AlO-UacMter Farming, Saturday, January 5,1985
Farm Show has a long history
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Call it the then Sidle Secretary of
greatest exposition of its kind in Agriculture, invited agricultural
the world or one of the largest leaders to meet with him in Lan
cultural and entertainment events caster. At that meeting the Farm
to be found. Regardless of how you Show was bom.
slice it, the Pennsylvania Farm Farmers weren’t interested in a
Show is part of our heritage - the midway type of fair, but one
Pride of Pennsylvania. To be geared specifically toward
certain, the 69th Farm Show education, complete with exhibits
exemplifies the progress of Penn- and facilities to host their
sylvania’s number one industry. meetings. Their objective has held
While the Farm Show makes no true to this day. The original Farm
claims to 'revolutionizing Penn- Show Committee set January as
sylvania agriculture single- the best month suited for the show,
handedly, there can be no doubt Farmers at that time are looking
that the annual expo serves as a to buy farm equipment, seed,
valuable incentive to improving fertilizer and other supplies for the
agriculture, providing a testing coming season,
ground for the effectiveness of The first Farm Show held in 1917
research, experimentation and was called the Pennsylvania, Cora,
education in producing higher Fruit, Vegetable, Dairy Products
quality crops and livestock. Like sod Wool Show, and featured
the industry, the Farm Show has educational displays and meetings
experienced many growing pains for the various groups. It was held
during its 68-year history. in the Emerson Brantingham
Its infancy goes back to the days Building at Tenth & Market Streets
of Penn’s Woods and founder in Harrisburg and attracted about
William Penn, who sought to instill 5,000 farm and city residents and
the importance of establishing a featured $735 in premiums to
strong agricultural program in the exhibitors. By comparison, the
minds of the early settlers. That 1985 Farm Show offers $155,167 in
effort resulted in the first premiums and is expected to at-
Philadelphia Fair in 1686, tract over half a million visitors,
featuring displays of food From its beginning, the Farm
products. Show has recognized the im-
Agricultural shows gained an portance of our farm youth, and
additional boost with the creation has served as an outstanding
of the Philadelphia Society for medium for both farm and urban
Promoting Agriculture in 1785. youth who flock to the show by the
Through the combined efforts of thousands. The first show had just
that, group and farmers throughout 40 School boys Competing in Com
the state, the first State Fair was and potato judging. In 1923 a potato
held in Paoli, Chester County, in baking demonstration was staged
1823. by 4-H club members to boast the
The educational value of such quality of Pennsylvnaia spuds,
expos and the enthusiasm These buttered baked potatoes
associated with them spread like were sold at five cents each and
wildfire. The idea of a more ex- became very popular. The Penn
tensive State Fair to promote all sylvania Potato Growers
agricultural endeavors caught on Association took over the sale in
with the mechanization on Penn- 1925 and since then the baked
sylvania farms. To keep pace with potato is a hallmark at the show,
the rapid succession of new ideas In 1926 the first baby beef entries
and inventions, representatives were brought to the growing ex
from 50 counties banded together position. The grand champion
to form the Pennsylvania State animal, a 1,066-pound steer,
Agricultural Society in 1851 and brought 25 cents a pound at auction
conducted the first State Fair that lor a total of $266.50. The 1983
year in Harrisburg only a short grand champion steer show by
distance from the present Farm Annette Walter of Airville, York
Show Complex. Paid admissions County, went for a record shat
were dose to 20,000 with total tering price of $l2 a pound for a Brr...
