HARRISBURG, Pa. — There are just a few days left of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, and there are still a lot of things to do.
Outside of the food, farm animals and events, small businesses are hoping you pencil them in on your trip! FOX43 News got a chance to catch up with several small businesses that create cool and unique items.
Bouncing Goat Soap is located in Central Pennsylvania, where owner Jolene Scott raises Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats for show and milk production. Scott started the business after recovering from a horse riding incident that required her to get hip surgery. In her recovery, she started making goat soap, and that business has now blossomed into in-person and online sales.
“Last year was my first year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, and this year… It’s been unbelievable from the amount of people that have come back from last year,” said Scott.
This is also Stitches in Bloom's second year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Owner Caitlyn Eroh got her start when she was a little girl. Her grandmother taught her how to crochet, stitch and knit, and she ended up turning her hobby into a living.
“When I was young, I had a broken foot and a lot of time on my hands and ended up with a lot of these hats and scarves, and I had friends suggest that I try to sell some of them since they were in my home and it was a great success, landing me here,” said Eroh.
Miss Lucy’s Dog Treats has been in business for 20 years and was named after owner Roxann Gallagher’s rescue Dalmatian, who was previously abused. Gallagher started the business after she was laid off from her dish manufacturing job 30 years ago. Since then, she’s been busy at her bakery and the Pennsylvania Farm Show, encouraging people to not give up on their dreams.
“Don't give up, keep doing it,” said Gallagher. “I got laughed at when I started, but you shouldn’t give up, keep going.”
Hillbilly’s Jerky has an array of different flavors of jerky and has been in business for 32 years. Perry Hockenberry, owner of Hillbilly’s Jerky, got his start from working with his dad in the smokehouse and using the jerky and fish oil for fishing. This is also Perry’s 10th year at the Farm Show, and he encourages other small business owners to get their start there as well.
“At these big events here, it’s the way to go, and it’s helped us tremendously,” said Perry.
To check out more small businesses here at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, click here.