Sarah Brockhoff, center top, and her mother Tracie with Brockwood Belgians helps to prepare their team of horses for a show during the 103rd Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg in 2019. This year's event will be conducted virtually. For all events, go to farmshow.pa.gov.

Not even a pandemic can stop the 105-year tradition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, which kicked off its 2021 event Saturday.

Naturally, the pandemic did force a few changes, like forcing the exhibits and events online.

“For 105 years there has been a Pennsylvania Farm Show, through good times and bad. Feast and famine, war and peace, and now a pandemic,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “While this year's show is different, you will find it is still packed with pride for this essential industry.”

Redding said the last year has shown the importance of agriculture, and has outlined a theme for this year's virtual farm show: In addition to cultivating food, attendees will cultivate tomorrow.

“So this week, we are cultivating a brighter tomorrow: Cultivating tomorrow's workforce with daily stem demonstrations and activities for kids, because they are the future; cultivating tomorrow's meals with culinary inspirations; and cultivating tomorrow's innovation and policy with panel discussions throughout the week,” Redding said.

Through Sunday, those interested can watch 20 “takeovers” on the Farm Show's Instagram account, which will show the inner workings of beekeeping, goat farming and other agricultural intrigues; from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., viewers can watch the live beehive and duckling pond video feeds; and for the first time, Pennsylvanians can participate in a create-your-own butter sculpture competition, with entries due at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Among participants will be Harvest Valley Farms in Valencia. The farm will join the state farm show with a virtual tour at 3 p.m. Monday.

“Whether you come to watch the live duckling pond or busy bees, to pick up some delicious recipes, or dig deeper into current agricultural issues, we welcome you,” Redding said. “Welcome to the 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show and thank you for inviting us into your home this week.”

For the complete schedule, see Monday's Butler Eagle.