HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A sculpture made from nearly 1,000 pounds of butter was unveiled today at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, paying tribute to Pennsylvania's diverse agriculture industry.

The sculpture, sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, features PA Preferred®, the official brand of agriculture products grown or made in Pennsylvania.

It depicts several of the state's top commodities including milk and dairy products, grapes and wine, Christmas trees, fruits and vegetables.

The eight-day Pennsylvania Farm Show opens to the public on Jan. 5. This year's theme is: "Made in PA. It makes a difference.''

"This year's Pennsylvania Farm Show will show how our farm families and thousands of agribusinesses provide an affordable food supply, keep money in local communities and create jobs," Agriculture Secretary George Greig said.

"More than 7,400 dairy farm families spend nearly 85 percent of their income close to home and recognize the importance of supplying quality products. They are making a difference," Greig said.

"Most milk consumed by Pennsylvanians is produced and processed within 100 miles of their grocery store," said Harold Shaulis, Somerset County dairy producer and chair of the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. "The butter sculpture provides us an opportunity to share our mission of producing healthy, nutritious dairy foods for our friends and neighbors to enjoy."

Crafted by Jim Victor of Conshohocken, Montgomery County, the butter sculpture creation begins in mid-December and is finished just in time for the Farm Show. Victor also creates sculptures using chocolate and cheese.

At the close of the show, the butter, donated by Land O' Lakes in Carlisle, Cumberland County, will be given to a Juniata County dairy farm. The butter will be put through a digester and converted to about 65 kilowatt hours of electricity to help operate the farm.

Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program are funded by dairy farmers to promote milk and dairy products. For more information, visit www.dairyspot.com.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation, with 24 acres under one roof that feature nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors. Admission is free and parking is $10.

For more information, or to see a photo of the butter sculpture, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Nicole L. C. Bucher, 717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture