UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Ag Progress Days, Pennsylvania's largest outdoor agricultural exposition, will return for its annual three-day run, Aug. 19-21. 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, with the theme "Seeing the Forest for the Trees," will showcase research and educational programs to develop and maintain healthy tree species, promote better woodlot management, and support a vigorous forest products industry. Majors and careers in forest resources also will be highlighted.

"We strive to plan an event that reflects the diversity of the college's programs," says Bob Oberheim, Ag Progress Days manager. "Our themed exhibits, combined with many of the traditional activities that we offer each year, ensure that virtually anyone can find something of interest at Ag Progress Days."

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.

Other activities planned for this year's event include a skid steer rodeo and several new tours, including a tour of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's new Animal Evaluation Laboratory, which recently was completed near the Ag Progress Days site.

Field demonstrations will feature hay mowing, hay rakes and tedders, baling, bale handling, conservation tillage, and manure application to reduce odor and preserve residue cover.

Also planned are family living exhibits and demonstrations; a corn maze; cut flower beds and exhibits; storytelling; an equine program, including special American Quarter Horse Association exhibitions; live animal displays; a tree-climbing adventure; a museum of antique farm and home implements; and a wide variety of food booths.

Ag Progress Days hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 19; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 20; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 21. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free from July 14 to August 21 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:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-863-9877 fax #181