Givin' a durn about bees since 2009

Farm Show 2026

philadelphiabeekeepersguild

philadelphiabeekeepersguild

This year I volunteered for the first time for the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association (PSBA) at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. I have been attending the Farm Show intermittently since my daughter did a project about “where food comes from” in 3rd grade. The project culminated in a class field trip to the PA Farm Show and I volunteered as an adult chaperone. My daughter has now graduated from college, so it’s been a few years.

There is always lots to see and learn: from live demonstrations of how to shear sheep and spin wool, to best in show exhibitions of various crafts such as quilting, gingerbread houses, and such. My wife and daughter watched a demonstration of a calf being born. There are competitions for farm animals (various categories of horses, sheep, cows, lamas, ducks, rabbits, etc), farm products (mushrooms, apples, nuts, etc) and various baked goods such as pies and breads.
There were also many Pennsylvania wines, ciders and beer for tasting and buying.

A person examining Christmas trees in a festive indoor setting, surrounded by various types of artificial trees and red bows.
A vendor at a cider event stands in front of a display featuring various bottles of cider, with bags on the table. A bright Pennsylvania Cider Guild banner is visible in the background.
A group of women in traditional dress demonstrating fiber arts at a fair, surrounded by various weaving and spinning equipment, with a crowd in the background.
Cows resting on straw in a barn, with signs displaying their names and lineage in the background.
Rabbits displayed in cages at a pet show, featuring various breeds including Standard Chinchilla, American Chinchilla, Giant Chinchilla, Champagne D'Argent, and Czech Frost.
A wooden display stand filled with various types of pumpkins and squashes, labeled with tags, at a market or agricultural event.
Sign displaying the culinary stage schedule for Mushroom Day at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on January 14, including demonstration times and participating chefs.
A wooden tray filled with various types of mushrooms, including yellow, gray, and black varieties, placed on a blue patterned tablecloth.

I volunteered at PSBA’s educational booth where they have an elaborate observation hive setup with two hives and a large central screened box where the bees can “fly.” We answered questions about honeybees and offer various pamphlets and information about beekeeping. There is also a honey competition with rows of best in show of light, medium, and dark honeys and other honey products. I particularly enjoyed various history and practice of beekeeping exhibits by different beekeeping clubs from throughout PA. Lancaster Beekeepers Club had an antique Huber “leaf” hive. Perhaps the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild could develop and present an exhibit someday? Maybe celebrate our native son Langstroth and the invention of the movable frame hive?

PSBA also has a large honey selling booth and a honey ice cream and waffle stand. They also do a honey extraction demonstration at one of the smaller demonstration arenas.

I volunteered on two separate days – Sunday evening and Wednesday morning. The weekends are really crowded at the show (I heard that Saturday was even more packed), and the parking situation is a bit frustrating (funneling everyone into a couple of entering lanes). If you don’t like crowds, I recommend visiting or volunteering on a weekday, if you can. Although, each day has a different set of activities and demonstrations, so check the schedule if you’re interested.

– Eric Schoefer, Guild Board Member, Apiary Committee Leader

,
, ,