Soon I will be introducing a resolution recognizing Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, as the “Blessing of the Balers” across Pennsylvania.

The Blessing of the Balers started in Greene County when a local farmer, Joseph Krampy, was having trouble with his baler one day. It was one issue after another. Just when he was about to give up, a Catholic priest who was passing by stopped to inquire about the baling process. Joseph spoke to the priest for a while and mentioned the issues he was having on that day. As the conversation wrapped up, the priest suggested the two men pray over the baler that had been giving him problems. After the prayer, Joseph decided to go back to the baler and give it one more shot before he called it a day. Much to his surprise, the baler started up and went back to dropping bales again like nothing ever happened. The farmer was able to finish the field without missing a beat.

It was this story that was told to me by a constituent, Mark Willis, that led to this now annual event here in Harrisburg. Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 will officially be the Fourth Annual Blessing of the Balers. Our farmers need all the help they can get. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution.