[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE 100TH PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW

  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the 100th 
Pennsylvania Farm Show, which is being held this week in Harrisburg, 
PA.
  Established in 1917, the Pennsylvania Farm Show is held every January 
and showcases the Commonwealth's vibrant farming traditions and finest 
foods. With 24 acres of exhibition space, it is the Nation's largest 
indoor agricultural event. This year's show will display more than 
13,000 exhibits and is anticipated to draw half a million visitors from 
across the Nation.
  The farm show always provides free admission and allows everyone the 
chance to learn more about Pennsylvania agriculture. It hosts a wide 
variety of events and displays including livestock exhibits, art 
displays, and educational workshops.
  In addition to its hands-on exhibits, the farm show allows visitors 
to sample products that are grown and produced in Pennsylvania. Farmers 
display their fruits and vegetables while vendors sell local favorites, 
including pretzels, apple butter, and shoofly pie. As the occupant of 
the Senate candy desk, I would be remiss not to recognize the small, 
family-owned candy companies that also sell their products at the farm 
show.
  With a nod toward education, the Pennsylvania Farm Show sponsors the 
scholarship foundation for students pursuing their post-secondary 
education in the agriculture field. Since its creation, the foundation 
has donated over $1 million in scholarships to youth involved in 4-H, 
Future Farmers of America, and other agriculture organizations. It is 
encouraging to see such a strong commitment to agriculture's continued 
success in Pennsylvania for the foreseeable future.
  This weekend, my family and I will attend the 2016 Pennsylvania Farm 
Show. Farming is a vital component to Pennsylvania's economy, and I am 
proud of our State's dairy, livestock, and agriculture products. I look 
forward to the farm show every year, and I encourage all Pennsylvanians 
to attend this event to experience firsthand our State's rich 
agriculture history.

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