University Park, Pa. -- Since it's the state's largest outdoor agricultural exposition, many people point to Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16-18 at Rock Springs, as a multi-faceted testimony to the vibrancy of Pennsylvania agriculture. The numbers may support that claim.
This year's exhibitor enrollment will surpass last year's record total of commercial exhibitors, with as many as 65 exhibitors appearing at the exposition for the first time, and manager Bob Oberheim said there is a very good chance of "maxing out" the 55-acre show site.
"Our indoor exhibit space is almost completely full, and we'll be adding almost a whole new exhibit street to handle the new outdoor exhibitors," he said. "About 375 exhibitors is the maximum for our site, and we'll be very close to that number this year."
This year's theme in the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building, "Engineering for Your Life," emphasizes the huge role that agricultural and biological engineering play in our everyday lives. Special exhibits will demonstrate engineering innovations from the field to the final product, including new technologies to ensure the safety and security of workers and the food supply, as well as the development of sustainable solutions for agricultural production, renewable energy and the environment.
Here are some highlights of the three-day event:
Celebrity guest
Former Pittsburgh Steelers all-star defensive back Mel Blount will give a "cutting" demonstration on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Penn State's Ag Progress Days. Blount, who will perform at the Ag Progress Days Equine Experience, owns a ranch in Washington County and uses a well-received equine program there to reach at-risk youth. Several of his students will assist him in his demonstration.
Yard and Garden Tent
Visitors can browse the adjacent flower garden and see the latest varieties for cut-flower use. Demonstrations will cover a range of gardening topics ranging from drip irrigation to edible flowers. For the full schedule, check online at http://aginfo.psu.edu/News/july05/gardendemonstrations.html
Natural Resources Conservation Partnership Area
Through exhibits, demonstrations and tours, visitors can learn how federal, state and local agencies and private organizations work together to ensure the future of the state's natural resources. Kathleen McGinty, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, will be on hand at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at the Solar Park in the Natural Resources Conservation Partnership Area, where she'll talk about sustainable and alternative energy programs for Pennsylvania. The Solar Park will feature a fountain, pump and fan, all powered by solar energy. For the schedule, check online at http://aginfo.psu.edu/News/july05/naturalresource.html
The horse whisperer
GaWaNi Pony Boy is known for his Horses Teaching People courses and "relationship training." He has written 10 books since 1998, with "Horse, Follow Closely" being his No. 1 seller. GaWaNi Pony Boy will give demonstrations in the Large Horse Arena on Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday and at 11:15 a.m. Thursday.
Horse enthusiasts who visit the Equine Experience at Ag Progress Days will also be entertained by a variety of performances and will learn about horse ownership, breeding and training. New this year is a Kid's Corner that will feature horse-related activities and educational material. On Tuesday, Aug. 16, events will include workshops on Clicker Training and "Leave-No-Trace Trail Stewardship." Demonstrations will showcase the Keystone Dressage and Combined Training Drill Team and the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Patrol. Wednesday, Aug. 17, the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association will sponsor a quarter horse Test Ride open to all visitors. On Thursday, Aug. 18, youth will test their skills and knowledge in the 4-H Equine Skillathon starting at 10 a.m.
Pasto Agricultural Museum
Penn State's Pasto Agricultural Museum will again feature "Winter on the Farm" during Ag Progress Days. Several new items have been added to the exhibit including a rare and unusual hand-powered rotary ice saw with a 1909 patent date. It came from a fifth-generation farm in Centre County. For more about the museum, check online at http://pasto.cas.psu.edu/
Crops and Soils Tent
Among the displays will be a crops and weeds exhibit, where visitors can see common species found across the state. The corn maze, next to the Crops and Soils Tent, is a gigantic puzzle for entire families to wander through, with wheelchair and stroller access. The Crops and Soils Tent also will showcase the annual Ag Progress Days hay show. Farmers are encouraged to bring in their own hay to be judged and analyzed.
Animal Sciences Exhibits Area
A series of workshops, discussions and demonstrations focusing on animal care, first aid, health and transportation for both companion animals and livestock will be presented at the Animal Sciences Exhibits Area of Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16-18. Nancy Dreschel, a veterinarian who teaches a course called "Pet and Companion Animals" at Penn State, will be one of the speakers. She will be giving demonstrations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the animal greenhouse located on West 12th Street at the Ag Progress Days site. Truck and trailer manufacturers also will demonstrate the latest features and regulations to keep producers and their livestock safe while traveling. Presentations will cover first aid for livestock and companion animals (dogs and cats); what to look for in a horse or stock trailer; bandaging horses for transportation; truck requirements and weight restrictions for safely transporting livestock/horse; and disaster preparedness for pets.
Family fun
With several exhibits designed for children and families, there are many opportunities for people of all ages to find something that interests them. All of the exhibits in this year's Family Room relate in one way or another to health and the family. Near the Family Room are other Family Learning Hub displays such as the Youth Building, where kids can earn prizes for completing a fun activity by visiting all the hands-on exhibits on display. They can learn about careers in science and about science in other countries, see eggs hatch into chicks and find out about 4-H, FFA, Dairy Princess and other youth programs. Nearby, Shaver's Creek Environmental Center returns this year with daily talks and demonstrations featuring animals and birds of prey. The Farm Animal Learning Center, sponsored by Pennsylvanians for Responsible Use of Animals, will feature live farm and domestic animals. Visitors can observe the animals while learning about proper care. At the Kid's Climb, near the Equine Exhibits Building, kids can climb 40-foot-tall trees just like professional arborists, with ropes and harnesses for maximum safety.
'Engineering for Your Life'
Agricultural and biological engineering play a huge role in our everyday lives, and that relevance will be showcased in the exhibit, "Engineering for Your Life," in the College of Agricultural Sciences Building. Exhibits will show engineers involved in developing innovative new technologies from the field to final products, insuring the safety and security of workers and the food supply, and developing sustainable solutions for agricultural production, renewable energy and the environment. Outside the College Building will be several exhibits, including an operating plastic fuel pellet burner, a quarter-scale tractor and a full-size tractor using all soybean oil-based fuels, fluids and lubricants. A variety of presentations will be held in the College Building Theater throughout the three-day event. For the schedule, check online at http://aginfo.psu.edu/News/july05/apdtheater.html
Pennsylvania commodity groups and local nonprofit organizations will be running food booths serving everything from steak sandwiches, chicken corn soup and fried mushrooms to Penn State Creamery Ice Cream.
Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on state Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 16; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 17; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 18. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 until Aug. 18 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu