HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Calving Corner, Pennsylvania’s dairy cow birthing center, will be featured at the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show on Jan. 5–12, 2019, in Harrisburg. This exhibit will encompass 7,500 square feet, taking up half of the Northeast Building in the Farm Show Complex. Attendees can experience the miracle of life while learning about the care and stewardship that happens on today’s dairy farms from the many educational displays that are part of the exhibit.
This addition will highlight the miracle of birth that takes place every day on a Pennsylvania dairy farm. Under the watchful eyes and assisting care of their dairy farm owners and veterinarians, 16 calves will enter the world and take their first steps during the Farm Show. Four family dairy farms will select four cows to attend the Calving Corner, with hopes that two calves will be born each day of the Farm Show.
The four farms participating in this year’s Calving Corner include: Rohrer Dairy Farms owned by Bob, Mike and Tony Rohrer of Washington Boro, Pa.; Mount Rock Jerseys owned by Francis Mains, Dan Mains and Kyle Kotzmoyer of Newville, Pa.; Star Rock Farms owned by Abe, Rob and Tom Barley of Conestoga, Pa.; and Hess Dairy Farms owned by Joe Hess, Aaron Hess and Tom Stoltzfus of Mount Joy, Pa.
Farm Show attendees are encouraged to visit the Calving Corner during the themed days throughout the week. For the first half of the week, attendees can participate in “Thank A Farmer” days by creating postcards that will be sent to Pennsylvania’s dairy producers. In conjunction with Farm Show’s Military Appreciation Day, visitors can thank a service person with a postcard beginning on Thursday, January 10. Thanks to The Hershey Company a sweet milk chocolate treat is available for those who complete an appreciation postcard, while supplies last. Be sure to also join the Calving Corner for Women in Ag Day on Jan. 8 and Milk Day on Jan. 11.
The Calving Corner is made possible by the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, Friends of Farm Show Foundation, Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, American Dairy Association North East, Center for Dairy Excellence, Mid-Atlantic/AgChoice Farm Credit, Land O’Lakes Foundation, Professional Dairy Producers Foundation, Northeast Agriculture Education Foundation, Inc. and additional dairy organizations with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
— Center for Dairy Excellence