Susquehanna County Ag Day, an annual event coordinated and hosted by the Penn State Cooperative Extension, moved to Montrose High School this year. The activities, which ranged from instructional classroom sessions to a large vendor fair, were fueled in part by Coterra Energy, Expand Energy, and Williams Companies, associates of which also greeted guests with information about their operations in the county and distributed some popular giveaway items. Montrose Feed & Supply was also a key Ag Day sponsor.
Organizers estimated that over 700 people attended and enjoyed a free ham and macaroni and cheese lunch, the cost of which was covered by Coterra Energy and Expand Energy.
“It was very nice of them to do this,” said Peggy Empet of Kingsley. Peggy and her husband, Dale, worked a dairy farm for many years that is now run by their son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Dana Empet, and their children.
Peggy was involved with Ag Day from the start, back when it was called Dairy Day, and has attended ever since. She, like many of the guests who roamed the halls of the high school, enjoyed free ice cream and cheese sticks dolled out by Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion youths, and checked out displays and vendor exhibits.
Guests also drooled at the sight of several tables full of pies entered for the annual baking contest and auction. Bonnie Morris of Coterra Energy, Shannon Brooks from Expand Energy, and Tammy Bonnice from Williams Companies served as judges for the pie contest. They named Abby Gretzula, Ava Hughes, and Amanda Voll as the youth winners and Fay Townsend, Kathleen Borove, and Holly Klim as the winners in the adult division.
“It was an honor and a privilege to be so involved with Ag Day again this year,” Bonnie stated. “I was happy to see so many people attend the event at its new location. We got to catch up with a lot of the good friends we’ve made over the years and make new ones.” Morris also purchased at least two pies during the auction; a company tradition to further support the efforts of those who make this event what it is.
“When I hear ‘Dairy Day’ or ‘Ag Day,’ I think of Susquehanna County,” said Tammy, a Susquehanna County native, who described the event as a reunion of sorts. “I know and love so many people who walk the halls.”
“Many of our landowners are farmers and ag producers,” Bonnie continued. “Not only does Coterra want to support their continued success, Ag Day is a great opportunity for us to stay connected to that community and understand what is important to them.”
“Agriculture is the backbone of Susquehanna County, and Williams goes above and beyond to make sure the community where our employees work, live, and play is supported and given back to,” Tammy concurred. “By the end of this event, I am exhausted, my throat hurts from talking so much, my belly is full, and I can’t tell you how many hugs I’ve gotten for the day.” Tammy also purchased two pies at the auction.
This was the first year that Expand Energy has been involved with Ag Day since they merged with Chesapeake and Southwestern Energy. Expand Energy Community Affairs Manager Betty Jo Morris staffed a table with coworker Shannon Brooks, who also served as a pie contest judge.
Betty Jo said that Ag Day was the largest event of its kind that she has attended so far on behalf of Expand Energy. “Agriculture is so important to all of the communities where we operate that it was crucial to be involved with an event that showcased agriculture,” she stated. “Also, with the merger of Chesapeake and Southwestern to Expand Energy, it was very beneficial to meet so many of our landowners that will now be part of Expand.”
In addition to meeting numerous stakeholders, Betty Jo said that she and Shannon enjoyed setting up alongside fellow operators in the gas industry and establishing a relationship with the Penn State Extension.
