Honor and celebrate Pennsylvania’s unique agricultural heritage, innovations, and bright future at the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Jan. 4-11 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. This year’s theme, “Powering Pennsylvania,” recognizes our state as a family-run agritourism destination, green-energy producer, and community economic driver. As the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the U.S., this is one event you won’t want to miss, especially with all those delicious and taste-tempting Farm Show foods and beverages made fresh from PA farm products!
Payment for the paid parking lots is once again cashless with Visa, Mastercard, America Express and Discover credit/debit cards, as well as Visa and Mastercard pre-purchased gift cards accepted. The food court’s vendors are accepting both cash and credit cards this year.
New to the farm show for 2025:
1. Snuggle Up To Some Furry Bovine Cuteness
It’s not a farm show without the opportunity to get an up-close look with some of your furry farm favorites. New in 2025, Swartz Farm and Friends of Farm Show Foundation are giving you the chance to snap a perfect selfie and pet the cutest mini highland cows PA has to offer – a treat straight from the Scottish Highlands.
2. So You Want to Be a Farmer
Providing fun for all ages, visit the expanded, interactive, and informative “So You Want to Be a Farmer” exhibit in the Main Hall to learn what it takes to succeed in today’s agricultural environment. Here you can pick the brains of professionals, including experts from PA’s new Agricultural Business Development Center, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, the Rodale Institute, and the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance – your destination to feed your progress!
3. Celebrate Women Powering Agriculture
Get a front row seat on Thursday, January 9 at 9 a.m. to hear from innovative professor and best-selling author, Dr. Temple Grandin as she brings her unique perspective on problem-solving and understanding animals to anchor the day as the takes center of the Farm Show stage, as the featured speaker of this year’s event. Her speech and a fireside chat will kick off a morning filled with a series of conversations, interactive demos, and networking opportunities celebrating the powerful women who are leading and shaping Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry.
4. Some Green Thumb Fun
Looking for some new ideas to expand or change up your flower and veggie gardens? Visit the GIANT Expo Hall’s Conservation Exhibit for the latest innovations and info on how PA farmers are working for cleaner air and water; watch the popular rainfall simulator in action; and learn about the newest, innovative equipment for your little slice of gardening paradise.
5. Magnificent Mullets
Did you know Pennsylvanians took home the crown in both the women’s and kid’s divisions of the 2023 USA Mullet Championships?! Thanks to this celebrated achievement, the annual Mullet Championship is back at the Farm Show for its second year. If you think your mullet has what it takes to be named champion, you can enter the contest that takes place center stage in the Main Hall on Jan. 6 (or just come to watch all the hairy fun). Best of luck to all contestants in this wacky, fun, and friendly competition!
6. Food Frenzy at the Food Court
It seems there’s always something new for you to savor at the Food Court and this year is no different. Delve into the culinary heritage of your favorite Eastern European family member or friend with pierogies and potato pancakes, the perfect comfort food for those cold winter nights ahead. Afterwards, stroll on over to the Main Hall Stage to connect with PA Dutch culture with a Daily Dose of Dutch where you can learn what Willkum means, how to read a hex sign, and even bake a shoo fly pie!
7. PA Preferred® Culinary Connection
There’s something new every day, indeed almost every hour, at the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection stage in the Main Hall where Pennsylvania’s most talented chefs prepare their masterpieces. This year’s all-star line-up is led by Pennsylvania's Food Network star, author, and Guinness World Record-holder, Chef Jet Tila. Visit the Culinary Connection to sample celebrity recipes prepped by future stars from PA culinary schools, grab a cookbook, and begin your own PA farm-to-table culinary adventures!
8. New Milkshake Flavor
It’s party time at the milkshake stand as the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association distributes their iconic shakes with a brand new, delicious flavor - Mint! Along with its traditional Farm Show legen-DAIRY milkshake flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and mixed, the new mint is must-try at this year's event.
9. New Classes and Competitions
From the charming Oberholsi dairy goats with their gentle demeanor to heartwarming Calf & Cow baby-mama pairs, there’s an abundance of ways to immerse yourself in all things Pennsylvania agriculture. Savor the flavors of dry and sweet fruit ciders, admire stunning fall harvest-themed quilt creations, and explore the impressive power of garden tractors. Don’t miss the new home veggie canning competitions or learn vital tips on family and farm safety during power generation demos. Did we mention there is the first-ever Turkey Showmanship competition? Youth contestants will demonstrate their skills and knowledge of raising turkeys.
To view the full PA Farm Show schedule, visit the PA Farm Show website. Follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. You’ll never miss an update when you sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter.