BlO—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, 1982
SHARTLESVILLE
Remember your first visit to
the Pennsylvania Farm Show?
What memories are conjured
up when the Northest’s
biggest agricultural show
comes to mind?
And what about those folks
who never have taken part in
the fun and excitement of the
traditional winter-time far
mers’ festivities? What do
they think a Farm Show holds
in store?
To find out, Lancaster
Farming asked this question
to the 25 sixth-graders in the
Upper Berne Elementary
School, located in Shar
tlesville, Berks County.
Teacher Robert H. Adam
confessed he was surprised by
many of the students’
responses and was astonished
that only 9 of his proteges
actually had traveled to
Harrisburg for the big show. A
total of 7 of the eleven-year
olds actually live on farms in
the predominantly rural area,
with the remainder coming
from outlying housing areas
and the smalltown.
Let’s take an unedited look
at what a few of the Upper
Berne sixth-graders had to say
about what Farm Show means
to them.
If I were to go to the Penna. farm Show I would expect to
hove numerous exciting and educational experiences. I would
also expect to see some unfavorable sights.
I would most likely [see] some highly positioned cows,
goats, turkeys, chickens, pigs, and other animals. I would
probably see some nice souvenir shops selling things to
remember the show. I would expect some unrealistic prices
also.
Then I would also expect to see a lot of crowds, a lot of
pushing and shoving. And I would probably see a lot of litter.
If I would go to Farm Show I probably would see a lot of
people. They would be showing the farm animals. People would,
have some cows in one area and some pigs in another. Some
people might travel for miles to go to the Farm Show. Farmers
usually go to the Farm Show every year.
Farmers let their cows get fat so thay can win prizes. The
fatter they are the more points they net. The farmers usually
want a lot of points because they dont know how many points
their competitors hove. Their pigs usually have to get fat for
the contest. All the farm animals have to get fat expect the
horses. Horses don't have to be fat because they usually go
for the size and looks.
After Hie week is over, Hie farmers might butcher the cows
and pigs or keep them fur the next show.
I went to the Farm Shoe when I was in second or third
grade but the most I remembered about the show was the
feed and all the animals and farm equipment.
When my brothers and I were up there the things they liked
best were the animals and the form equipment. I could care
less about Hie form equipment but I liked all the different
animals and especially the food and drinks.
When we were there I saw many tractors and wagons and
began to become bored, but when I was looking at the animals
I wanted to stay. There were cows, pigs, horses and chickens.
I live on a form and I love animals. This is why I look forward
to going every year.
What does Farm
Upper Berne Elementary School students shared their
thoughts and feeling on what Farm Show means to ttiem.
Participating in the essay exercise were: front row, from left,
Adrienne Ogden, Monica Boyer,- Kristen Ernst; second row,
from left, JoAnne Wenger, Lynn Balthaser, Kevin Oewalt,
Arnold Smith, Nathan Lawson, Renee Hoppes, Eric Strohl;
Kevin Dewait
Nathan Lawson
Tina M. Sternly
The Pennsylvania State Farm Show is about firming. There
are big tractors. They have grain silos, harvesters silos, bam
cleaners, manure spreaders, and plows. You name it - they
have it!
The Farm Show is very educational and a lot of people
should go see it. They have a different varieties of animals.
There are cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys,
rabbits and horses. The people that have the animals are the
FFA and 4-H members. It's really fun to go to.
Tom, Jerry, I are really excited about going to the Farm
Show. We imagine that there will be all kinds of farm animals
like cows, pigs, horses - you know stuff like that.
We never saw big farm equipment like the farm show has.
Weliave a tractor but nowhere near as big as theirs. Boy,
would we like to have a tractor like that.
My Dad said that there are events liko rodeos and horse
pulls. It may be a long ride but I'll probably sleep all the way
any way. I hope it's sure worth it. '
i have never been to the Farm Show. But I hope to get
there this year. I hope to see the best breed of cattle. I also
hope to see my friends from school, eat lots of food and buy
tons of souvenirs. I would also like to see old farm equipment
and see how new devises are operated. I would like to sit on a
gigantic tractor, maybe even drive one.
My friends always tell me how much fun it is to run around
and see neat things. If I go I would like to take a friend that
was never there because I know how they feel.
The farm show is very interesting. My dad. tikes the
equipment. My mom likes quilting. My brother likes the cattle.
But for me I like the horses.
The farm show has many events. Such as redoes, horse
pulling contest and showing of cattle and horses.
At the farm show you will see chickens, ducks, sheep,
goats, pigs, cattle and horses.
There are many food stands to get different kinds of food.
I'm sure you would like the farm show as much as I did.
Monica Boyer
mean to you?
Show
Robert Oeiseman
Eric Strohl
James Berger
third row, from left, Jody Heckman, Jeff Schrack, Rick Bell,
Tina Steiniy, Cory McLaughlin, Aaron Boyer, Jimmy Berger;
back row, from left, teacher Robert H. Adam, Tracey
Schlappich, Emily Micacke, Tammy Balthaser, Robbie
Deiseman, Barry Bachman, Matt Lutz, and Dennis Hecftman.
Not pictured, Heather Flowers.
The Farm Show to me was a nice show. There were all kinds
of things there. You could see sheep being sheared, chickens
hatching in an incubator and ducks walking up steps to get
food but they always slide down into the water instead. You
can buy maple syrup or popcorn. There were plenty of cows
and pigs to be seen. There were some adult chickens too.
The part I liked best was all the equipment. Some of the
tractors and combines you could sit in. Allis Chalmers, John
Deere, international Harvester, New Holland and Badger are v
some of the makes of equipment and tractors at the show.
In my opinion the Farm Show is really interesting. You
might even meet someone you know.
The Pennsylvania State Farm Show is like it says, it is
about farming. The show is held at Harrisburg every year. It is
run by Mr. Manns. They display gigantic tractors with dual
wheels down to small lawn mowers. There are chains saws,
bam cleaners and feed carts. You name it and they'll most
liMey have it.
There is a lot of different animals such as horses, cattle,
poultry, sheep, and pigs. There are horse shows and horse
pulling which are held in the arena. Cattle shows are also held
in the arena. There are different breeds of cattle such as
Jersey, Holstein, Guernsey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire and
Shorthorns. 7
Many of the exhibits are made or set up by the 4-H or
FFAs throughout Pennsylvania. I think the Farm Show is
educational and fun for the whole family.
The Farm Show has lots of animals. There are chickens,
roosters and calves. Some animals are sold for terrific prices.
There are many breeds of all kinds of animals. There are
enormously tall horses there. Many animals are sold for
terrific amounts. The chickens are big and the food is
delicious.
The Farm Show has tractors of ell sizes. Some different
kinds of tractors were John Deere and lots of other kinds too.
The prices for the tractors were enormous. Some tractors had
wheels as big as five feet. Some tractors were twenty feet
long and seven feet high.
(Turn to Page Bi 2) Aaron Boyer
Jeff Schrack
Tammy Balthaser