Western Pa. folks excel at state farm show

From square dancing to cheesemaking to rabbit handling, Southwestern Pennsylvanians know the agricultural industry.

Here is just a sample of regional folks who won big at the 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show. The annual event, held Jan. 7 to 14 in Harrisburg, is the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation.

‘Something to cherish’ for Buffalo Township winery

Winemaking runs in Francesca Howden’s family.

Her parents, who are both from Italy, grew up making wine in the home. They passed that down to Howden, who now helps run the family’s La Vigneta Winery.

This week, La Vigneta took home best of show in the sweet (grape) wine category for the family’s Artisan Blush wine. The honor came complete with a cup trophy — which only was awarded to three winemakers of 184 submitted wines.

“It was neat that we got (a cup),” Howden said. “It’s something to cherish for sure.”

Howden, her husband and her parents began selling wine at the Mt. Lebanon farmers market in 2013.

A decade later, the family makes roughly 40,000 bottles of wine every year at their 17-acre Butler County farm. Their current winemaker is Fred Sammons.

La Vigneta sells wine at grocery stores throughout the region. The family also leases a portion of Caffe Barista in Greensburg.

Howden hopes the farm show success takes La Vigneta to the “next level.” The family has plans to build a production facility and tasting room at the winery.

“I think (the win) will help to get the word out that we’re making really good wines,” Howden said.

4-Hers dance their way to victory

Megan Wilford’s 6-year-old son, Hunter, is too young for many 4-H activities. Square dancing, though, is open for ages 5 to 21.

Hunter tried out square dancing last year and really liked it, his mother said. He participated in the county’s 4-H square dancing group again this year — and took home a blue ribbon at the state farm show.

The Westmoreland Squares earned first prize in its division this year.

The group began practicing weekly in September, Wilford said.

Wilford and her husband began taking Hunter to the state farm show when he was a baby, she said. Someday, the youngster hopes to do archery or show animals through 4-H.

For now, attending the farm show helps to introduce him to the world of agriculture.

“I think going to a farm show shows him different areas of agriculture,” said Wilford, who lives in Derry Township. “It also teaches him that people other than Westmoreland County residents also value agriculture as an industry.”

Unity creamery’s cheeses impress

To Jason Frye, co-owner of the Creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms, the state farm show’s cheese competition is less about winning and more about getting critical feedback from national experts.

Winning is just a “pleasant side effect.”

“We’re really lucky we’re able to bring in judges who are outside of our area, outside of our markets … (who are) going to tell you what they really think,” Frye said. “Sometimes we’re too close to the products to know where improvement needs to be.”

The Unity farm gained feedback — and several wins — at this year’s farm show. It took home second best in show for its 1795 reserve cheddar cheese and first place in the cheddar, Colby and Monterey Jack category.

Cheeses at the show are judged based on a variety of factors, including flavor, smell and appearance, Frye said.

This is the second year the farm has entered product. The Fryes began processing cheese at their farm in 2020.

Since then, they have gained a loyal base of customers and numerous awards.

The farm sells its cheeses in grocery stores across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Frye hopes to expand Pleasant Lane’s reach outside the state.

“For us, it’s now building on top of that success and hoping to drive some PA products outside of Pennsylvania,” Frye said.

Somerset County girl builds ‘special bond’ with rabbits

Sara Forry of Berlin hangs out with her rabbits, reads to them and sits on blankets with them.

Those activities also help the 10-year-old build trust with the rodents — and trust is necessary when Sara is showing her rabbits to judges and spectators at local, state and national competitions.

“When you have a showmanship rabbit, you have to work a special bond with the rabbit so it will let you handle it,” Sara said.

This week, she won best in show in her age group’s showmanship competition at the state farm show. Her chinchilla rabbit, Mark, helped her secure the win.

During the show, Sara said one judge told her she had good speaking skills and another complimented Mark’s coat.

She describes taking care of rabbits as a “hobby” and said she has made many friends since she began competing with them.

“There are so many people that I am friends with who I probably wouldn’t have met if it weren’t for rabbits,” she said.

Strong showing of Western Pa. beef cattle

Western Pennsylvania was represented well during the beef cattle showings, said Dustin Heeter, Penn State Extension livestock educator and farm show beef committee member.

Among the winners were Heeter’s twin daughters, Emma and Addison, who were awarded premier breeder and exhibitor. The Heeters take care of roughly 80 cows and 15 flocks of sheep on a 90-acre farm in Clarksburg, Indiana County.

Heeter began participating in the state farm show as a boy through 4-H. He said agricultural involvement reaps rewards, character building, camaraderie and life lessons in young people’s lives.

“You see the dedication of these families and the benefit that it truly does for them,” Heeter said. “You really recognize the depth and dedication and passion people carry for it.”