receipts of $5,600. total of $15,060! The 4-H livestock
In subsequent years, State Fairs exhibits from all comers of the To Attend
were held in different dties, commonwealth continue to be one Farm Show Events
allowing new groups of farmers of the more popular features at the has a w
and the general public to view the Farm Show. 1 here n
exhibits. The establishment of By 1928 the attendance had ime. T 1
Penn State University in 1855 and swelled to an estimated 50,000, gain thi
the State Board of Agriculture in forcing great crowds to stand for and cl«
1876 helped expand the educational hours outside the main exhibit : theme
role of those fairs. building, often in rain and snow, iture - r
Temporary abandonment of the waiting to see the exhibits. These la. Well,
state fair idea in 1899 led conditions prompted expanded Iture be
agricultural organizations to boost facilities. Officials broke ground in of oui
an annual winter farm show idea in 1928 for construction of the Main And hei
1907, when they gathered for their Farm Show Building. The cost of r farmei
January meetings in the old the structure and furnishings was % pubh<
Executive Building near the about $1.5 million. The building :ts raisi
Capitol. There was a small show was dedicated on Jan. 19,1931, and
for milk, a modest show for butter, the opening day of the 15th Farm ve farme
and a big show for com. A milking Show. The event was officially lany ed
mnrhinp wa s demonstrated, as named the Pennsylvania Farm mquets t
dairy supply and equipment Show in 1931. ;ek. Man
manufacturers provided exhibits. With the new building came even organize
Livestock and horticulture greater enthusiasm. The number economi
groups continued to push for an of farm products doubled. By 1935 cer.
annual Pennsylvania State Fair the competitive exhibits numbered To Sharpe
until 1916 when Charles Patton, 10,000 and the Future Farmers of we look
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America Band made its debut, as
did the Route 22 Bypass leading to
the complex. With the increased
activity, it became apparent that
the small arena was not of suf
ficient size to do justice. Original
plans for a State Fair Building in
the 1920’s included a collisium-like
structure. So the large arena,
which added, 75,000 square feet of
floor space and 7,039 permanent
seats was constructed. It was
dedicated at the 23rd Farm Show
in 1939, and features a 120’x340’
arena floor with no view
obstructing pillars. The immense
roof is supported by eight two
hinged rigid frames or arches,
each 235 feet long, hailed at that
time as “the largest of their kind.”
Programming of events in the
huge structure included the first in
a series of Pennsylvania State
Police Mounted Exhibitions, horse
pulling contests, farm youth
demonstrations and enlarged
livestock competitions. The 1941
expo had the largest number of
competitive farm products ever
known; 11,655. It was a most fitting
salute to the Farm Show’s Silver
Anniversary.
The 1942 show was the last
exhibition until 1947. The complex
was used by the United States War
Department to train civilian
personnel to repair, assemble and
recondition airplace motors for the
war effort. However, meetings
continued to be held by the
agricultural organizations to
mobilize production efforts to feed
the nation’s fighting men. When
the building was returned to the
Farm Show Commission after the
war, a steel warehouse had been
added. This structure, rebuilt in
the late 1970’5, now houses the beef
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IT'..!-'.... =
NOW IS THE TIME
Time has a way of creeping up on
us, and here it is... nearly Farm
Show time. The Farm Show will
open again this year on Sunday,
Jan. 13 and close on Friday, Jan.
18. The theme for the exhibition is
Agriculture - The Pride of Penn
sylvania. Well, we are proud of our
agriculture because of the hard
work of our family-operated
farms. And here is an opportunity
for our farmers to show the con
suming public the high-quality
products raised on our farms
today.
Active farmers should recognize
the many educational meetings
and banquets that are held during
the week. Many of these are state
wide organizations and should
have economic benefits to the
producer.
To Sharpen Management
As we look ahead to 1985, it is
THE SIGNS IN
YOUR LIFE
January 6,1985
Background Scripture:
Devotional Reading:
“Why do you believe in Jesus
Christ?”
This was a question which I
addressed to a church school class
some time ago. I made it clear that
this was not intended as a
rhetorical question, but one to
which I was seeking answers from
as many in the class as would be
willing to share them. “Take your
time before you answer,” I told
them. “I want to know why YOU
believe in Jesus Christ.”
They took their time, but, after
someone got the ball rolling with
her answer, others followed until
many, though not all, of the people
had made a response.
