The Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exposition, is a celebration of the state’s thriving agricultural industry. Each year, held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg from January 10th to January 17th, 2026, students from Pennsylvania and beyond flock to the show, eager to participate in its many experiences. For some, the highlight is receiving an award or earning their FFA jacket. Others enjoy showing animals in the ring or listening to prominent agricultural speakers. In all, the Farm Show offers a wealth of opportunities for all attendees. Some of these attendees were from the small Juniata Valley school district, specifically the Blue Juniata FFA. Many of them had amazing experiences. 

Throughout the week, there were showmen, Keystone winners, and jacket winners from Blue Juniata FFA. There weren’t many who showed this year compared to previous years, but they still went down and had a blast. 3 students showed animals, Sheridan McGargle showed Sheep, Lewis Webb showed Market Sheep, and Kaelyn Hawn showed rabbits. There were three Keystone Degree winners and three Jacket Recipients from Blue Juniata. The Convention is held in the New Holland Area of the Farm Show Complex, and this is where Keystone Degrees and Jackets are received. Every year, except when weather impedes, the Blue Juniata FFA takes a trip down to the Farm Show to watch the Mid-Winter Convention. This year was just like every other. On Monday, January 12th, the Blue Juniata FFA took a trip to Harrisburg. 

To receive your Jacket, you must be a first-year FFA member. A member then submits an application, finds a donor, and is chosen to receive their jacket at the convention. The first-year members of Blue Juniata FFA who received their jackets were Ayden Thompson, Lexi Espy, and McKenzi Harpster. This year, there were more jacket recipients than ever, with a total of 1,448 new FFA members. Recipient Lexi Espy says this about getting her jacket, “It felt great to stand there in white and then turn that white shirt into blue while watching everyone around me experience the same thing.” Keystone Degrees are awarded to members in their senior year of high school who have met a list of requirements. The three Keystone Degree Recipients from Blue Juniata were Mattie Casner, Trinity Hardy, and Peyton Houck. This year, a total of 536 Keystone Degree recipients were awarded throughout the state. As Pennsylvania FFA Alumni President, Sherisa Nailor, says, “It’s not about the success you achieve in life, it’s about the experiences you gain while striving for it.” That is something that every FFA member has to remember when in their blue jackets. 

As for the showing aspect, each student who went enjoyed it. On Saturday, January 10th, there was the market sheep show. From Blue Juniata FFA, Lewis Webb was the only member who showed a lamb. He did very well with it, placing 6th in his class. The day before is when the first Blue Juniata FFA member went in the ring. On Friday, January 9th, Kaelyn Hawn showed her French Lop Rabbits in the rabbit show. She placed first with both of her rabbits. The following Friday, the 16th, and Saturday the 17th, Sheridan McGargle showed her Dorset Yearling Ewe and Yearling Ram. She placed first with her ewe and second with her ram. Overall, they all did very well.

Another Blue Juniata FFA member did something a little different than the rest. Member Luke Mowrer worked at the Calving Corner all week. The Claving Corner is a premier educational exhibit at th Pensylvania Farm Show. It was started in 2017. The exhibit was created to foster relationships between dairy farmers and consumers through live experiences. As Blaine, an intern in the calving corner, host farmer in 2025, and now a volunteer, says, “The Claving Corner is a great place for the dairy industry to connect with families and consumers right where they are.” Since then, it has become one of the show’s most popular attractions. This year, 4 farms brought cows to the exhibit to have calves. It is expected that roughly 2 claves were born each day. Throughout the week, Luke worked at night to keep an eye on the cows to make sure there weren’t cows claving while everyone was asleep. When asked about his week, Luke says, “I enjoyed working in the calving corner since I got to help show the public what goes on in a dairy farm first hand.”

Ultimately, it was an amazing week for everyone. Whether they got an award, showed an animal, worked, or got put on their blue jacket for the first time, they enjoyed every minute.