UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - If you're searching for information on conservation, soil management and crop production, you need look no further than the Crops and Soils Area at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 15-17.

Along with the Crop and Soils Tent and several research plots, the area will feature the relocated Natural Resources Conservation Partnership Tent, which will house exhibits and specialists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other agencies.

The move of the conservation-related exhibits to the Crops and Soils Area will increase the "mingling" between Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty and state experts in the same fields, says Greg Roth, professor of agronomy and area coordinator.

"There's a lot of interaction between those of us in plant sciences, the staff in these state agencies and visitors to Ag Progress Days," he says. "Due to mutual interests, we figured it would be better if our tents were located a little closer together. We've planned lots of activities together."

One of those activities is a special plot of Pennsylvania wildflowers, demonstrating ways that the flowers can be useful in conservation planning. A separate wildlife food plot will address the growing demand for information on establishing and maintaining undeveloped tracts that can provide food and shelter for wildlife.

"There's a lot of interest in that around the state," Roth says. " We'll also have some no-till equipment displays in partnership with the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance. Experienced members of the alliance will be available to answer questions about no-till crop production techniques. The Pennsylvania Corn Growers Association, the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council and the Pennsylvania Crop Management Association will also offer separate displays.

"Another new addition will be participation by the USDA Pasture and Watershed Research Laboratory. One of their major thrusts is in the biofuels area -- mostly looking at cellulosic ethanol production from crops such as switchgrass. We'll also have demonstrations of some of the warm-season grass forages that are now being considered for biofuels. Visitors can find out what's happening on campus in the biofuels arena."

Roth explains that Penn State Cooperative Extension specialists will be on hand to talk to agricultural producers about possible responses to a year of many special problems.

"This has been a year with a lot of interesting challenges in crop fields -- floods, insects, fertilizer problems," he says. "The flooding in the eastern part of the state has especially impacted crop producers that have river bottom fields. It's a small percentage of the state's total production, but our specialists will be talking about the effects of the rain and flooding on the hay and small-grains crops. People can also share what they did and what they anticipate doing with their flood-damaged crops."

The common weeds exhibit and weed-identification display will offer fact sheets and examples of common weeds from around the state, with specialists on hand to help visitors formulate weed-management strategies. Teens can also get information on Penn State's academic degree opportunities in crop and soil sciences.

The ever-popular "A-Maze-N Corn" corn maze returns, as participants solve the two-acre puzzle by answering general questions about Pennsylvania agriculture. Visitors also can see a golf putting green, which will highlight Penn State's world-renowned turfgrass program.

The region's finest hay also will be selected at the annual Ag Progress Days hay show. Visitors can submit entries to compete for prizes and samples in 25 classes, with winning entries going to the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January. In addition, the tent will feature a quiz board area where visitors can test their knowledge, obtain fact sheets and ask specialists about soil and field-crop management.

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 Gregory Roth at 814-863-1018 or gwr@psu.edu.

Gary Abdullah Writer/Editor Phone: 814-863-2708 E-mail: gxa2@psu.edu