Jan. 4—State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was joined Tuesday by canine companion Honey Bee for a tour of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center.

The tour was to highlight new features and returning favorites, with a focus on the 2023 Farm Show's theme, "Rooted in Progress."

On their tour, Redding and Honey Bee visited some must-see exhibits and encouraged Pennsylvanians to stop by the show to check out new features and old favorites.

Exhibits toured included:

—Conservation and Sunflower Exhibits, GIANT Expo Hall; a look at how Pa. farmers are protecting precious soil and water resources, how home gardeners can do their part and what role sunflowers can play, not just as a stunning selfie backdrop, but in protecting our environment.

—Forrester Farm Equipment Ltd. display, GIANT Expo Hall; features massive machines, including the New Holland FR Forage Cruiser, which will be on display, with a chance to learn about high-tech equipment that helps farmers make progress in both efficiency and conservation.

—Department of Agriculture Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement booth, GIANT Expo Hall; includes a table with dog license applications — love your dog, license your dog — and a selection of sweet dogs that will be hanging around.

—Pennsylvania Hardwoods exhibit/WoodMobile, Main Hall; a chance to learn about Pennsylvania hardwoods, their sustainability and their beauty at the refreshed hardwoods exhibit, featuring a fan favorite, Pennsylvania WoodMobile, which educates visitors about state forests and the sustainable forest products industry.

—So You Want to Be a Farmer exhibit, Main Hall; an interactive information exhibit, fun for all ages, where visitors can pick the brains of professionals from the new PA Agriculture Business Development Center, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, Rodale, PA No-Till Alliance and more.

—World War II Homefront window display, Maclay Street lobby, and WWII display, GIANT Expo Hall; a chance to see some WWII Homefront posters to get a glimpse of the times and to visit the GIANT Expo Hall to see a WWII display commemorating the Pennsylvania Farm Show's role during the war.

Familiar offerings

The 2023 Farm Show will open Friday and continue through Jan. 14.

Familiar exhibits include animal judging, farm equipment displays, wine and beer competitions and baking and cooking contests.

On Jan. 12, the Farm Show will feature Service Members, Veterans and their Families Day, which will include the popular Army-Navy Cook-off at 1 p.m., as well as other cooking demonstrations and much more.

As always, the food court will be open, offering the chance to purchase popular Pa. foods or a new orange cream milkshake.

Also, as a reminder, a nursing station will be located in the Cameron St. Lobby.

For the kids

The Farm Show will also feature fun and educational experiences, including these top activities and stops:

—Kids can become Farm Show AgExplorers by visiting different stations as part of a unique program that teaches visitors of all ages about agriculture through fun, interactive and hands-on learning.

—The new Ag Immersion Lab, sponsored by GIANT in partnership with the PA Friends of Agriculture Foundation, in the GIANT Expo Hall, features fun things for kids to see and learn.

—Hands-on learning activities for kids of all ages are included at Destination Dairy in Northeast Exhibit Hall, Moo U interactive and the STEM learning area.

—Families can check out goat snuggling each day in the New Holland Arena.

—In the Meet the Breeds exhibit, participants can find out which dog is best for their family.

—GIANT Expo Hall will feature a giant sunflower display with a chance to take a selfie.

—Older kids and teenagers can participate in Judge Along for cookies, potatoes, floral arrangements and more to learn about the Farm Show's judging processes.

—There will be face painting and lots of places to shop in the New Holland Arena.

To learn more about the 2023 Farm Show, including an up-to-date schedule of events, visit the show's website, www.farmshow.pa.gov.