LebTown strolled the Pennsylvania Farm Show complex looking for hometown connections to the eight-day annual agricultural extravaganza, now in its 109th year.

Several local FFA chapters entered small and large landscape designs, including the second-place winner by the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center. 

Ava Gray of ELCO FFA chapter, placed third in the educational house plants designs miniature landscape design competition.

Both Northern Lebanon High School and Lebanon Career and Technology Center FFA students entered the antique garden tractor restoration project competition. Both of their handiworks, that made what’s old new again, are displayed in the Expo Hall, adjacent to the Food Court.

Four Northern Lebanon High School FFA students restored this 1985 Cub Cadet 1282 antique garden tractor. The students are Aiden Flamm, Owen Bomgardner, Cale Shuey and Haylee Mullen, according to the display explaining their project.
This 1985 John Deere garden tractor was restored by the team of Cameron, Yeliar, and Ben from the landscape and horticulture program and FFA at the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center. A description of their project noted they “dedicated countless hours” and that “seeing our hard work pay off and sharing our passion for vintage machinery at the farm show will be truly rewarding.”

Read More: Lebanon County FFAers rebuild antique tractors for Pennsylvania Farm Show

Speaking of agricultural machinery, Ebling’s Service Plus of Myerstown is a participating exhibitor at the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Mike Sellers, left, and Mel Nolt of Ebling’s of Myerstown man the company’s booth on the first day of the 109th edition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

Near the Ebling’s booth was one for Bell & Evans, the Fredericksburg-based poultry producer.

While a limited amount of poultry was permitted at the Farm Show this year due to avian flu precautions, marketing director Audrey King told LebTown prior to the show that Bell & Evans officials decided to focus on education and promotion.

From left, Dale, Jose, and Marty of Bell & Evans pose for a photo during the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The company has a large presence with an educational booth in the Expo Hall and their products are being sold throughout the various food courts during the eight-day event. Chicken soup, chicken sandwiches, and chicken nuggets are but a few of the offerings being sold to hungry guests.

Also in the Expo Hall in the Food Court is one of the busiest booths – the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association’s milkshake stand. When the show officially opened at 8 a.m. Saturday, there were already guests waiting in numerous lines to get one of the tasty treats – an annual farm show favorite of most guests.

Dairymen’s association president Dave Smith of North Londonderry Township said this year’s new milkshake is mint-based. Those who opt for the mint/chocolate mix say it tastes similar to Peppermint Patty candy.

Dave Smith of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association with a mint/chocolate milkshake, which he says tastes like a Peppermint Patty.

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Other tasty milk treats include free samples of Swiss milk. The company’s booth is located in Expo Hall near the Food Court.

Swiss employees (left to right) Sheila Naylor, Patrick Arnold, Bill Kanode, and Dave Beasley pass out samples of Swiss products on the first day of the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Saturday, Jan. 4. 

Read More: Buying local? Your milk might come from this Annville family’s dairy farm

Seltzer’s bologna was doing brisk business on the first morning of the Farm Show. Besides handing out free samples of their products, company officials manning their booth were promoting tours at their facilities.

Jake Moyer and Rachel Moyer of Seltzer’s Bologna in Palmyra pause for a photo with some of Seltzer’s new food items being sold at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The Seltzer’s booth is located toward the western wide of the Main Exhibition Hall in the Farm Show complex. Company officials were handing out free samples and selling product on the first morning of the show on Jan. 4. Jake was working with his mother on Saturday morning.

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Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding praised Newmanstown resident Alona Buzey’s performance of the National Anthem during opening ceremonies on Saturday, Jan. 4. Buzey’s performance is included in our coverage of that event and other activities at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Read More: Lebanon countians help “power” 109th edition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show

LebTown, who has worked with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, introduced the secretary to Alona Buzey of Newmanstown. Buzey performed a riveting rendition of the National Anthem to officially open the 109th edition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Following her performance, Redding praised Buzey for her talented voice.

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James Mentzer is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. He has spent his professional career writing about agriculture, economic development, manufacturing and the energy and real estate industries, and is the county reporter and a features writer for LebTown. James is an outdoor...

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