Berks County farmers, students, and agricultural organizations were among those represented at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, which ran January 10–17 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. The event, the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the nation, brought together producers, exhibitors, and educators from across the Commonwealth under this year’s theme, “Growing a Nation.”
State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding officially opened the show during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, calling agriculture “an enduring symbol… stitched from soil and sweat, from orchards and barns, from classrooms and city gardens, from the hands and hearts of people who care and persevere and believe in the promise of tomorrow.”
Among those showcasing Berks County agriculture was Rachael Harze of Lazy-Day Farm in Boyertown, who brought Babydoll Southdown sheep to the Farm Show. Harze was preparing one of her sheep, Freya, ahead of judging when she spoke about the work that goes into show day. (Watch Video)
“This is her second farm show, and this will be her last show ever,” Harze said. “They age out at two, so we’re hoping she’s pregnant, and she’ll give us some lambs this spring.”
Harze said sheep are judged on both physical structure and fleece quality, and preparation includes carefully carding and trimming the wool. While sheep are a newer addition to her family’s farm, she said agriculture has long been part of her life. “I’ve been coming here since I was literally born,” she said. “I like the food and seeing all the animals and kind of seeing what Pennsylvania farming is all about.”
Dairy cattle from Berks County were also represented by Alexa Davis of Mikan Holsteins in Leesport. Davis and her family brought dairy heifers to be shown in the ring, describing the experience as both competitive and educational for the public. (Watch Video)
“We’ll bring them up to the show ring, and we’ll all walk them around and make sure we got to get them all pretty, kind of like a big beauty pageant that the cows are in,” Davis said. She explained that Mikan Holsteins focuses on raising heifers for show, selling them to other farms once they reach milking age.
“My favorite thing is just seeing all the people and talking to everyone,” Davis said. “I love when people ask me questions and when they’re interested in learning about the cows.”
Youth exhibitors from Berks County were also active participants. Danica Rhoads of Green Hill Acres in Oley brought dairy cattle to the show, balancing school responsibilities with daily animal care. (Watch Video)
“We have to get up before school, take care of all of them, feed them, make sure they have clean, fresh water,” Rhoads said. She added that afternoons are spent washing, training, and clipping animals for competition. “I think my favorite thing is talking to people and educating them [about] the animals and everything that goes into this.”
Rare livestock breeds were represented by Betsy Myers of Grateful Acres in Barto, who raises Valais Blacknose sheep. Myers said the breed, which originates in Switzerland’s Valais region, is still uncommon in the United States. (Watch Video)
“There’s only about 400 to 600 of these purebreds in the United States,” Myers said, noting that the breed has only been available domestically through a breed-up program since 2017. Grateful Acres also earned Grand Champion Non-Auction Fleece honors at this year’s show.
In addition to livestock exhibitors, Berks County students and organizations were recognized across the Farm Show. Elena Lewis of Berks Career & Technology Center East FFA earned first place in Floral Designs, while Kutztown FFA displayed a restored 1948 John Deere B tractor. The tractor, donated by the Marberger family, was purchased at a mud sale in 1969 and used for decades to plow fields and harvest corn before being retired.
Other Berks County displays included the Swartz Farm “Kiss-a-Cow” booth, Steinmetz Family Farm’s baby goat snuggling area, exhibits from Rodale Institute.
Visitors also stopped to view the Farm Show’s iconic 1,000-pound butter sculpture, titled “A Toast to Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary: Inspired by Founders. Grown by Farmers,” which highlights the parallel growth of U.S. history and agriculture. The PA Dairymen’s Association also marked both the Farm Show and America’s upcoming 250th anniversary by offering three flavors of milkshakes.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show featured nearly 5,000 animals, more than 12,000 competitive entries, and over 250 commercial exhibits. Organizers say the event showcases an industry that supports 593,000 Pennsylvania jobs and contributes $132.5 billion annually to the state’s economy.