#United States #Harrisburg #Pennsylvania #Butter Sculpture #Dairy Farming

Unveiling the 34th Butter Sculpture at the Pennsylvania Farm Show

On January 2, 2025, the Pennsylvania Farm Show saw the unveiling of its much-awaited butter sculpture, themed "From Moo to Marvel: Dairy Cows Power Pennsylvania." This year's delightful masterpiece showcases the vital roles dairy cows play in both our diet and the environment. Crafted by renowned artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, this sculpture is a tactile testament to the incredible contributions of the dairy industry.

The scene prominently features a lifelike dairy cow and a methane digester, symbolizing renewable energy solutions, set amid the backdrop of a Pennsylvania farm and a lively cityscape. Kacie Hershey, a passionate dairy farmer from Cochranville, Pennsylvania, remarked on the sculpture’s significance, stating, "Cows are truly superheroes. They nourish us with their milk, upcycle food scraps, and, through innovative processes like digestion, transform their waste into clean energy." This highlights not only the nutritional value offered by dairy but also the sustainable practices embedded within the industry.

The butter used for this striking sculpture weighed over 1,000 pounds, generously provided by Land O'Lakes from their Carlisle location in Cumberland County. Each piece of this art took weeks of dedication and creativity to complete, illustrating the hard work and ingenuity of Pennsylvania's dairy farmers. The exhibit in the Pennsylvania Farm Show's Main Hall is expected to attract around 500,000 visitors over its eight-day run from January 4 to January 11.

After the event, the sustainable journey of the butter does not end. Once the Farm Show concludes, the butter will be recycled at Reinford Farms in Juniata County, where it will be converted into renewable energy using the farm’s methane digester. This not only demonstrates a commitment to sustainability but also encapsulates the lifecycle of dairy production – from farm to community and back again.

The American Dairy Association North East (ADANE) and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program collaborated with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in presenting this sculpture, emphasizing the connection between local dairy farmers and the broader community. The organizations aim to promote dairy products while educating audiences about the industry’s sustainability efforts. Both bodies are dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and appreciation of dairy farming and its positive environmental impact.

“With the support of over 8,300 dairy farming families across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and northern Virginia, we strive to communicate the importance of dairy in nutrition and sustainability,” explained ADANE CEO John Chrisman.

The Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, managed under ADANE, works diligently to foster demand for dairy products by organizing local events and educational initiatives. They engage with consumers through various media platforms, focusing on the health benefits and versatility of dairy foods, while collaborating with health professionals to facilitate a better understanding of dairy's role in a balanced diet.

Through this artistic and educational representation at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, visitors will not only be able to enjoy a unique piece of art but also gain an insight into the vital contributions of dairy farmers to both local economies and sustainable agricultural practices. This year's butter sculpture serves as a celebration of dedication across the dairy industry, along with a reminder of the interconnectedness of our food systems and the sustainability efforts in place to protect and nourish our communities for generations to come.