UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- This year, as farmers and homeowners enjoy the dizzying array of exhibits, machinery and products at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 15-17, they'll find it easier to take a little bit of the exposition home with them.

For the first time in the history of the event, visitors will be permitted to make cash purchases at the individual booths of participating exhibitors. According to Bob Oberheim, manager of Ag Progress Days, it's a small change made for the convenience of visitors and exhibitors.

"For the general public, it's obvious: they get to purchase supplies or farm items as they see them in use," Oberheim explains. "They may see an item that they've been seeking for some time -- something that's unique or beneficial to their operation. They can get it as they see it, rather than order it later. Also, it allows exhibitors to immediately recoup some of the cost of their participation in Ag Progress Days."

The change is a continuation of Penn State's desire to expand the Ag Progress Days offerings beyond field demonstrations, Oberheim says.

"Over the last 10 years, we've been working to diversify the show into areas not represented in the past," he says. "We're encouraging exhibitors who deal with many phases of the agricultural community or rural life: equestrians, alternative agriculture, horticulture and farm safety, just to name a few. The goal is to attract exhibitors and visitors who haven't attended in the past."

Exhibitors come from all sections of the U.S. and from Canada, he says. While commercial exhibitors provide much of the operating budget for the exposition, they also help support the youth and family programs, animal shows and homeowner-oriented attractions.

"We want to promote what's new in commercial equipment and services, as well as introduce the latest agricultural technology drawn from university research," Oberheim says. "At the same time, we present important concepts in family living and consumer services."

On Wednesday, Aug. 16, the skid-steer rodeo for tractor operators will return with more manufacturers represented than last year. The general public can register to compete for prizes on a supervised obstacle course in a test of handling skills.

A new feature is the farm equipment show-and-tell, which will allow manufacturers to promote and educate visitors on new or unconventional equipment. A daily afternoon show-and-tell will be devoted to specialty line equipment. Other field demonstrations are planned, including mowing, grain and corn planters (no-till and conventional), and rakes and tedders.

Techniques for growing vegetables in high plastic tunnels, high-moisture hay baling and bale handling will round out the daily demonstrations. Throughout the exposition, workshops and exhibits will provide information on current research-based production technology, government programs and educational initiatives.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days features more than 500 acres of educational and commercial exhibits, tours and machinery demonstrations. It 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 Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free through August 17 or visit the Ag Progress Days site on the World Wide Web at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

###

EDITORS: For more information, contact Bob Oberheim at 814-865-2081.

Contacts: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax