UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will feature the School of Forest Resources and cooperative extension programs as well as a stepped-up student-recruitment effort, at its main exhibit at the 2004 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Jan. 10-17 in Harrisburg.

Each area will have lively, informative, interactive and visual displays that should interest and entertain visitors, says Denise Connelly, coordinator of the college exhibit. And most every area of the college will be spotlighted because the programs will change every two days during the show.

Displays will highlight extension programs, focusing on wildlife homes; the Tobacco Control Network; food preservation; how global positioning systems and global information systems affect agriculture and communities in Pennsylvania; and agronomy and dairy production.

The School of Forest Resources will showcase research and extension programs on restoring the American chestnut; wildlife and forest regeneration; forest management; and tree DNA.

Information will be available about majors offered by the college, including forestry, agricultural business, animal sciences, agricultural and biological engineering, agricultural and extension education, environmental resource management, and soil sciences. Visitors will have opportunities to talk one-on-one to college officials and current students and ask questions about academic programs and experiences.

The College of Agricultural Sciences has the largest scholarship program at Penn State, and staff will be on hand to talk with prospective students about admission, financial aid and scholarships, changing location to the University Park campus and any other questions about student life at Penn State.

The horticulture department's display, which will be next to the college's exhibit in the Main Exhibit Hall, will include an "Ask the Experts" forum where visitors can get their home and garden questions answered by horticulture specialists, master gardeners and extension agents.

The Penn State 4-H exhibit in the Family Living area will feature displays about the 4-H Cloverbud Program, which introduces 5- to 8-year-olds to 4-H programs for older children, and the 4-H School Enrichment Program, which helps teachers and home-schooled families incorporate 4-H programs into their curricula.

The 4-H exhibit will tell the story of what it is like to be a 4-H member. Current 4-H members will be there to talk to youths about joining the organization and 4-H alumni are encouraged to stop by, say hello and sign up to receive a newsletter.

Beyond the exhibits, the college will play a big role in the annual showcase of agriculture, one of the state's top industries. Visitors will see evidence of Penn State's involvement in virtually every area of the sprawling complex. Throughout the Farm Show, more than 100 Penn State faculty and extension educators will assist with livestock and commodity judging for everything from dairy cattle to maple syrup to mushrooms. Their duties include weighing in animals, handling entry registration and answering questions from the public.

The Farm Show complex is located on Cameron Street, just off of exit 67 of Interstate 81. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Saturday, Jan. 10 through Friday, Jan. 16; and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17. Admission is free and parking is $5 per vehicle, which includes shuttle bus service from the off-site lots.

For more information about Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences exhibit at the Farm Show, contact Connelly at 814-865-0113 or dcc6@psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Denise Connelly at 814-865-0113 or dcc6@psu.edu.

Contact:

Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-863-9877 fax #296