What’s better than a pat of butter? How about 1,000 pounds of butter sculpted into art?
The annual Pennsylvania Farm Show butter sculpture was unveiled today. Sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, the sculpture depicts a dairy farmer providing milk to children playing on a jungle gym and tossing a ball with a football player.
Sculpted by Jim Victor of Conshohocken, Pa. the 2011 buttery masterpiece represents Fuel Up to Play 60, the partnership between the National Dairy Council and the National Football League. Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages children to eat a balanced diet including low-fat milk and dairy foods and to be active for at least 60 minutes each day.
“Dairy farmers are proud to contribute to this important issue facing youth in the United States,” said Vernon Horst, a Franklin County dairy farmer and chairman of Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “The butter sculpture is a reminder that we work hard to make safe, nutritious and wholesome dairy products for our children to enjoy.”
“The butter sculpture is a fun way to gear up for the Pennsylvania Farm Show while drawing attention to the state’s leading agricultural industry –dairy – that contributes nearly $7 billion to the economy,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding.
The sculpture was crafted from butter donated by Land O’ Lakes in Carlisle, Pa.
The unveiling ceremony included a performance by the Philadelphia Eagles pep band, cheerleaders and team mascot, Swoop. Mike Quick, color analyst for Eagles Radio and a former Eagles all-pro wide receiver, participated in the program.
The public can view the butter sculpture from Jan. 8-15 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pa.
Source: Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association