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September 20, 2021 - Harrisburg, PA

Secretary of Agriculture: Dairy Innovation Fuels On-Farm Resiliency and STEM Careers

The All-American Dairy Show returned to Harrisburg this weekend, featuring four days of showring competition, youth programming and dairy innovation to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

The 2021 show runs September 18-22, featuring more than 550 national competitors in 22 individual contests exhibiting more than 1,200 of the finest dairy cattle in the industry.

"The All-American Dairy Show showcases the best of Pennsylvania agriculture," said Secretary Redding. "It is a show where competitive spirit drives genetics and industry innovation, but it also serves as an opportunity to learn. From youth engagement to educational programming, the All-American Dairy Show displays the best of cows and people, and it continues to drive the industry forward."

All-American Dairy Show exhibitors demonstrate how genetics has advanced the dairy industry, increasing milk production, herd health and longevity. Exhibitors, like Jason Frye of Pleasant Lane Farms, continue capitalizing on technology to strengthen their family's 60-cow dairy farm and on-farm creamery.



PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding pets a dairy cow at Pleasant Lane Farms in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_001.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding talks with brothers and co-owners of Pleasant Lane Farms Todd Frye, center, and Jason Frye, right, in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_002.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding gets a tour of the "Robot Room" from Pleasant Lane Farms Todd Frye, co-owner, left, and father Ralph Frye, founder, center, at the farm in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_003.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding shakes hands with Ralph Frye, founder of Pleasant Lane Farms, in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_004.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Jason Frye, co-owner of Pleasant Lane Farms, holds up a piece of cheese made at the farm in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_005.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> A dairy cow at Pleasant Lane Farms is pictured inside a the "Smart Barn," which is nearly fully automated in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_006.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding gets a tour of the Pleasant Lane Farms "Robot Room" in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_007.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> A dairy cow at Pleasant Lane Farms gets milked by DeLaval Voluntary Milking System (VMS) 300 machine inside the "Robot Room" in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_008.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Todd Frye, co-owner of Pleasant Lane Farms, inside the "Robot Room" in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_009.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding talks with Todd Frye, co-owner of Pleasant Lane Farms, in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_010.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding talks with Ralph Frye, founder of Pleasant Lane Farms, in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_011.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pleasant Lane Farms cheese is pictured in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_012.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Dairy cows at Pleasant Lane Farms are pictured inside a the "Smart Barn," which is nearly fully automated barn in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_013.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Jason Frye, co-owner of Pleasant Lane Farms, holds up a piece of cheese made at the farm in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_014.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> A dairy cow at Pleasant Lane Farms gets milked by DeLaval Voluntary Milking System (VMS) 300 machine inside the "Robot Room" in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_015.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> PA Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding gets a tour of Pleasant Lane Farms Co-Owner Jason Frye at the farm in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_016.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pleasant Lane Farms chocolate covered cheese truffles are pictured in Latrobe on Thursday, September 9, 2021. In 2019, Pleasant Lane Farms reconstructed their operation and on-farm business plan to safeguard the farms future for the next generation. The Frye family constructed a new barn equipped with a robotic milker, atmospheric climate control to regulate barn temperature and cow brushes to promote cow comfort. The barn directly supplies the on-farm cheese processing facility, which received a $364,082 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to support marketing and value-added processing equipment investments. Today, the creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms processes 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of milk and produces more 1,700 to 2,900 pounds of cheese each week.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/19097_AG_DairyInnovation_NK_017.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>