PENNSYLVANIA — In a creamy tribute to the backbone of Pennsylvania’s food agriculture industry, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding yesterday unveiled a 1,000-pound butter sculpture at the 2024 PA Farm Show. The dairy diorama, aptly titled “A Table for All: Pennsylvania Dairy Connects Communities,” is a testament to the state’s robust dairy industry.
Crafted by renowned Conshohocken artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, this buttery masterpiece mirrors the theme of this year’s Farm Show, “Connecting Our Communities.” It also marks the 20th anniversary of PA Preferred®, Pennsylvania’s brand that champions locally grown and made agricultural products.
“Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, worth $14 billion, employs 53,000 Pennsylvanians and constitutes a third of our state’s food agriculture,” said Secretary Redding. “The Shapiro Administration is dedicated to harnessing future economic opportunities for our dairy industry. We take pride in investing in dairy and celebrating its innovative leaders during the Farm Show and throughout the year.”
The butter sculpture depicts Pennsylvanians from urban and rural settings gathered around a meal of local delicacies against a backdrop of cityscape and farm skyline. At the center of the sculpted feast sits the iconic keystone-and-checkmark logo of PA Preferred.
Pennsylvania dairy farmer Walt Moore, along with several other industry leaders, joined Secretary Redding for the unveiling. Moore, outgoing chair of the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence, expressed his pride in the role that wholesome food plays in uniting communities.
Victor and Pelton, who have crafted 22 PA Farm Show butter sculptures since 1995, shared their joy in creating art that celebrates the hard work of dairy farmers and the significance of agriculture.
Following the Farm Show, the butter from the sculpture, donated by Land O’ Lakes in Cumberland County, will be recycled at Reinford Farms in Juniata County. The butter will be converted into renewable energy in the farm’s methane digester.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is a yearly highlight, drawing visitors from across the nation to connect with the people and products that make Pennsylvania agriculture thrive. As the largest indoor agricultural expo in the country, the show features nearly 6,000 animals, more than 12,000 competitive events, almost 250 commercial exhibits, and a plethora of educational and entertaining events.
The 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show is scheduled to run from Saturday, January 6 through Saturday, January 13 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Admission is free, with parking available at $15 per vehicle.
Discover a wealth of resources at farmshow.pa.gov under 2024 Farm Show. From hours and daily schedules to maps and essential information, everything visitors need to make the most of their experience.
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