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Milton Hershey School Agriculture Students Compete in 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show

Milton Hershey School students used the knowledge and skills learned through the school’s Agricultural and Environmental Education (AEE) program to compete against some of the best in the state at the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Thirteen students, including nine first-timers, showed cows, goats, and sheep.

“Competing this year was an amazing experience that I will miss,” MHS senior Regina Fox said. “Though I will have the opportunity again, it will never be the same as working with the friends and supervisors I have at MHS.”

Students spend months preparing for the Farm Show by working with the animals in the MHS Animal Center. One of four learning centers on the MHS campus, the Animal Center houses herds and flocks of cows, sheep, goats, and other small animals.

“AEE bridges the gap between Milton Hershey School and the larger community through events like county 4H programs and the Pennsylvania Farm Show,” shared MHS Director of Agricultural and Environmental Education Christopher Bond. “Our AEE staff find ways to make learning fun and create a sense of community on campus.”

MHS Associate Director of Agricultural and Environmental Education Valerie Bandell uncovered a unique opportunity to involve more students at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. After receiving an agriculture awareness crate through the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, she connected with a group of elementary students to work on a hydroponic project.

“Student home Green Acres reached out to AEE at the beginning of the school year with an interest in becoming more involved with the department,” said Bandell. “When I received the ag awareness crate, I reached out to them first to see if they had interest in the project.”

The students worked with their houseparents and AEE staff to learn about hydroponic systems. After school, they spent afternoons studying at the Horticulture Center and touring the school’s hydroponic gardens. They then designed and prototyped a do-it-yourself hydroponic system.

These elementary students earned second place in the PA Friends of Agriculture Foundation competition for grades 3-5.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show allows MHS students to see the vast community there to support and encourage them as they become the next generation in the agriculture industry. They gain authentic work experiences and valuable skills that empower them to pursue success after MHS.

Learn More about the Agricultural and Environmental Education Program

2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show Award Highlights

Congratulations to all of our MHS students who participated in the 2025 PA Farm Show. See the award recipients from this year’s farm show below.

Cows

  • Logan Keister, MHS Senior: 2nd Hereford Class Cow-Calf Pair Junior Show and 3rd Hereford Class Cow-Calf Pair Open Show, 4th Senior Division Showmanship
  • Regina Fox, MHS Senior: 6th Senior Division Showmanship
  • Harleigh Myers, MHS Junior: 2nd Hereford Class Cow-Calf Pair Junior Show
  • Tim Geynovich, MHS Junior: 3rd Hereford Class Cow-Calf Pair Open Show, 5th Senior Division Showmanship

Dairy Goats

  • Gavin Fenstermaker, MHS Junior:
    • Junior Show—1st Toggenberg Class Doe in Milk 3 & under 4, Senior Champion, Grand Champion of Toggenberg , Best of Breed Toggenberg, 1st Recorded Grade class Doe in Milk 5 & older, Senior Champion, Grand Champion of Recorded Grade, Best of Breed for Recorded Grade
    • Open Show—1st Toggenberg Doe in Milk 3 & Under 4
    • Showmanship—4th in Senior Division
  • Leia Titus, MHS Junior:
    • Junior Show—1st Recorded Grade Class Kids Born Jan-Mac, Reserve Junior Champion
    • Showmanship—6th in Junior Division
  • Alana Christian, MHS Junior:
    • Junior Show—2nd Recorded Grade class Doe in Milk 5 & older
    • Open Show—7th Recorded Grade Doe in Milk 5 & older
    • Showmanship—9th in Junior Division
  • Me’Ney Richards, MHS Sophomore:
    • Junior Show—3rd Recorded Grade class Kids Born Jan-Dec 23
    • Open Show—3rd Saanen in Doe in Milk 5 & older and 13th Recorded Grade Kids Born Jan-Dec 23
    • Showmanship—7th in Junior Division
  • Anna Sargent, MHS Sophomore:
    • Junior Show—4th Recorded Grade Class Kids Born Jan-Dec 23
    • Open Show—14th Recorded Grade Kids Born Jan-Dec 23
    • Showmanship—13th in Junior Division
  • Aireana Walker, MHS Sophomore:
    • Open Show—12th Recorded Grade Kids Born Jan-March
  • Anabelle Fritsch, MHS Sophomore:
    • Showmanship—11th in Junior Division
  • Hermiley Chalfant, MHS Freshman:
    • Junior Show—3rd Nubian class Kids Born Jan-Dec 23
    • Open Show—8th Nubian Kids Born Jan-Dec 23
    • Showmanship—8th in Junior Division

Sheep

  • Logan Keister, MHS Senior: 2nd Southdown Late Spring Ewe Lamb in Junior Show, 11th Senior Division Showmanship
  • Regina Fox, MHS Senior: 3rd Southdown Late Spring Ewe Lamb in Open Show
  • Tim Geynovich, MHS Junior: 2nd Southdown Late Spring Ewe Lamb in Open Show, 3rd Southdown Late Spring Ewe Lamb in Junior Show, 10th Senior Division Showmanship
  • Anabelle Fritsch, MHS Sophomore: 5th Southdown Late Spring Ewe Lamb in Open Show, 4th Southdown Late Spring Ewe Lamb in Junior Show, 4th Junior Division Showmanship

Milton Hershey School does not discriminate in admissions or other programs and services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religious creed or disability. Read important MHS policies on equal opportunity and diversity, equal employment opportunity, and more.