Want to snuggle up to a miniature, shaggy Highland cow (and who doesn’t)? Watch Food Network star Chef Jet Tila in the kitchen? Witness in person a 1,000-pound butter sculpture dedicated to the majesty of cows?
It’s time for the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show, and the Otto-Eldred chapter of FFA will be in attendance Monday— weather permitting — for the state’s FFA Mid-Winter Convention.
“We are busy this year with 83 students attending,” said Brandon Witmer, O-E agricultural science teacher and FFA adviser. “Thirty-four of those students will be receiving a jacket, and seven will receive their FFA Keystone State Degree and will be recognized on stage.”
Those seven are Adelyn Bell, Sydney Blendinger, Kayla Burrows, Jaidyn Goodman, Rowan Kriner, Mckenzee Schultz and Anessa Steel.
These FFA members have earned/productively invested $1,000 or worked 300 unpaid hours in their supervised agricultural experience (SAE) projects, documented 25 hours of community service, have been an active part of the FFA chapter through planning and conducting events for at least 3 years, and more.
“They will receive their state degree at the Pennsylvania FFA Mid-Winter Convention during the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show in January,” the Facebook post noted. “Less than 5% of students across the state earn this honor and we are so proud of our recipients for achieving this milestone in their FFA career!”
Witmer said one student will earn special recognition at the Farm Show.
“We have a student who will be recognized on stage as one of the state’s top four finalists for the Keystone Star in Agribusiness,” he said. Adelyn Bell, who has been operating Addie’s Vegetable Stand since 2022 and donating the profits to community causes, has been named the Northern Keystone Regional Star winner.
Witmer explained, “The students can apply for star awards when they are receiving their Keystones. There are four different areas of the star award: Star Farmer, Star Agri-Science, Star Placement, and Star in Agribusiness. Students can apply if they feel like they have one of the best SAE projects in the state.
“The review goes regionally and then to the state. Since she placed first in the northern region, she is now a finalist for the state, and we will find out her placing on stage. This is for her Veggie Stand – It is very successful!”
When their day at the convention is over, they will have one more memorable activity before heading home.
Witmer said, “Once the convention is over, we will be taking a group photo outside of the New Holland Arena with Sen. Cris Dush.”
The O-E FFA expressed appreciation to the sponsors of the jacket program, stating on social media, “Your donation gave a student an opportunity to become active in the largest student leadership organization in the world. Thank you for being a part of their journey.”
