Butter Up. The Department of Agriculture announced today that Pennsylvanians are invited to craft their butter sculpture creations and enter them into the Butter Up! Contest.

Winners will receive one $50 gift card from members of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA).

Runner-ups will receive one 25 dollar gift card from PFMA.

"Each year, Pennsylvanians come from near and far to marvel at the 1,000-pound sculpture that has become a keystone to the annual Farm Show," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "It's a symbol of Pennsylvania's hard-working dairy industry that works 24/7/365 rain or shine to nourish Pennsylvania. Now, we invite you to try your hand and gain a new appreciation for the art of butter sculpting. So Butter Up, Pennsylvania!"

The contest will be open for submissions from Saturday, January 9 through Saturday, January 16, 2021, at 8:00 PM.

The guidelines include:

Individuals can use up to 5 pounds of butter.

They are allowed to use chicken wire, sculpting wire, and a base to support the design.

Cannot use food dye or coloring of any kind to enhance the butter.

Sculptures must be unique, individual work of the entrants.

While not a requirement, the department suggests individuals look for Pennsylvania butter to support Pennsylvania's dairy industry when purchasing supplies to sculpt their entry.

Pennsylvania butter can be identified by looking for the PA Preferred® logo, plant code 42, or purchasing directly from a local farmers' market from a Pennsylvania dairy.

Entrants will be judged in five age group categories:

Elementary school (ages 5-10)

Middle school (ages 11-13)

High School (ages 14-18)

Adult (ages 19-64)

Senior (ages 65+)

The winners and runners up will be judged by fans of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Facebook page by total reactions (likes, loves, wows, cares, etc.).