HARRISBURG, Pa. — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding welcomed a talented field of national competitors as competition resumed at The Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE) on Thursday, October, 6. In an official opening ceremony, The Pennsylvania Livestock Association (PLA) inducted Eugene Wingert of St. Thomas, Franklin County and Wingert Farms Show Cattle into the Pennsylvania Livestock Hall of Fame honoring his decades of service and advocacy for the agriculture industry in Pennsylvania. Wingert’s portrait will hang in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center among other honorees since 1972.
PLA also posthumously recognized Lloyd Hess of Willow Street, Lancaster County, who passed away earlier this year, for his many years of committed service to Pennsylvania youth agriculture organizations, the association and countless contributions to Pennsylvania agriculture.
“Lloyd Hess exemplified humble, devoted service to Pennsylvania agriculture and to raising generations of leaders who are feeding us today and will feed us tomorrow,” Secretary Redding said. “The state’s livestock industry owes him a debt of gratitude and will long remember his outstanding barbecue, but more importantly, the lasting difference he made through his character and service to our agriculture family.”
The association awarded scholarships to six Pennsylvania students; Lydia Brown of Huntingdon Co., Ella Brummer of Perry Co., Grace Prout of Berks Co., and Chloe Stonesifer of York Co., all attending Penn State University; Â Haylee Riley of Huntingdon Co., who attends Juniata College, and Ben Tornambe of Montgomery Co., who attends Lasalle University.
Taylor Garges of Telford Bucks Co. and Caleb Miller of Marietta, Lancaster Co. were recognized as outstanding 4-H members. Outstanding FFA members recognized included Kiersten Baker of Huntingdon, Co. and David Bell of Chester County.
National competitions ranging from draft horses and halflinger ponies on halters and in team hitches and pulls, to sheep, and beef cattle, as well as collegiate and high school livestock judging, and the Keystone Classic Barbecue Competition continue throughout the weekend. Find the full schedule of events and more information at keystonelivestockexpo.com
–Shannon Powers, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture