Locals win big at state farm show
The 102nd Pennsylvania Farm Show, held Jan. 6-13 in Harrisburg, drew thousands of participants and spectators for a celebration of agriculture.
The show, themed “Strength in Our Diversity,” featured nearly 14,000 competitive exhibits, commercial exhibits and educational and entertainment events.
Many Washington and Greene County residents, including Greene County 4-H Rabbit Club members Cara and Jenna Longstreth, took home prizes.
Jenna won “Best Opposite of Breed” with her Dwarf Hotot in the breed competition and, participating in her first state level competition, brought home the champion title in the “First Year” category against competitors of all ages. Cara earned a third place finish in the senior division (14 and over) with a score of 99.
From left, Nick and Dennis Barney of Eighty Four, Duane and Valerie Snee and William Palmer of SVJ Farm, Amity, with their champion female.
Duane and Valerie Snee of SVJ Farm, Amity, and Nick and Dennis Barney of Eighty Four won Champion female. SVJ Farm, premiere breeder and exhibitor at the show, also took the Grand Champion bull prize.
More than 400 FFA members from across the state received Keystone Degrees at the Pennsylvania FFA Mid-Winter Convention during the farm show. Only high school seniors or graduates in their third year of membership are eligible to apply. The candidates must have demonstrated leadership abilities and earned or productively invested at least $1,000 and/or worked at least 300 hours in a supervised agricultural experience program. Only three percent of the more-than 8,000 Pennsylvania FFA members qualify each year for a Keystone Degree.
From left, HG Parkinson FFA chapter adviser Jodie Hoover, and members Mason Sweetie, Karis Zafaras, Destini Hinton and Riley Carter
Five members of the HG Parkinson FFA Chapter at Fort Cherry High School earned their Keystone Degree. Mason Sweetie earned his degree with an employment project. Karis Zafaras earned her degree with projects on poultry. Destini Hinton earned her degree with an employment project. Riley Carter earned her degree with projects greenhouse production and with an employment project. Raeann Silassy earned her degree with projects on gardening and with an employment project.
Pictured, from left, are Trinity FFA members Bailee Seaman and Ashley Burbank.
Three members of the Trinity FFA Chapter at Trinity High School earned their Keystone Degree this year. Bailee Seaman earned her degree with market goat, market hog, floral design assistant and off farm employment projects. Ashley Burbank earned her degree with therapeutic dogs and breeding boer goat projects. Lindsey Haney earned her degree with laying hens and babysitting projects.
From left, West Greene Chapter FFA members Garret Ross, Caitlin Orndorff, Ashley Rogers and Zach Abbott
Four West Greene Chapter FFA members also received their Keystone Degrees. Garret Ross received his degree for lawn care service entrepreneurship. Ashley Rogers earned a degree for sheep finishing. Zach Abbott’s degree was in job placement. Caitlin Orndorff, who received a degree for horse breeding, poultry production and event barn entrepreneurship, also received the Pennsylvania State Star in Agribusiness award for demonstrating outstanding record keeping, understanding of marketing and abilities in improving agriculture in her community. She will represent Pennsylvania in the area of agribusiness at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Mass., in September.
Other award winners included Darren Crouse of Sycamore; Logan Willis of Jefferson; Abigail Willis of Jefferson; James and Jackie Campbell of Sycamore; Holden Headlee of Waynesburg; Rodney Parson of Graysville; Curtis Patton of Spraggs; Ryan Grecoe of Washington; Alexus Grecoe of Washington; Julie Policz of Jefferson; Courtney Dahlquist of Washington; Daniel Sibert of Washington; Cailey Dahlquist of Washington; Zachary Rohaley of Washington; Jeffrey McConn Jr. of West Alexander; Logan A. Smith of Washington; Andrew Perkins of Amity; Austin W. Smith of Eighty Four; Maura Smith of Eighty Four; Cori Giacek of Washington; Ella Smith of Eighty Four; Alexa Miles of McDonald; Zack McCloskey of Scenery Hill; Katie Aliberti of Washington; Brooke Moore of Claysville; Ashlie McCullough of Avella; Bayla Ivcic of Bentleyville; Brooke A. Deemer of Washington; Austin Clark of Washington; Mackenzie McClure of Eighty Four; Caitlin McCullough of Avella; Dakota McCullough of Avella; Brittany Janusey of Eighty Four; James Hackinson of Hickory; Brady Moore of Claysville; Riley Schinkovec of Canonsburg; Madison Ryburn of Washington; Brandon Janusey of Eighty Four; Kalvin Hrutkay of Bentleyville; Brooke Janusey of Eighty Four; Eric Putnak of Eighty Four; Ensley Clark of Washington; Jordan Schinkovec of Canonsburg; Dustyn Montgomery of Washington; Mackenzie Simpson of Burgettstown; Amanda Cole of Bentleyville; Larry Litman of Washington; Jayme Kosecek of Charleroi; Mae Coburn of Prosperity; Emelia Hickman of Washington; Kathie Hunnell of Washington; Myrta Litman of Washington; Corless Haburchak of Monongahela; Lou Ann Kaufman of Washington; Diana Lloyd of Canonsburg; Allison Litman of Washington; and Mike and Sue Toth of Monongahela.