Community

Leading a Legacy: 2027 state Farm Show theme celebrates ag traditions

2027 state Farm Show theme celebrates ag traditions

The 2027 Pennsylvania Farm Show will celebrate generations of agricultural tradition and leadership with the theme "Leading a Legacy," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced Wednesday while at Winterside Farm in Lenhartsville, Berks County. The farm is the home of Roger and Nancy Bowman, who have raised sheep for 53 years. The family has participated in the Farm Show for 38 years.

"Pennsylvania has never been afraid to lead," Redding said. "From leading the nation in preserved farms to launching the nation's first Agricultural Innovation program and state-level Farm Bill, leadership is about what we pass on to the next generation."

The Bowman family's sheep operation illustrates the theme, according to Redding.

The Bowmans, both retired educators, have competed with wool and Corriedale sheep at the Farm Show and other fairs while volunteering with fairs, 4-H clubs and livestock shows.

Their adult children, Mike Bowman and Stephanie McGargle, and seven grandchildren have also competed or contributed to the family's success at the Farm Show and other fairs.

Mike Bowman operates a landscaping business he started with money earned from prizewinning lambs. McGargle is a Penn State University poultry scientist. Both continue to volunteer at fairs and livestock shows and lead youth 4-H clubs.

"What began as a small sheep farm in 1973 has grown into something far greater than we ever imagined -- a legacy built on raising livestock, developing young leaders, and educating others about agriculture," Roger Bowman said.

Winterside Farm has recorded 50 entries, 31 top-three finishes, eight first-place finishes and two special honors during the past three Farm Shows. In 2026, the farm won Best Fleece, Reserve Champion Ewe, First-place Ewe Yearling Pair and a Good Housekeeping Award.

Granddaughter Evangeline "Eve" McGargle of Huntingdon County received a Farm Show Foundation Scholarship at the 2026 Farm Show to support her studies at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"The Farm Show, my family traditions, and our shared passions are deeply entwined," McGargle said. "I'm proud to have received a scholarship from the Farm Show Foundation, because I feel supported by a community that is woven into my family's legacy."

The 2027 Pennsylvania Farm Show will be held Jan. 9-16 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The eight-day event typically draws about 500,000 visitors.

The show will feature agricultural competitions, the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, the Farm Show Food Court, cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred Culinary Connection stage and more than 1 million square feet of agricultural exhibits and educational activities.

State Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, said the theme reflects Pennsylvania's agricultural heritage.

"Leading A Legacy is a good theme because it speaks to Pennsylvania's long agricultural heritage and the generations of farmers and traditions that shaped it," Schwank said.

The Department of Agriculture said Pennsylvania's more than 48,800 farms support about 600,000 jobs and contribute $132.5 billion annually to the state's economy.

Information about the 2027 Farm Show is available at farmshow.pa.gov.