Warren County placed as the sixth Best of Show at the PA State Association of County Fairs. Youth participating included Warren County’s 4H Market Animal club (Multi-Species Club) who took part in the Farm Show youth livestock shows.

Six youth had animals to show where 3 made the market livestock auction. 4-H Leader, Stephanie McCadams-Smith is extremely proud of the work of the club.

“My favorite part of the farm show is definitely eating the cheese cubes,” said Shay Reilly, who was showing for her second year after being in 4-H for eight years. “On the other hand, the worst part of the farm show is letting my goat go.”

Miranda Gates, 4-H member for 9 years shared, “This was my first year showing at the Farm Show! The hardest part was saying goodbye to my pig, Miller!” Miller has taught me a lot in these short months such as confidence, to believe in myself, and to keep working hard. As the Warren County Dairy Princess was talking to everyone, seeing the joy in the little kids eyes was pretty amazing!! I am so happy that I got to experience this!”

Natalie Proper, “4-H member for 8 years shared that it was her 3rd year showing a pig at a farm show.

Harper Gates, 4-H member for 7 years, said, “This was my first year showing at the Pa farm show. I would have to say my favorite part of the Farm Show was hanging out with my family and friends there, having milkshakes and showing my pig, Bubbles. The hard part was that she didn’t make weight. She was 7 pounds under. In all, I had an amazing time down there and didn’t want to leave.”

Mackenzi Proper said, “4-H has taught me many things throughout the 6 years I have been in it. My favorite part of the farm show was showing my pig and hanging out with friends and family. As for all the great parts of it, my least favorite part was not making the 2026 market auction. Overall, I recommend it, and I had a lot of fun through all the chaos.”

Natalie Proper enjoyed showing her pig and of course the food. “The hardest part was walking my pig on the slaughter trailer and leaving the farm show,” said Proper. She highly recommends everyone to experience the Farm Show.

Sisters Annabelle and Adalyn Martin of Russell were participants in the talent and bake show contests. They won the talent competition at the Farm Show for ages 12 and under. The Martin girls have formed their own band, “Daughters of Thunder,” and sang their original song, “Waiting for a Sign,” produced by the Warren Music Conservatory.

In addition, Adalyn won 1st place in the PA Preferred Junior Baking Contest against 71 other contestants, who previously won 1st place for their county fair. Her Chocolate Dubai (Pistachio Kadafi) Macron Bars won first place at the 2025 Warren County Fair, which made her eligible to enter at the PA Farm Show. PA Preferred is a state-supported agricultural marketing program. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture launched the program to identify and promote food and other agricultural products grown, produced, processed, or made in Pennsylvania.

In her third year of showing, Makenzi Proper decided to raise a market hog for more experience. She is pictured at the Warren County Farm Show.

Last year, sister Annabelle won the PA preferred baking contest with her salted caramel French macarons and was asked to teach a cooking class while at the farmshow this year.

In a letter from Governor Shapiro, he described the Pennsylvania Farm Show as a powerful reminder of how deeply agriculture touches every corner of the state. Saving that it’s a driving force in our economy, generates $132.5 billion each year and supports nearly 600,000 jobs. Those that are showcased at the show stand on a legacy that is honored through smart investment and farmland preservation, with more than 6,600 farms and 650,000 acres safeguarded —-the most of any state in the nation. Shapiro commented on how Pennsylvania is leading the way and building the future of American agriculture. “As we honor America’s 250 years, the Farm Show affirms that Pennsylvania’s farms are woven into the very fabric of our nation.” The ingenuity passed down through generations and the commitment to caring for the land reflects the traditions that have strengthened and shaped the Commonwealth from the very beginning. “A promise to safeguard our heritage, nurture innovation alongside tradition, and ensure that as America marks 250 years, Pennsylvania continues to grow not only food, but opportunity, resilience, and community,” Shapiro said.

Miranda Gates

Harper Gates

Kathlynne May is pictured showing off her Showmanship skills at the PA Farm Show representing Warren County.

Warren County Fair Queen Alexis Stec is seen here with the iconic annual traditional 1,000 pound butter sculpture. This year’s theme highlighted the importance of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, which ranks second in the nation for butter production. It featured the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Pictured is Annabelle Martin with her mother, Danielle Martin, at the PA Preferred Baking Show, who taught a class together on the big stage at the PA Farm Show.

Annabelle and Adalyn Martin, who perform as the Daughters of Thunder, are pictured after winning the youth talent show at the PA Farm Show singing a song they wrote “Waiting for a Sign”. Annabelle is seen with the microphone shaped trophy while sister Adalyn holds her ribbon for the baking contest she won 1st place in.

Annabelle and Adalyn Martin girls pictured, left to right, sisters Adalyn and Annabelle and mom Danielle.