Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
05/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/05/2026 11:54
Cook Brings Together Farmers, Industry Leaders, Community Supporters for Blessing of the Balers and Beef Month Celebration
May. 05, 2026
HARRISBURG - On Tuesday, Rep. Bud Cook (R Greene/Washington) hosted the fourth annual Blessing of the Balers and "May is Beef Month" celebration. The event served as an opportunity to celebrate Pennsylvania's leading industry, which is agriculture.
Cook was joined by a large group of farmers, agricultural leaders, supporters, legislators, and a group of his Student Advisors to pray for a safe and successful growing season.
"Given how much farmers depend on timing, weather and equipment, it's only fitting that we pause to pray for them as they begin a new growing season," Cook said.
Cook's Blessing of the Balers was inspired by a story out of Greene County when Joseph Krampy was having trouble with his farming equipment. Just when he was about to give up for the day, he encountered a Catholic priest who suggested praying over the machinery. After the prayer, the equipment started working again.
"We value the hard work our farmers put in every day," Cook said. "Our farmers work long hours in the field to put food on our tables, clothes on our back, and countless essentials in our homes. We're proud to support them as they carry out this important work."
Bill Devore president of the Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association offered his perspective on the importance of supporting Pennsylvania's beef producers.
"With 8,000 farms supporting upwards of 37,000 different jobs, that fuels the economy," Devore said. "Moving forward it's the young people that are going to carry the torch forward and we support that whole heartedly."
Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding offered the May is Beef Month proclamation.
"There are many folks who make this industry what it is," Redding said. "It's part of our identity as a state. We're lucky to live in a state that sees agriculture as a critical part of our past, but importantly an amazing part of our future."
Rev. Donald Wilson, who offered the very first Blessing of the Balers, returned once again to lead this year's blessing.
"I grew up on a farm, and it's important to remind everyone that we are dependent on God; we need to seek his blessing," Wilson said.
To further emphasize the importance of agriculture and the tradition celebrated through the Blessing of the Balers, Cook has written House Resolution 495 to recognize Tuesday, May 5, 2026, as Blessing of the Balers Day in Pennsylvania. Cook's resolution was unanimously approved on Tuesday in the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Editor's note: You can find an interview with Rep. Bud Cook (R-Greene/Washington) here.
Representative Bud Cook
50th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andrew Forgotch
717.772.9905
[email protected]
RepBudCook.com / Facebook.com/RepBudCook
Cook was joined by a large group of farmers, agricultural leaders, supporters, legislators, and a group of his Student Advisors to pray for a safe and successful growing season.
"Given how much farmers depend on timing, weather and equipment, it's only fitting that we pause to pray for them as they begin a new growing season," Cook said.
Cook's Blessing of the Balers was inspired by a story out of Greene County when Joseph Krampy was having trouble with his farming equipment. Just when he was about to give up for the day, he encountered a Catholic priest who suggested praying over the machinery. After the prayer, the equipment started working again.
"We value the hard work our farmers put in every day," Cook said. "Our farmers work long hours in the field to put food on our tables, clothes on our back, and countless essentials in our homes. We're proud to support them as they carry out this important work."
Bill Devore president of the Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association offered his perspective on the importance of supporting Pennsylvania's beef producers.
"With 8,000 farms supporting upwards of 37,000 different jobs, that fuels the economy," Devore said. "Moving forward it's the young people that are going to carry the torch forward and we support that whole heartedly."
Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding offered the May is Beef Month proclamation.
"There are many folks who make this industry what it is," Redding said. "It's part of our identity as a state. We're lucky to live in a state that sees agriculture as a critical part of our past, but importantly an amazing part of our future."
Rev. Donald Wilson, who offered the very first Blessing of the Balers, returned once again to lead this year's blessing.
"I grew up on a farm, and it's important to remind everyone that we are dependent on God; we need to seek his blessing," Wilson said.
To further emphasize the importance of agriculture and the tradition celebrated through the Blessing of the Balers, Cook has written House Resolution 495 to recognize Tuesday, May 5, 2026, as Blessing of the Balers Day in Pennsylvania. Cook's resolution was unanimously approved on Tuesday in the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Editor's note: You can find an interview with Rep. Bud Cook (R-Greene/Washington) here.
Representative Bud Cook
50th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andrew Forgotch
717.772.9905
[email protected]
RepBudCook.com / Facebook.com/RepBudCook
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Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus published this content on May 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 05, 2026 at 17:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]