Sometime I was annointed media ambassador for the PA apple-growing community.  When it happened and who was responsible remain a mystery but it's under investigation.  Regardless, we've got a smattering of news items in the wake of our volunteering time at the PA Farm Show.  If you didn't know, the two apple stands at the Farm show are organized by the State Horticultural Assocation of Pennsylvania and 100% of the proceeds from these booths supports industry research that benefits all of us, from we growers to all you hungry apple-eating customers reading along.

First up was local FOX 43 television, WPMT in York when I do my best Brett Thackera impression and talk weather in this short clip. 

Then the next day, Penn State Glee Club Alumnus and meteorologist Brett Thackera's colleague Dennis Owens tries to get me to bad mouth organic farming.  Not taking the bait, folks.  Thankfully, he was able to catch up with PASA executive direction Brian Snyder who is much more qualified to speak on behalf of PA organic growers than I am!  Good job, Brian!  And by the way, I've coined the phrase, you may all use the term "local-er" with my permission.  You're welcome, world.

And of course, it's always nice to check in with one of my favorite Philly Food Folks, Ben of the Philly Food Feed.  He blogs farm show here - did a great job as usual.

Happy New Year, fruit lovers!  I'd mentioned to our email subscribers that we can be found volunteering at the PA Farm Show each year.  If you're unfamiliar with this event, it's one of the largest of its kind.  It's a great chance to learn a lot about agriculture and, perhaps more famously, a terrific place to eat delicious food!  On display will be a wide diversity of animals to check out - plenty of different dairy cows and livestock plus what seems like one hundred different breeds of poultry and fowl - always my favorite fascination since my first trip as a little ag kid.  Antique farm equipment, tons of events including very popular rodeo competitions, informative exhibitions from local FFA students and merchants from all PA ag sectors - there's a great "Farm Show Dectective" program for children.  Anyone can learn something new at the farm show - I learn something new every year.  Of course, the Food Court is the star of the show with booths staffed with volunteers from many of the PA ag commodities (PA apple dumplings, PA fresh cut fries, PA trout sandwiches, PA thick milkshakes, PA lamb stew & beef sandwiches) and it's all prepared on site!  The farm show is free to enter, though parking is $10.  All those funds go to the PA Dept. of Agriculture which has taken hard and disproportionatey large budget cuts every year.  Food court purchases support the commodity boards, that is to say all the profit from our delicious apple dumplings funds vital research in the apple industry - research that benefits growers on the whole east coast, not only in Pennsylvania.  If you think you can make time to attend, I know you won't be disappointed.  Plus... you can chat it up with us at the following dates and times:

Monday 1/10/11 - Ben is helping at the Apple Exhibition in the Main Hall from sometime right after a delicious Food Court lunch until close (8pm)

Wednesday 1/12/11 - The whole crew:  brothers Dave & John, Ben, and possibly (hopefully) a few other familar faces will be pouring cider, warming dumplings and making apple & peach sundaes at the Apple Booth inside the Food Court from 3-9pm

The Farm Show is held annually at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA - a 2 1/2 hr drive from Washington, DC, a 1 1/2 hour drive from Towson, MD, and less than two hours away from sunny Philadelphia, PA.

You're certain to learn at least a little bit, over-eat a little bit, and lend a big hand to local agriculture.