UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and a number of private businesses will team up to offer a glimpse at the future of green energy in the Keystone State at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 15-17.

The latest in alternative energy sources derived from farms and forests will be on display in the Agricultural Renewable Energy Tent on West 10th Street. "Visitors can see how agricultural crops and the state's abundant forest resources can provide the raw material for ethanol fuel, electricity and power," says Tom Richard, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering.

"They can also learn how biodiesel is helping the environment and decreasing our reliance on foreign oil, and how anaerobic manure digestion can provide electricity for the farm while reducing odor." Penn State researchers, state officials, energy company representatives and agricultural producers will be on hand to answer questions about green energy. Displays will focus on wood-based bioethanol, biodiesel, anerobic digestion of manure, alternative grain fuels and biomass energy.

Also attending will be commercial vendors interested in working with farmers on agricultural energy projects, including Native Energy LCC, Mesa Environmental Sciences Inc., Swan Biomass, Keystone Biofuels and Community Energy Inc. The state Department of Environmental Protection will also be represented in the Ag Renewable Energy Tent.

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. 15; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 16; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 17. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu/.

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EDITORS: Contact Tom Richard at 814-865-3722 or by e-mail at tlr20@psu.edu.

Jeff Mulhollem Writer/Editor Phone: 814-863-2719 E-mail: jjm29@psu.edu