Penn State's Ag Progress Days returns with a full schedule of demonstrations, activities and learning experiences highlighting Pennsylvania agriculture. The expo will take place Aug. 11-13 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs in Ferguson Township, Centre County.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Rock Springs as the permanent Ag Progress Days site.
Ag Progress Days is one of the largest agricultural expos in the eastern United States, featuring nearly 500 commercial and educational exhibits, crop displays, machinery demonstrations, guided research tours, family and youth activities, horse exhibitions, workshops and the Pasto Agricultural Museum.
College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building
Visitors will learn about the college's cutting-edge research driving innovation in modern agriculture in the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building.
The exhibits will highlight the college's Technology for Agriculture and Living Systems initiative, which brings researchers and extension specialists together across disciplines to create real-world solutions that boost food production, protect Pennsylvania's natural landscapes and build healthier, more resilient communities for the future.
Faculty, staff and Penn State Extension educators also will be on hand to discuss Tilva, Extension's artificial-intelligence assistant; provide updates about invasive species and protecting animal health; and give a variety of presentations in the building's theater area.
Trade show
The latest advances in agricultural technology - including a robotics exhibit, commercial exhibits and live field demonstrations - will be featured at this year's trade show.
A new addition will be the FIRA Robotics Village - a special exhibit hosted by the College of Agricultural Sciences and organized by the Robotics Factory of Pittsburgh and GOFAR - which will highlight startup companies that have developed some of the latest uses for robotic technology in agriculture.
The show also will feature farm and forestry equipment of various sizes, seed and genetic companies, and various demos on topics such as hay mowing, tedding and raking, and merging and baling of hay and straw.
Activities for kids
The 4-H and Youth Building will feature activities for families and kids of all ages, including a Healthy Living Exploration Station, Herb Discovery Station, biosecurity experts, Pennsylvania Dairy Princess and Promotion Services, and more.
Family-friendly attractions elsewhere on the grounds will include the Shaver's Creek Environmental Center Wildlife Tent, a corn maze, tours of the pollinator garden, the Pasto Agricultural Museum, among other activities.
Research tours
Tours of research sites across the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center will run throughout the expo, appealing to a wide range of interests including horticulture, field crop production, forestry, conservation and composting.
The tours are free and open to anyone from any industry or background. Transportation is provided by bus for most of the tours, though participants should expect some standing and walking.
Agricultural safety
Live demonstrations and interactive educational programs will promote agricultural safety, focusing on the hazards associated with skid-steer operation. Experts will introduce skid steer dangers, operational recommendations and practical safety solutions related to blind spots.
Additionally, the Farm Incident Preparedness Program will be offered at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Learning Center. The one-hour awareness course teaches participants how to respond safely when a farm incident occurs, including how to assist a victim and call for help without putting themselves in danger.
Other topics to be addressed will include solutions to increase the visibility of farm equipment on roads and of children on the farm, "Stop the Bleed" training, and free health screenings.
Food, family and communities
Visitors to the Family Room building will have the opportunity to view hands-on exhibits and demonstrations aimed at promoting healthier habits.
Highlights will include food demonstrations and speaking presentations, mental health and wellness information, resources on parenting and childcare, guidance on home food preservation and consumer food safety, advice on sun safety and skin cancer prevention, and more.
Crops, Soils and Conservation Area
Visitors will be able to learn more about crop management, renewable energy, conservation education, crop planting and natural resources at the Crops, Soils and Conservation Area.
Experts from Penn State Extension and the College of Agricultural Sciences will be on hand to discuss rising energy costs, managing crops and weeds, quality forages for livestock, nutrient management regulations and best practices, no-till machinery and practices, and many others.
Yard and garden advice
Penn State Extension Master Gardeners will be on hand to help visitors tackle gardening questions with research-based advice in the Yard and Garden Area.
Educational presentations and tours of the demonstration gardens will showcase practical gardening techniques and ideas for home gardens. The grounds will feature an "Ask a Master Gardener" tent, as well as a butterfly tent and a pumpkin patch. A Bee Tent will feature an observation hive, beekeeping tools and displays about Pennsylvania's bee species.
The Equine Experience
From gentle giants to miniature horses, the Equine Experience offers demonstrations for everyone from casual spectators to avid horse enthusiasts. Visitors will be able to attend demonstrations and interact with Penn State equine science faculty and staff to learn about horse health and care.
Other highlights will include Spring Mount Percherons, who will be on-site to host the popular six-horse hitch demonstrations; Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association Youth Ambassadors, who will show off their miniature horses; Bear Hill Logging, who will demonstrate an interactive way to learn more about horse logging and restorative forestry; and more.
Pasto Agricultural Museum
The Pasto Agricultural Museum offers hands-on exhibits to connect visitors to their agricultural and rural past. Items in the collection span from 4,000 B.C. to the 1940s - before the widespread use of electricity and gasoline-powered equipment - when farm and household work was accomplished with the muscle power of people and animals.
Location, dates and times
Sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, 9 miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 11; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 12; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13. Admission and parking are free.
