UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- "Discover Your Future Today" is the theme for this year's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 20-22. Sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, the event is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Pa. Route 45.

Special exhibits will highlight the educational and career opportunities available to students in the agricultural sciences. Representatives from several Penn State academic departments will staff displays illustrating fields of study and the broad range of jobs in agriculture, natural resources, food science, education and other ag-related disciplines.

"Every year, we try to provide something for virtually everyone," says Bob Oberheim, Ag Progress Days manager. "As the number of exhibitors and activities continues to grow, we're anticipating perhaps the most diverse show we've ever offered."

More than 350 commercial exhibitors will display the latest goods and services. Interactive displays, guided tours and workshops will show how research and educational programs are addressing important issues, safeguarding our food supply and the environment, and helping to improve the efficiency and profitability of agriculture and related industries.

Faculty and extension staff from the college will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on crops and soils; dairy, livestock and equine production; conservation practices; integrated pest management, woodlot management; farm safety; and home gardening and lawn care. Special workshops will address the impact of the new Farm Bill on Pennsylvania agriculture.

Other activities planned for this year's event include a skid steer rodeo and a special high-tunnel vegetable production tour. Field demonstrations will feature hay mowing, hay rakes and tedders, baling, bale handling, commercial field spraying and deep tillage tools to break soil compaction. In addition, four equipment companies will demonstrate a variety of equipment, such as planters, forage mixers, loaders, bale processors, baggers and forage platforms.

Also planned are family living exhibits and demonstrations; a corn maze; cut flower beds and exhibits; storytelling; an equine program, including special National Quarterhorse Association exhibitions; live animal and insect displays; a tree-climbing adventure; a museum of antique farm and home implements; and special activities to commemorate the centennial of 4-H.

Because of concerns over the possible transmission of foot-and-mouth disease and other foreign animal diseases, visitors who have been overseas within two weeks of attending Ag Progress Days are asked not to visit the event's live-animal exhibit areas.

Ag Progress Days hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 20; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 21; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 22. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free from July 15 to August 22 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Bob Oberheim, Ag Progress Days manager, at 814-865-2081 or 814-692-5262.

Contact: Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-865-1068 fax #202