DelVal Alumni and Students Shine at the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show

The Pennsylvania Farm Show, the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition, is a celebration of agriculture, community and tradition. This year, Delaware Valley University (DelVal) was well-represented, showcasing the University’s deep ties to the agricultural community and the strength of its alumni network.

Ag Ambassadors at the Exhibit

DelVal’s exhibit at the Farm Show was hosted by four enthusiastic Ag Ambassadors: Victoria Lichtenwalner ’27, Rachel Sroka ’25, Maisie Neuber ’26 and Sydney Utt ’26. These students not only shared their experiences at DelVal but also engaged with attendees to highlight the importance of agriculture and education.

The Ag Ambassadors attended the Pennsylvania Preferred Reception, connecting with producers, agricultural leaders, and supporters. They also met with prominent figures such as Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture and former Dean of DelVal, Russell Redding, U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Pennsylvania Senator Maria Collett.

Sroka, an animal science and livestock science major, shared her favorite part of the Farm Show: “Seeing all the visitors interact with exhibitors and learn the importance of agriculture.” Maisie Neuber, an animal science pre-vet major, added, “I love talking to alumni and learning about how DelVal made an impact on their lives—and, of course, fried cheese cubes!”

Additionally, Erin Shuey ’26, a secondary education major, received a scholarship from the Foundation Scholarship Board, demonstrating DelVal students’ achievements and dedication to agriculture.

Alumni Leadership in the Rabbit Community

DelVal alumni also played a significant role in the Farm Show’s rabbit competitions. Lia Swartz ’16, an Equine Science and Management graduate, serves as co-chair of the Farm Show’s rabbit committee alongside fellow alumna Sarah Grogan ’16. Their journey from friendly competitors in rabbit shows as children to co-chairs leading a team of 15 committee members is a testament to their enduring friendship and shared passion.

“It’s one of those funny things,” said Swartz. “We competed against each other at shows as kids, then we both ended up at DelVal together, and now we get to lead this amazing community together. We complement each other really well in leadership and organization, and it’s been so much fun.”

Under their leadership, over 800 rabbits from more than 200 exhibitors were judged at this year’s farm show based on breed standards set by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. Judges carefully evaluated each rabbit to determine the best of breed and best opposite, which recognizes the top rabbit of the opposite sex of the breed winner.

Swartz and Grogan are proud to note that one-third of their committee members are DelVal graduates. “It’s really cool,” Swartz remarked. “DelVal is one of the top schools that students in the rabbit community go to and I think that speaks volumes about the program, the school, and the industry.”

Swartz has been involved with the rabbit department of the Pa. Farm Show since she was a kid, earning the title of Rabbit Queen in 2012 and Pennsylvania Farm Show Queen in 2014. She credits DelVal with helping her grow as a leader and a team-player and takes a lot of the animal care techniques with her in her day-to-day tasks as co-chair of the rabbit committee. She even completed part of her E360 requirements as a volunteer at the farm show.

Swartz visited DelVal’s exhibition at this year’s farm show and had the opportunity to share some advice with the DelVal student ambassadors: “One of my favorite pieces of advice that I got is that your passion doesn’t have to define your career. You can follow your passions and use your knowledge, but in a different direction than what your actual career path is.”

“And when it comes to getting involved and networking, volunteering at the Farm Show is such as easy way to reach those goals because we’re always looking for volunteers across all different areas. Without volunteering, I don’t think I would have gotten this opportunity.”

A Lasting Impact

From the exhibit floor to the rabbit judging table, DelVal students and alumni exemplified leadership, expertise, and community spirit at the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show. Their contributions highlight the University’s role in shaping the future of agriculture while celebrating the connections that make DelVal a cornerstone of the agricultural community.