the nation’s largest indoor agricultural event, featuring 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, and 300 commercial exhibitors. According to a report issued by the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, the 2015 show had an estimated economic impact of $95 million to the south-central Pennsylvania region, supporting more than 18,000 jobs over the course of the week-long event.”