UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- With a tractor-accident rescue demonstration, free health screenings and on-site agricultural emergency specialists, this year's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 19-21, focuses on the health and safety of farmers like never before. Farmers won't want to miss the farm-safety demonstration area, Agricultural Health and Safety tent and the AgrAbility and Agromedicine Tent.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, two tractor emergency response demonstrations will be held in the demonstration area. "An overturned tractor will be used to demonstrate scene stabilization and extrication techniques," says Dave Hill, Penn State senior extension associate and agricultural emergency management program director. "The purpose of these demonstrations is to show people the typical 'tiered' emergency response to a farm-related injury emergency."

An ambulance crew and fire department crew are scheduled to attend and assist with the demonstration. State College-area Future Farmers of America (FFA) will operate an all-terrain vehicle to demonstrate how the farm community can be involved with on-farm rescues.

The risk of grain entrapment will be featured in the demonstration area and in the Health and Safety tent. On Tuesday and Thursday, safety specialists will demonstrate the hazards of flowing grain with a ¼ scale grain entrapment simulator. Emergency response also will be shown.

Visitors can examine the latest Pennsylvania farm injury statistics and talk to farm safety and agricultural emergency management specialists about programs and resources in the Health and Safety tent.

At the AgrAbility/Agromedicine Tent, a variety of health screenings will be offered all three days. AgrAbility is a national information and technology network for farmers, farm workers and family members who continue to farm despite on-going physical or medical difficulties. The program emphasizes health and safety on the farm.

Geisinger Health Systems will conduct free osteoporosis screenings, the state Department of Health will provide free tetanus shots and the Home Nursing Agency will providing free stroke assessments and blood pressure readings. The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health will be conducting respiratory screenings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Wednesday, 4-H and FFA teams will compete in the Farm Safety and Health Quiz Bowl. Team members will answer farm safety and health questions in this semi-final quiz bowl event. The winning teams will advance to the state finals in January at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

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 Route 45. 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 through Aug. 21 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Dave Hill at 814-865-2808 or by e-mail at deh27@psu.edu.

Contact:

Cheryl Anthony cka106@psu.edu 814-863-0938 814-863-9877 fax

Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-863-9877 fax #211