Charley Lengel Kramer has a message to share: Agriculture is for everyone.

The 2024 graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School was named 2025 Pennsylvania Junior Fairperson of the Year on Jan. 24 at the state convention of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs in Hershey. She was also elected to the PA Farm Show Junior Board and reelected to the Elizabethtown Junior Fair Board. In each position, she's excited to share her love of agriculture and encourage more people to learn about the industry.

"I strongly believe that it doesn't matter where you come from or what your background is - there is a place for everyone in agriculture," Lengel Kramer said. "I didn't grow up in ag, but now I raise goats, pigs and cattle on my own and am starting a breeding herd of cattle. ... Everything I've accomplished is because I found my place in agriculture, thanks to my fair community, which welcomed me with open arms and helped me grow."

Lengel Kramer, the daughter of JanMichael and Holly Kramer of Rheems, grew up attending the Elizabethtown Fair, enjoying the rides and food. After joining FFA in her sophomore year of high school, she began volunteering in the Farmer for a Day tent, at the milkshake stand and with her friends and their livestock.

"The following year, I decided to become more involved by bringing goats to the fair," she recalled. "By my senior year, I ran for Elizabethtown Fair queen and exhibited goats, pigs and cattle. From that point on, my involvement continued to grow, and the fair quickly became a second family to me."

Over the years, she's served as fair queen and as Junior Fair Board president.

"I love the culture of the Elizabethtown Fair," she said. "People travel from all over to come back and help at their hometown fair. The support shown to youth, especially during the livestock sale, is incredible. Everyone wants each other to succeed and works together to make each year better than the last."

The year leading up to Lengel Kramer becoming Junior Fairperson of the Year was an especially productive one.

"I began 2025 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, where I served on the PA Farm Show Junior Committee," she shared. "In that role, I raised and exhibited livestock, traveled to different counties for committee meetings and toured agricultural operations. I also met with the Pennsylvania Fruit Commodities Council as part of my selected commodity work for the Farm Show."

In the summer of 2025, she helped to establish the Elizabethtown Junior Fair Board, serving as the group's president.

"I also assisted in launching an alpaca show at the Elizabethtown Fair. Throughout the season, I visited numerous fairs and volunteered or exhibited livestock at the Lebanon, Elizabethtown, Manheim and Ephrata fairs," she said. "After fair season ended, my focus shifted back to preparing for the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, continuing my involvement year-round."

Winning Pennsylvania Junior Fairperson of the Year recognition was a surprise and an honor, she said. She was especially proud to be considered for the accolade among other regional winners who had been involved with their fairs for years and had accumulated numerous accomplishments through 4-H and FFA.

Lengel Kramer just completed her second year on the junior committee for the Pennsylvania Farm Show, a role she earned through an application process and two rounds of interviews. Her responsibilities include meeting monthly throughout the state to tour agricultural operations, helping to plan and run the Junior Committee Auction and coordinating the Lancaster Farming Stage, which hosts more than 200 presentations during the Farm Show.

She helped to start the Elizabethtown Junior Fair Board because she wanted other kids to experience the fair as she had.

"I believe it's important for youth to be involved in the fair at a deeper level," she remarked. "We are the next generation, and learning about all aspects of fair operations, not just showing animals, helps prepare us to take on leadership roles in the future."

As a junior fair board member, she helps with fair setup and teardown, assists with children's activities, manages social media, helps to operate the fair store and supports various committees throughout the week.

Lengel Kramer currently attends Delaware Valley University, where she's majoring in agribusiness. She plans to attend law school in the future.

For now, she's embracing her role as an ambassador for agriculture.

"My goals are to connect with the public, spread awareness about agriculture and build strong networks within the industry," she said.

She hopes also to promote the importance of events like the Elizabethtown Fair.

"Fairs help educate the public about agriculture and its impact. Many people don't realize where their food comes from or the work that goes into producing it," she said. "Fairs allow us to correct misconceptions and show that agriculture touches everyone. They also provide opportunities for all community members, whether they come for rides, food, art exhibits, baking or livestock, to feel connected."

The 2026 Elizabethtown Fair will be held from Monday, Aug. 24, through Saturday, Aug. 29. For more information, visit https://etownfair.com.