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Thousands Discover Wooden Wonders at Farm Show
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 01/18/2018

All it takes is a tree branch and a $20 pocket knife to create thousands of dollars' worth of art. That's what Lancaster wood carver Chris Lubkemann began more than 40 years ago to pay his college tuition.

From this humble beginning, Lubkemann has become an internationally recognized wood carver and the resident carver at The Amish Farm and House in Lancaster. He has authored five books about wood carving and whittling, including his most recent, The Swiss Army Knife Whittling Book. At the 2018 Pennsylvania Farm Show, he introduced crowds to his niche craft during whittling demonstrations and at his booth in the Main Hall, where Farm Show guests purchased his creations.

Lubkemann noted that his projects begin with fallen branches following storms or tree removal projects. The old saying "one person's trash is another's treasure" certainly holds true, as these discarded bits of wood become elaborately carved knives, letter openers, pendants, chess sets, and his signature roosters, standing proudly with delicate slivers of wood shaved into a curly tail.

A single toothpick became two projects -- one half a miniature hunting knife and the other a flower. Audiences marveled at another miniscule flower Lubkemann carved using leftover wood at his demonstration, which he later gave away to one lucky audience member.

"We keep coming back to the Farm Show because we love it," says Lubkemann. "We've been here over 20 years and look forward to it every year."

Lubkemann remembers Farm Shows past when visitors returned to his stand to show him creations they've whittled after watching his demos over the years. Some repeat customers have interesting stories to tell, including one couple who have commissioned a commemorative log for their anniversary every year. So far, they have collected 18 logs and counting.

While Lubkemann's projects are primarily crafted from scrap wood, the forest and commercial hardwood industry is a significant part of Pennsylvania agriculture. At the Woodmobile, visitors can learn about Pennsylvania's hardwood industry and view a variety of products crafted from various types of wood, including baseball bats, bicycles, and bowties. Interactive exhibits give guests the opportunity to try their hand at wood identification and quiz themselves on tree trivia.

Pennsylvania was named for founding father William Penn and recognizes his admiration of the state's beautiful forests. It's no wonder that "Penn's Woods" leads the nation in hardwood lumber production, providing more than 10 percent of the nation's supply and generating nearly $1.3 billion in sales.

"The industry employs nearly 80,000 Pennsylvanians," says Jonathan Geyer, hardwoods development specialist at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, who wears a wooden bowtie. "When looking at it as a crop, it's our state's number one agricultural resource."

So, whether you want to take up whittling or simply walk in the woods, Pennsylvania's bountiful forests have something to offer for everyone. To learn more about the hardwood industry, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's website.


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