U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns (JOE-hahns) will be available to speak with media both before and after his scheduled public Farm Bill Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at Penn State's Ag Progress Days. Following is the schedule and other pertinent information:

8:30 a.m.: Media session, Ag Progress Days Special Events Building 9:00 a.m.-Noon: Farm Bill Forum, Special Events Building Noon (+/-): Post-forum media session, location to be announced

--Credentials: Media representatives should present photo/press identification to receive credentials for admittance to media sessions. Media registration will take place starting at 7:30 a.m. in the Media Room on the ground floor of the red barn.

--Directions: For maps of and directions to the site, visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu/Maps/Maps.html.

GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY DAY, AUG. 17 On Wednesday, Aug. 17, several state and local dignitaries will tour Ag Progress Days and offer remarks at the Government & Industry Day luncheon. Media are invited to cover the luncheon program, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Special Events Building. The schedule of speakers follows:

12:40 U.S. Congressman John Peterson 1:00 Penn State President Graham Spanier 1:20 Pa. Governor Ed Rendell 1:45 Pa. Attorney General Tom Corbett

OTHER AG PROGRESS DAYS STORY IDEAS Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16-18, typically attracts as many as 50,000 visitors to Penn State's Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Pa. Route 45. The event offers a wealth of story ideas and expert sources on such topics as the latest research and technology, this summer's weather and its effect on crops, animal health and emergency response, alternative and bio-based energy, consumer and nutrition trends, farm safety and much more. Horse events, children's activities, live animals, machinery demonstrations and working antique farm and home implements are among the event's captivating visuals.

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For more information, visit the Web at http://apd.cas.psu.edu, contact Chuck Gill at 814-863-2713 or cdg5@psu.edu, or call the Ag Progress Days Media Room at 814-692-8005 Aug. 15-18.