Women are producing nearly half of the world's food – that’s not new. But the United Nations has designated 2026 The International Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight the crucial role of women in agriculture, address the challenges they face, and promote gender equality in the field and beyond. Throughout 2026, starting with the Farm Show, join the PA Department of Agriculture to celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvania Women who are “Growing A Nation’ through agriculture.
Learn about Pennsylvania women in all facets of agriculture, the challenges they face and progress they have made while innovating to give consumers what they want, integrate technology into their processes, and make their ag businesses more sustainable financially and environmentally. Hear how you can support women in increasing access to resources like land, credit, education, and technology. Check out these PA facts and Ask a PA Woman in Ag to tell you how they are Growing a Nation!
Back by popular demand after gobbling the praise in last year’s debut — youth and their turkeys will strut their stuff and show off how well they’ve raised their birds during Turkey Showmanship. Market turkeys will be shown and included in the Jr. Market Livestock Sale that helps fund the animals the students raise in the coming year.
New in the snuggle bunny realm: Silver Tipped Steel for Netherland Dwarf, Smoke Pearl for Mini Satin, Tortoise Shell for Dwarf Papillon join the fluffy faves in the line-up of breeds.
Celebrate Pennsylvania’s culinary heritage or grow the limits of your culinary imagination and knowledge at the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection Stage in the Main Hall. Every day, every hour, meet an all-star line-up of celebrity chefs, kicking off on opening day with Jen Heasley, Author of The Game Day Kitchen and Host of “Cooking with the Pros” on CBS 21 and Bryan Voltaggio, American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and author, “Top Chef” television series alum, and James Beard Award semifinalist.
Visit the Culinary Connection Stage to season your day with local flavors and inspiration, sample celebrity recipes prepped by future stars from an expanded line-up of six PA culinary schools, grab a cookbook, and begin your own PA farm-to-table culinary adventures!
Also new on stage this year, chefs will be paired onstage with the farmers who produced the ingredients making their menu magic happen, and experts from Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Food Safety will share tips on preparing your feast safely.
While you’re at the Culinary Connection Stage – hop across the aisle to check out a full menu of daily classes at So, You Want To Be a Farmer? Get in the act of growing our nation’s future by reducing food waste, homesteading, growing your own food or flowers for profit or fun, or just improving the soil in your hobby garden.
And just next door, visit the new PA Preferred® Market Stand for a closer look at products that proudly bear the blue and yellow checkmark telling you they are grown or produced right here at home – born in the Keystone State, just like our great nation!
In the Advanced 4-H Food- Global Gourmet Division: Cassava Cake, Grissini, and Apfel Torte join the already extensive baked bonanza of delights.
Also debuting on the menu front in 2026, a PA Spirits Competition joins fan-favorite cheese, wine, cider, and beer competitions in the Farm Show made-in-PA line-up. In its first year, the contest will be an exhibition, with awards, and with sampling and sales in the next two years. Find out what distillery’s finest will win the first year’s bragging rights and enhance a menu near you in 2026!
And try the latest innovation and internet sensation growing in the Mushroom Capitol of the World – sip some Mushroom Coffee from the Mushroom Farmers of PA in the Food Court.
Throughout the show, Pennsylvania’s proud history and prosperous future will be demonstrated on stage and in the showring with special competitions highlighting the coming year’s America250PA celebrations. Patriotic crafts and historical displays ranging from edible art with pies, pickles, nuts, and veggies; to floral displays; red, white, and blue wreaths, quilted masterpieces; and even heritage swine breeds — take a tour of who we are as Pennsylvanians, what we have done and what we are poised to do in the next 250 years. Be sure to congratulate the next class of Bicentennial and Century Farm Families who have passed down their farms through the family for a century or two and applaud the Leopold Conservation Awardees who are models of conservation that will preserve farms and improve our water and soil in the coming century.
Stop by the America250PA booth in GIANT Expo Hall to meet featured PA iconic food brands who are 'Growing A Nation' and feeding our economic future.