Milk will play a prominent role at the 99th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show thanks to Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program and several partners working together to promote the Commonwealth’s number one agricultural industry – dairy. Here’s an overview of the many programs Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program are supporting at the 2015 event, which runs from Jan. 10 to 17.
High School RodeoFor the first time, the dairy checkoff organizations are sponsoring the Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Association Championship Rodeo, which is expected to reach more than 10,000 people during its two shows on Saturday, Jan. 10. Rodeo participants and fans will learn more about the benefits of refueling with chocolate milk through signage prominently displayed in the Large Arena, as well as giveaways including rally towels and T-shirts. Rodeo winners will receive special Refuel with Chocolate milk prizes and will be photographed drinking a glass of chocolate milk.
“Fill a Glass with Hope”Another first for Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program and the Pennsylvania Farm Show is a new campaign to raise funds for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to purchase milk. Farm Show guests will be encouraged to donate money to “Fill a Glass with Hope” on site at the milkshake booth in the Food Court or at the Weis booth near the Today’s Agriculture exhibit. The first 25 people to donate each day at each donation location will receive a coupon for a free PA Dairymen’s Association milkshake.
Also supporting the “Fill a Glass with Hope” campaign are the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, PA Dairymen’s Association and Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Online donations can be made at www.centralpafoodbank.org/milk.
PA Preferred Culinary Connection
Saturday, Jan. 17, is Dairy Day at the PA Preferred Culinary Connection, and Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association will be on hand to show consumers ways to bring dairy into their kitchens. This year’s on-stage demonstration will feature Chef Delilah Winder of Philadelphia and her “Ah Ha Mac and Cheese” recipe, which includes eight different types of cheese. The recipe will be sampled to those who gather to watch the demonstration and will be available in the Culinary Connection recipe book. The recipe can also be found online at www.dairyspot.com/recipe/ah-ha-mac-n-cheese/.
Today’s Agriculture ExhibitMid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program are once again supporting the Today’s Agriculture exhibit, working closely with the Center for Dairy Excellence on the dairy section of the exhibit, which will include two cows and a calf. Dairy farmers and industry representatives will be volunteering their time to talk with Farm Show guests about how dairy farmers care for their animals and the many steps taken to produce safe, wholesome milk.
PA Dairymen’s AssociationThe “Your Milk Comes from a Good Place” consumer education campaign will be featured in a continuing partnership with the PA Dairymen’s Association. A video monitor above the milkshake booth in the Food Court will display dairy farmer photos and messaging, as well as a callout for the “Fill a Glass with Hope” campaign. The plastic wraps used to serve the Dairymen’s grilled cheese sandwiches will feature the “Your Milk” logo as a reminder to consumers that their milk comes from a good place.
Butter SculptureA visit to the Pennsylvania Farm Show isn’t complete without a stop at the butter sculpture. Renowned sculptor Jim Victor returns again this year to create the 1,000-pound sculpture, which will be unveiled during a press conference on Jan. 8. Be sure to stop by the Main Floor to see this buttery work of art. Additional information about the butter sculpture can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ButterSculpture.
Unlike previous years, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association will not be sponsoring its own booth at Pennsylvania Farm Show in order to support the many other activities promoting dairy. The association is continuing its support of the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess and Promotions Services Inc. booth in the dairy barn where consumers can learn more about milk and dairy products.
For more information about the 2015 Pennsylvania Farm Show, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us/.
