Allyson Ritchey

Pennsylvania State Government

While studying at Shippensburg University, I’ve had the privilege of completing three competitive internships within the Pennsylvania state government. These experiences—across the Office of Governor Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources—have allowed me to contribute to high-impact communications and public engagement efforts. Explore the highlights of my work with each agency below

Office of Governor Josh Shapiro

As a digital intern in the highest government office in the state, I honed my photography and graphic design skills by creating content for web and social media platforms with daily reach in the thousands. Using tools across Adobe Suite, my work supported the administration’s public-facing communications and contributed to a consistent, engaging digital presence across channels. 

Department of Agriculture

From 2022 to 2024, I served as a press and digital Intern with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, gaining hands-on experience in agricultural communications. In this role, I covered key industry events by interviewing attendees, photographing activities, writing press releases and curating social media content. I also contributed to the department’s digital presence during three Pennsylvania Farm Shows, helping to inform and engage thousands of followers across platforms.

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Emily Javitt

For Emily Javitt of York County, the best time of year comes at the beginning of January with cows, milkshakes, and all things Pennsylvania. Of course, it is the #PAFarmShow!

Emily has fond memories of the Pennsylvania Farm Show since she first stepped foot here on a trip in high school. She’s been hooked ever since.

As a visitor to Farm Show, Emily tries to visit as many times as possible each January. Her highest record of visits in one week is three, but she is trying to get it higher. “Why
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Van Wagner

2,380 feet above sea level is the peak of Bartlett Mountain, the highest point in Wyoming County in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Located in State Game Lands 57, the hike to this point is strenuous with an elevation gain over 1,500 feet, snaking through forests and along White Brook’s bedrocks. The view from the top shows the Northern Alleghany Plateau.

Van Wagner, an agriculture teacher at Danville Area High School, traversed this the day before he appeared at the 108th #PAFarmShow. However, he d
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Cpl David Beam

There’s no horsing around this PA Farm Show for Cpl. David Beam of Schuylkill County and Onyx, a black 17-year-old paint quarter horse. They’re here to work as part of the PA State Police mounted unit.

Beyond patrolling the 108th PA Farm Show, Beam and Onyx were at the Opening Ceremonies on Monday with three other police-horse pairs. They also participated in the Pennsylvania State Police Drill Team Demonstration in the New Holland Arena. At this event, nine police-horse pairs showed off their
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Thomas Dunkel

Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, came out of his burrow 25 days early just to attend the #PAFarmShow, and with him he brought Thomas Dunkel. Dunkel is in his first year as president of the of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle after 11 years of steady dedication to the club. Dunkel and the fifteen others in the Inner Circle are devoted to taking care of Phil and perpetuating the legend and lore. This involves anything from planning events for Groundhog Day every y
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Morgan Hooks

Morgan Hooks, along with bull terriers Hermione and Badger, joined several other dog owners and breeders at the first Canine Spectacular event in three years at the 107th #PAFarmShow. This event gives attendees a chance to learn more about pure bred dogs while engaging with dogs of all ages and breeds. Dogs have been Morgan’s entire life, participating in 4-H obedience and conformation in the 1990s. Her involvement with bull terriers began around 15 years ago at a dog club. Someone showed up wit
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Haley Phillips

For over 125 years, the Pennsylvania Game Commission mission has been to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats and promote hunting and trapping for current and future generations to come. The PA Game Commission has been sharing this mission for years at the #PAFarmShow and this year is no different.

Haley Phillips, a wildlife technician for the PA Game Commission, is excited to be at the PA Farm Show for her very first time. As a wildlife technician, everyday looks a bit different. Fro
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Linda Bunning - Benchfield Farms in Newville, Cumberland County

Ever since she was a little girl, Linda Bunning has always loved horses. Though she grew up in the countryside, she did not live on a farm. The first thing she did when she grew up was buy a horse. Today, she is an owner of Benchfield Farms in Newville, Cumberland County, a horse drawn vehicle service that also specializes in breeding and promoting registered spotted draft horses. With a lot of hard work, her dream has come true.

Linda and Benchfield Farms has been invited to the #PAFarmShow by
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Jimmy Hall, 100-year-old machinery owner

It’s not every day that you get to see a 100-year-old piece of machinery. Jimmy Hall of Ottsville, Bucks County, owns a 1921 Economy tractor engine that can be heard chugging at the Antique Tractor Show.

A tractor engine that old has gone through many owners, the previous one being John Tatu (1944-2018) of Riegelsville, Bucks County. John, a machinist his entire life, engineered the electric start mechanism on the Economy to make it easier to start. John and Jimmy were close friends; the antiqu
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Chef Tony

Originating from Washington D.C., Tony Glass is here at his first #PAFarmShow serving up delicious foods to attendees. While in D.C., Tony was a chef at the While House. However, the COVID-19 pandemic arose, and business disappeared. Tony relocated to Pennsylvania where he now has six food trucks and two restaurants across Central PA under the name of Chef Tony’s Food Group.

Chef Tony’s menu features various “eclectic food with a spin,” as Tony put it. From Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls to Gener
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Allie Snider

Allie Snider, 19, of New Enterprise, Bedford County, has been showing cows as long as she can remember. She’s always had a love for animals, especially cows, like her reliable guernsey named Sniders Gettin’ Dirty Betcha. Together, Allie and Betcha have won Supreme Champion at two shows over the summer and Grand Champion in both the Premier National Junior and Open Show at the All-American Dairy Show last fall. Allie says, “Betcha is a sweet cow and we glide around the ring nicely together.” At 4
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2022 Square Dance Competition

Round-and-Round the couples and teams danced as they filled the New Holland Arena competing in the Square Dance Contest Monday, January 10 at the 2022 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. Thirty-eight squares of dancers from teams across Pennsylvania were judged on their technique, uniformity, rhythm, and response to the calls for dance movements. The three divisions competing were Division 1, for dancers under the age of 17; Division 2, for dancers between the ages of 15 and 25; and Division 3
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Toby Bouder Demonstrates Woodturning

When one thinks about agriculture, wood probably is not the first thing to come to mind. However, woodturner Toby Bouder’s demonstration of the craft draws in PA Farm Show attendees of all ages. Woodturning is the art of cutting symmetrical shapes out of wood that is rotating around the axis of an instrument called the lathe. Behind framed plexiglass, Bouder creates wooden pens which will be sent to troops overseas.

Toby Bouder is a member and vice president of the Harrisburg-local Susquehanna

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

From May to August 2023, I interned with the communications office of the PA DCNR. During this time, I traveled to 15 state parks across 10 counties, producing photo and video content, conducting interviews with DCNR staff and park visitors and supporting press events. This immersive experience deepened my understanding of public land stewardship while strengthening my skills in multimedia storytelling and field reporting. 

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