Despite Cancellations This Year, Pa. Farm Show Complex 'Doing Ok'

While the revenue-generating events schedule within the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center was nixed this past year, the Harrisburg-based venue remains on a solid financial footing, a state official reported recently.

The vitality of the 24-acre complex, long viewed as a sign of Pennsylvania’s largest industry, has come into question on multiple occasions this spring as lawmakers have been meeting with head staffers within the state’s various agencies.

In an average year, the Farm Show Complex hosts more than 80 events, ranging from car to craft shows. Each January, the building also hosts its namesake event, bringing together farmers and people interested in agriculture, though this year’s extravaganza was virtual.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly traditionally has appropriated $5 million annually from a resource fund, largely to cover the costs of the January farm show. Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has not asked for any additional funding this year.

The scenario prompted state Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., R-New Sewickley, to question Russell Redding, secretary of the Department of Agriculture, about the financial stability of the event.

“Where are we at?” Vogel, asked at a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting April 8. “Are we going to need any additional supplemental money to help keep the farm show going, due to lack of shows and business over there?”

In response, Redding said the facility has not been awash in a sea of red operating ink, thanks to an arrangement with another state agency that swiftly re-purposed the sprawling facility for PPP equipment storage in response to COVID-19.