The 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show took place from January 10 to 17, 2026. The Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the United States, attracting millions of visitors across the country, and showcases everything from livestock competitions to cooking demos featuring products from local farms.
This year’s theme at the Farm Show was “Growing a Nation,” celebrating Pennsylvania’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage. Students from Shippensburg University had the opportunity to serve as press interns for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, in which they covered various events, activities and notable figures across the PA Farm Show.
Jayden Pohlman, Madison Sharp, Luke Rainey, Megan Sawka and Caroline Cooper all served as press interns at the event. Their involvement not only showcased their abilities as communication professionals but also the passion that they have for the state and its agricultural history.
Pohlman, a communications/journalism/media (CJM) major with a visual media concentration and minors in biology and history, as well as the editor-in-chief at The Slate, expressed her excitement regarding the internship. “When I first heard about the opportunity to photograph the Farm Show, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect internship. This experience allowed me to blossom as a photographer and affirmed my admiration for farmers,” she shared. Growing up on a family farm that has been operating since 1814, Pohlman feels a personal connection to agriculture. “I’ve spent the last 21 years of my life on the farm, and I take great pride in our legacy.”
She also shared how interning at the Farm Show fueled her appreciation for farmers like her late father, who Pohlman stated, “sacrificed so much every single day to keep food on the table for people across the country.”
CJM Major with a concentration in visual media and a student assistant for the Wood Honors College and multimedia editor at The State, Madison Sharp, had the following to say regarding her experience as an intern at the Farm Show:
“Working as a press intern with the PA Department of Agriculture was life-changing. The fast-paced nature of the event taught me a lot, and getting to photograph the rodeo was an incredible experience I’ll never forget,” she said.
Luke Rainey, a dual major in political science and CJM, and President of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at Shippensburg, emphasized the variety of events offered at the Farm Show. “There are a few places that replicate the variety of events – from animal showcases to public policy discussions. It’s been an honor to be a part of this celebration of Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry,” Rainey stated.
Megan Sawka, CJM major with a concentration in public relations, managing editor at The Slate and a student assistant for the Wood Honors College, spoke about how her continued experience as a press intern has facilitated her growth over the years. “It’s exciting to see my growth and how much I’ve learned. The passion displayed by everyone at the Farm Show reinforces the importance of community in agriculture,” she noted.
The press interns from Shippensburg University made a significant impact on the event – from taking photos and video, editing content and interacting with various agricultural industries, their involvement provided around-the-clock coverage at the PA Farm Show.
