Kristin Simmons of Lehighton started entering the Pennsylvania Farm Show when she was in her teens.

“I’ve been entering on and off through the years,” Simmons said.

She took some time off to raise her family, but has spent the last four years training children.

She learned the art of potato judging and has passed that knowledge to her daughter and granddaughter.

Both Simmons and her granddaughter, Morgan Myers, won prizes this year. Morgan, a 14-year-old student at Lehighton High School, won best of show for her lap quilt.

Morgan worked on the quilt in classes through 4-H. “I won at the Carbon County Fair and I thought I would enter that.”

She was surprised though to win with the nine-block quilt at the state level. “I thought it was a cool experience,” Morgan said.

Besides the classes, she worked on the quilt on and off with her mom, Carissa, planning it and laying out the blocks. Each block is different, but her favorite was a log cabin design. Her least favorite was a paper-pieced design. That was time consuming and more difficult. She’s been in 4H since she was eligible to join at age 8.

Both Simmons and Morgan entered in other categories.

Simmons is most proud of her needlework, a cross-stitch iris, and a table runner. Those won best of show in Carbon and Schnecksville.

On Tuesday, they spent the day at the farm show in the potato judging area. Morgan and her fellow 4-H club members competed, looking for 20 defects in 40 potato specimens offered.

Some have a green tinge, some have sunburn. Others have cracks, bruising. Students need to identify all of the problems.

Simmons has worked with them over the last six weeks. “It’s very competitive,” Simmons said. “What’s exciting is to see young kids going over them and practicing.”

Then they went through 100 potatoes, deciding what should be U.S. grade No. 1 potatoes and which ones didn’t make the cut.

Carbon County’s A team placed fifth and the B team placed 10th.

“Overall, they did really well,” Simmons said.

Simmons enjoys going to the show and reconnecting with all the people she has met over the years. She hoped the students will also form those bonds.

The farm show

The show showcases the state’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry, which provides 593,000-plus jobs.

Pennsylvania ranks first in preserved farms, farmers under age 35, mushrooms, poultry, organic livestock, poultry and eggs.

The state ranks second in craft beer, butter, calves, ice cream, Swiss cheese and farm-to-consumer sales.

The show was in full swing this week with animals on show from throughout the state. There are crafts, brews, wines, mushrooms, Christmas trees and more. If it’s grown or made in Pennsylvania, it’s probably on display at the show.

State agencies had displays to promote water conservation, discuss flooding, soils and more. Pennsylvania State Police, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the game commission and the fish and boat commission are all there to answer questions.

The food is a major draw, with foods grown in Pennsylvania and turned into culinary delights. Offerings include, batter-dipped vegetables, mushroom soup, mushroom burgers, broccoli soup, pizza, pulled pork, pork ribs, pierogies, potatoes, goat barbecue. Save room for apple dumplings, cider doughnuts or a cup of cider, maple cotton candy, roasted nuts, slushies and the favorite funnel cake.

Don’t worry, you’ll walk it off as you go from one exhibit hall to the next.

Vendors have wares from wooden toys to cowboy hats, beef jerky to bottles of wine, farm equipment and mattresses.

Cooking and craft demonstrations are scheduled daily.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health was offering free COVID-19 test kits, flu shots and a handy tick remover. Free wildflower seeds were available to help the pollinators.

And if you go, don’t forget to stop for a picture at the butter sculpture. Carved from 1,000 pounds of butter, it highlights this year’s theme: Rooted in Progress.

The show, located in the Farm Show complex, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, closes today. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Watch for signs and message boards about parking.

Parking is available in several off complex lots with buses running constantly to and from the show, including a handicapped equipped van. The shuttle is included in the $15 parking fee. Admission to the show is free.

Go to farmshow.pa.gov for more information.