THE TESTIMONY
Most of the people in the class
cited the influence of their parents,
some other key family member, a
clergyman, a church school
teacher, and even a concerned
congregation. No one said, “I
believe in Jesus Christ because I
have experienced him in my own
life.” (That doesn’t mean they had
not, but only that they did not
indicate such an experience.)
My experience with the class is
probably not all that atypical of
many Christian groups. Many
Christians can cite the significant
influence of a person or persons
who have motivated them to count
By Jay Irwin
Lancaster County Agriculture Agent
Phone 717-394-6851
difficult to realize just what major
problems will confront the average
farmer. However, it is evident that
profits will b° more difficult to
realize and some very good
management will be needed to
come out in the black. Today’s
farmer must be a better
businessman than his forefathers.
A farmer must be able to handle
labor, money, equipment and keep
up-to-date on all regulations and
cultural practices. A farmer must
be able to plan ahead and to be
organized with all the respon
sibilities. A farmer should practice
good public relations with the
neighbors and respect the rights of
others. Good management is just
as important in farming as it is in
any other industry or business.
Work at it and it will pay
dividends.
To Separate
New Animals
The addition of a new animal to
(K
John 4
John 4:5-24
themselves as followers of Jesus
Christ. At this level, at least, their
faith is basically a second-hand
one.
There is nothing wrong with a
Christian commitment that rests
in part on someone else’s ex
perience of Christ. The Bible is
filled with this kind of example.
Jesus’ encounter with the
Samaritan woman at the well of
Sychai _ in noint. After her
brief, but amazing discourse
Jesus at the well, the woman 1 Uiio
back to her village to tell everyone
of this remarkable man who
seemed to know everything she
had ever done. John tells us,
“Many Samaritans from that city
believed in him because of the
woman’s testimony” (4:39).
HEARD FOR OURSELVES
Yet, although another’s ex
perience of Christ in their life is a
fine place to begin as a Christian, it
is certainly no place to end. We can
Jive off a second-hand religious
experience for only so long. The
time comes when, instead of
hearing others talk about the
Christ they have experienced, we
need to draw our inspiration from
the Christ in our own lives.
At the invitation of the woman’s
Samaritan neighbors, Jesus
remained two more days and
spoke to the people. At last, John
tells us, “They said to the woman,
It is no longer because of your
words that we believe, for we have
heard for ourselves, and we know
that this is indeed the Saviour of
the world’ ” (4:42).
What about you? Why do you
believe in Jesus Christ? Is your
belief based upon someone’s else’s
testimony or your own experience?
MYSTICAL & SPIRITUAL
IBERIA, a 23-day tour of Spain and
Portugal will be conducted by Mr.
Althouse, March 9-31. For in
formation, write him at 4412
Shenandoah Avenue, Dallas, TX
75205.
the herd or flock, is a very common
practice However, there is always
the chance of bringing new in
fections into the herd. Too many
diseases and problems have been
brought by the owner. At this time
of year and in this part of the state,
the Pa. Farm Show provides an
opportunity for showing animals
and the purchase of new ones. To
those who are exhibiting animals,
and to those who might buy a bred
gilt or other animals, I’d say be
sure to separate these animals
from the rest of the herd or flock
for at least 30 days. The other
alternative is to treat all animals
in the herd or flock for the same
infections as the new animals have
received. Sanitation and
separation are very important
items in good health programs.
To Transfer Silage
Livestock and dairy producers
who have silage stored in tem
porary structures might be
planning to move this feed into
upright silos in the next month or
so. Many producers use the
temporary storage until some of
the material is fed out of the
upright silo. By transferring into
the upright silo, mechanical
feeders can be used. The objective
is to move the silage in cold months
January and February
preferably. When transferring
during warm weather (above
50°F.) there is danger of more
heating of the silage. No preser
vative should be needed. The
faster the material can be moved
into the upright silo, the better it
will settle and remove the air.
The Cooperative Extension Service is ar
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educational institution