UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Exhibits, Live Demonstrations And A Youth Quiz Bowl Will Highlight Farm Safety And Health Programs At Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16-18.

In the quiz bowl, 4-H and FFA teams compete for prizes and cash in a semi-final competition. The winning teams in each division will advance to the finals to be held in January 2006 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The quiz bowl provides participants the opportunity to learn about agricultural safety and health while increasing their leadership and public-speaking skills, according to Dennis Murphy, farm safety specialist and distinguished professor of agricultural engineering.

"The quiz bowl helps young people learn about hazards and safety on farms in a fun way," says Murphy. "The kids can enjoy friendly competition while learning useful information that they can use for the rest of their lives."

Teens answer questions covering many farm-safety issues, such as safety with tractors, mowers and other farm machinery; child safety; first aid; animal care; and disease control. The quiz bowl will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 17 with 4-H teams competing at 9:30 a.m. and FFA teams competing at 1 p.m. in the quiz bowl tent. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Farm Safety and Occupational Health Advisory Board will meet in the same tent at 6 p.m. The public is welcome at all activities.

In the Agricultural Safety and Health Tent, visitors can learn about all-terrain vehicle safety and the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program, a training and certification program for 14- and 15-year-olds seeking employment in agriculture outside their family's farm. The public can talk with farm safety and agricultural emergency-management specialists about programs and resources. In the AgrAbility/Agromedicine Tent, next to the Farm Safety Demonstration Area, various 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.

The popular Farm Safety Demonstration Area will highlight "Managing Tractor Overturns," the new PAgricultural Rescue Training Program module. Tractor safety is an important issue, as almost half of farm deaths and disabling injuries involve tractors. The demonstration, featuring scene stabilization and extrication techniques, will be held Wednesday from approximately 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ATV safety will be a new addition to the Farm Safety Demonstration Area. Specialists will use a remote-controlled ATV to demonstrate ATV hazards. "ATVs are increasingly being used on farms, not only for recreation but also for work," says Murphy. "Injuries with ATVs for agricultural work are on the rise. Problems such as tip-overs, loss of control with heavy loads and inexperienced young drivers are a few of the safety concerns that the demonstration will seek to highlight."

Following the demonstrations, the Northern York County Regional Police Department will discuss the safe operation of farm equipment and ATVs on public roadways. These events will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, and specific times can be found in the Ag Progress Days program guide, available at the event.

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 Pa. Rt. 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday the 16; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, the 17; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, the 18. Parking and admission are free, and a free CATA bus runs from downtown State College daily.

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EDITORS: Contact Dennis Murphy at 814-865-7157 or by e-mail at djm13@psu.edu.

Writer: Whitney Glaser

Editor: Jeff MulhollemOffice 814-863-2719 FAX 814-863-9877