Another PA Farm Show is in the history books, and Coterra Energy was there to lend support in a variety of ways. Corporate sponsorships and other expenditures will help to ensure that those in need across the Commonwealth have a steady supply of milk and continue to encourage youths in northern Pennsylvania who raise and show livestock.

On opening day, Jan. 7, Coterra was one of five “Keystone Sponsors” to contribute $25,000 toward the Fill a Glass With Hope campaign. PA Agricultural Secretary Russell Redding led a toast among supporters and representatives of Feeding Pennsylvania, the PA Dairyman’s Association and the American Dairy Association.

PA Farm Show Fill A Glass With Hope Toast
PA Ag Sec. Russell Redding leads the toast for the annual Fill a Glass With Hope with famous PA Farm Show milkshakes.

Our good friend, Jane Clements, executive director of Feeding America, was on hand to provide us with some sobering statistics of people who need food sustenance right now and the success of her program. Since 2015, Fill a Glass With Hope has provided more than 27 million servings of milk to Pennsylvania families.

Bill desRosier congratulates Susquehanna County 4H member Aiden Empet for his success at the PA Farm Show in showing and selling his lamb.

“No one should be denied access to fresh milk, especially the half million children in Pennsylvania who are facing hunger,” said Jane, and we agree. Coterra’s contribution was part of $180,000 raised that day to support the program.

On Jan. 11, we took part in the youth livestock auction with Rob Boulware from Seneca Resources and Cassandra Coleman of America250PA, for which Coterra also provides financial support. Together we worked to boost bidding on lambs, goats and pigs that youths from Pennsylvania’s northern tier had brought to the Farm Show. Rob concentrated on the western end of the state, while Coterra focused on Susquehanna County. Together, we helped Cassandra enjoy her first auction experience and successfully bid on animals from Susquehanna and Wayne counties.

By the time the event was over, we had collectively purchased nearly two dozen animals that were then donated to the Central PA Food Bank. Coterra is proud to support the teens who participated in the 106th Farm Show. We’re always impressed by the dedication, hard work, and determination these individuals demonstrate by raising and entering livestock.

Congratulations to all the participants! The lifelong skills learned from this agricultural activity will help you in your careers.