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GRILLS FIRED UP AND BALERS BLESSED: PA BEEF COUNCIL KICKS OFF 2025 MAY IS BEEF MONTH AT STATE CAPITOL

K.Swope | May 7, 2025

Harrisburg, PA (May 6, 2025) - The PA Beef Council, in partnership with Pennsylvania agriculture leaders and Representative Bud Cook, launched May is Beef Month with a spirited celebration on the steps of the State Capitol. Held at Fountain Plaza along Commonwealth Avenue, the event brought together beef producers, public decision makers, and agriculture advocates for an afternoon of burgers, blessings, and meaningful dialogue.

The celebration featured the Third Annual Blessing of the Balers, a unique tradition sparked by a heartfelt story from Greene County farmer Joseph Krampy. Reverend Donald Wilson led the ceremonial blessing, calling for a safe and productive hay season across the Commonwealth.

"This event is more than hay and hamburgers—it’s about honoring those who feed Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Rep. Bud Cook, who hosted the event. “Our farmers are the backbone of rural communities, and this celebration puts a well-deserved spotlight on them."


Thanks to a generous donation from Masonic Village Farm, over 400 locally sourced beef burgers were grilled and served to decisionmakers, staff, and guests, sparking conversations about the importance of beef in Pennsylvania’s economy and food system. Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding joined the program to deliver remarks and officially proclaim May as Beef Month in Pennsylvania.

“Beef production is vital to our agricultural identity,” said Secretary Redding. “May is Beef Month reminds us of the dedication it takes to produce high-quality, nutritious beef while stewarding our land and supporting our communities.”

Celebrating Pennsylvania Beef 

With agriculture standing as the state’s #1 industry, the PA Beef Council used the event to share the impact of Pennsylvania’s beef community:

  • Over 11,800 beef farms contribute to a thriving food and agriculture sector. 
  • The state is home to 75 inspected meat packing plants and 146 custom butcher shops. 
  • Programs supported by the Beef Line Item—such as the Beef Quality Assurance Program, Beef Working Group, Center for Beef Excellence, and PA Beef to PA Schools—help ensure safe production practices, youth outreach, and enhanced food access.

Attendees were encouraged to mingle and share stories with state decisionmakers and staff, reinforcing beef’s “steak” in Pennsylvania’s agricultural landscape. Beef producers took the opportunity to build relationships and promote awareness of food production challenges and opportunities. 

“May is Beef Month is our chance to connect people to where their food comes from,” said Marty Yahner, PA Beef Council Board Chairman. “We’re proud to recognize the farmers who work every day to deliver beef that is nutritious, sustainable, and local.”

About the PA Beef Council 

The Pennsylvania Beef Council is a non-profit organization working on behalf of Pennsylvania’s beef, dairy and veal producers to promote beef through education, marketing, and research. Through collaboration with partners and stakeholders, the Council helps ensure a strong future for Pennsylvania’s beef industry and the consumers it serves. 

For more information, visit www.PABeef.org 

Media Contact: Nichole Hockenberry, 814-623-2698, [email protected].   

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The Pennsylvania Beef Council is a producer-controlled and funded organization, which administers the Beef Checkoff Program in Pennsylvania. The Beef Checkoff Program assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. Checkoff revenues may be used for promotion, education and research programs to improve the marketing climate for beef.