UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Weeds and dirt aren't usually big crowd-pleasers, but there's fun to be had for young and old alike at the Crop and Soil Sciences Tent at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Aug. 14-16.

The exhibit area will present new developments in forage and crop production, with plots of field corn, sweet corn, soybeans and alfalfa; small research plot harvesting equipment; and a display of about 100 common weeds in Pennsylvania, according to Marvin Hall, professor of forage management and coordinator for the area. And the return of the popular "A-Maze-N Corn" will provide fun for the young and young-at-heart while parents are looking into more serious matters.

"Children can spend time in the maze while the adults can visit with Penn State specialists for advice on weed control, forages, soils, corn, soybeans and small grains," Hall says. "So for three days people will have immediate access to specialists in crop and soil science -- while their kids have loads of fun."

Another source of amusement will be the annual "Largest Weed in Pennsylvania" contest. Gardeners, farmers and homeowners will bring in their largest, most noxious samples of unwanted plant guests for the three-day competition. Prizes will be awarded daily.

The Hay Show will once again show samples of the state's best hay. Growers who would like to enter samples in the display are invited to bring them to the Hay Show drop-off point near the Ag Progress Days' east entrance on the morning of Aug. 14. All samples will be evaluated, and growers will receive the results.

Visitors also can pick up free extension publications related to crops and soils. Along with Penn State extension crop and soil specialists, representatives from the Pennsylvania Forage & Grassland Council, Crop Management Association and Pennsylvania Master Corn Growers will be on hand for one-on-one consultations.

Because of concerns over the possible transmission of foot-and-mouth disease and other foreign animal diseases, visitors who have been overseas within two weeks of attending Ag Progress Days are asked not to visit the event's live-animal exhibit areas.

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 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 from July 9 to August 16 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Bob Oberheim, Ag Progress Days manager, at 814-865-2081 or 814-692-5262.

Contacts:

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