What better way to kick-off the Pennsylvania Farm Show than a butter sculpture made of 1,000 pounds of butter! Unveiled today, the sculpture is sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, from butter donated by Land O’ Lakes in Carlisle, Pa.
The sculpture pays tribute to dairy farm families and depicts a dairy cow, as well as a dairy farmer pouring a glass of milk at the breakfast table with family members.
“Pennsylvania’s dairy industry is the largest sector of our state’s number one economic enterprise – agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “With more than 98 percent of our dairy farms being family-owned, dairy producers are truly committed to providing high-quality milk for consumers while playing an integral role in supporting our local communities, the environment and economy.”
Pennsylvania is home to more than 7,100 dairy farmers and 537,000 dairy cows. Dairy-related businesses contribute $7 billion annually to the state’s economy, spending about 85 percent of their income locally, and providing more than 40,000 jobs.
“This year, we are proud to salute the dairy farmers of Pennsylvania,” said Vernon Horst, a Franklin County dairy farmer and chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “This sculpture marks the 20th consecutive year that dairy farmers, through their dairy promotion programs, are able to share a spectacular sculpture at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
“The butter sculpture is a creative way to bring the dairy industry to the forefront of the media, and is an opportunity for dairy farmers to connect with and educate the general public in a unique way about producing milk, cheese, yogurt and butter.”
Sculptor Jim Victor, of Conshohocken, Montgomery County, began crafting the life-size design in mid-December and finished just in time for the Farm Show. He also creates sculptures using chocolate and cheese.