Ag Day Proponents Prove the Show Must Go On

1981 Susquehanna Dairy Princess and County Commissioner Betsy Arnold (above, center) was more than happy to join her modern counterparts, Susquehanna County Dairy Ambassadore Alivia Hughes (left) and Alternate Princess Victoria Clark during Ag Day on March 2. Participation in the Sizzlin’ Steak 4-H Club from Kingsley is largely a family affair for (top, from left) Josiah Harvatine, Rebecca Hricko, Holly and Luke Harvatine, Benjamin Hricko, Kali and Maci Harvatine, Luke Zipprich, Julie Harvatine, Megan and Emma Zipprich, and Will Harvatine.

Photos and Story by Rick Hiduk

(As published in the March 7 edition of the Susquehanna County Independent)

Ag Day is too big to be stopped by a snowstorm,” said Jeannette Vannan, assistant administrative assistant for the Penn State Extension, which served as the key sponsor for the event again this year. “It is a tradition on the first Friday of March.”

A powerful nor’easter blew up on the morning of March 2, keeping a number of vendors and visitors away from Elk Lake High School. Nonetheless, the 29th annual Susquehanna County Ag Day proceeded with a modified schedule.

Susquehanna County Fairy Promotion coordinator Evie Goff, who has participated every year, termed this year’s event as “one she will always remember,” as ferocious winds whipped heavy snow into two-foot drifts in the school parking lot. Goff was the top adult winner in the annual pie auction, when her apple, peach, blueberry pie sold to Charlie Clark for $210.

In order to get people back on the road toward home as quickly as possible, the itinerary for the day was condensed. But key elements of Ag Day were accomplished, including the annual legislative meeting of the Farm Bureau, attended by state representatives Tina Pickett and Jonathan Fritz and Susquehanna County Commissioner Betsy Arnold.

Both Susquehanna County 4-H and Dairy Promotion benefit from the proceeds of the pie auction, held shortly before the conclusion of the event. Youth winners and their buyers included: Kyle Bonavita, whose peanut butter pie sold to Sterling Technology for $160; Austin Bonavita, whose banana split pie was purchased by Rep. Fritz for $300; and Ava Hughes, whose lemon cheesecake pie sold to William Goff for $220.

In addition to Evie Goff, adult winners were Melinda Keeney, whose apple crumb pie was purchased by Willie Keeney for $135, and Lori Farley, whose crunch caramel apple pie sold to Earth Armour Mats for $145. Auctioneer Ronnie Sands conducted the sale with assistance from Diary Promotion representatives, including Alivia Hughes.

Vannan has no doubt that Susquehanna County Ag Day will survive Mother Nature’s poor timing this year, and that the 30th annual event can be the biggest ever. The staff of NAPA Auto Parts were taking part in the event for the first time on Friday, Vannan noted, and they were already looking forward to Ag Day 2019 as they left with their pie purchases.

Additional Photos:

(State Representative Tina Pickett (center) stops by the Claverack Rural Electric kiosk to chat with old friends Karen Evangelist (left) and Brian Zeidner.

Representing the Susquehanna County Conservation District at Ag Day were Robert Fearnly (left) and Wes Congdon.

Betty Dawes of Auburn Township (left) and her son, Larry Dawes of Pikes Creek (center) took an interest in a pelt and taxidermy display hosted by PA State Game Warden Eric Kelly.

Two of many Penn State Cooperative Extension representatives who helped to coordinate and conduct the activities of Susquehanna County Ag Day this year were Jeannette Vannan (left) and Lana Adams.

Helping to raise funds and bring awareness to Elk Lake Siftball on Friday were (from left) Samantha Hunsinger, Reese Warriner, and Olivia Voll.

What better comfort food to sell on a snowy day than Girl Scout cookies? Representatives of Springville Troop 51442 included (from left) Licie Konzyck, Grace Werkheiser, Shelby Kerr, and Amanda Voll.

Winter is a good time to prepare for the upcoming Tick and Lyme Disease season, said Susquehanna County Tick Borne Diseases Task Force representative Phyllis Konstas.

Coffee mugs were just a few of the gift items offered to Ag Day guests by Jane Osborn (left) and Cassidy Osborn from the Montrose office of the PA Department of Health.

An ever-popular treat on Ag Day is a dish of ice cream served up by Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion. Enjoying their favorite flavors are (front, from left) Liam, Eric and Molly Burke of Auburn Township and (back, from left) vendors Dave Huffman and Barb Fisher of Jersey Shore. Meanwhile, Rep. Jonathan Foster (back, right) stakes out his seat for the upcoming pie auction, while chatting with Adam Henning.

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