HARRISBURG, Pa. – The PA Farm Show isn’t just about agriculture; it’s also about education and competition.

69 News Reporter Sydney Kay has more from Harrisburg with a look at the event and how local 4H students are showing off their skills.

It’s a busy Tuesday morning at the PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.

4H students like Emily Laudenslager, and her goat George, have prepared for months to compete at the statewide event.

“Here there’s a lot of people and they all have really good animals too so it’s a lot more competitive here,” Emily Laudenslager said, of the Lehigh County 4H Program.

The pair is one of many who competed from our region this week. It’s a project that takes lots of time and practice.

“We brace them and making sure that they walk around the ring fluently instead of just stopping wherever they want,” said Malaina Rhoads, a Berks County 4H student.

Training an animal in winter weather is a challenge itself, but so is juggling responsibilities.

“During the summer, when we’re doing most of our shows, there’s no school so we can put more time into it and it’s a little easier to get things done,” Danica Rhoads said, a Berks County 4H student.

Working with livestock is like a full-time job, but so is dealing with crops like potatoes.

“I like the French fries that my dad makes,” said Carter Tallman, of the Berks County 4H Program.

But these 4H students specialize in potato judging.

“I’ve learned a lot about decision making and really being firm in your decision cause once you decide this is a good potato, this is a bad potato, you can’t go back on it,” said Emma Olmstead, a student with the Lehigh County 4H Program.

Looking for defects while also getting involved in the community, the PA Farm Show is the ultimate test and also a playground for these students who love to learn and help one another.

“I love the fact that I get to socialize because I’m homeschooled and I met two of my best friends at potato judging,” said Miranda Brown, a student in the Lehigh County 4H Program.

“The youth are the roots of livestock’s future, and I really want to see the youth learn showmanship, learn the industry, and become the best they physically can,” said Sam Lazarus, another student in the Lehigh County 4H Program.

The PA Farm Show is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 17.