UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The 2002 edition of Penn State's Ag Progress Days, set for Aug. 20-22 at the Larson Research Center, continues the tradition of bringing farmers and other agricultural producers together with the latest in equipment and technology. Although the number and diversity of exhibitors has grown each year, organizers have not lost sight of the show's roots, says event manager Bob Oberheim.

"This show has a long tradition of being a true agricultural exposition," Oberheim says. "Our show is unique in that the overwhelming majority of our exhibitors are directly ag-related. Other ag shows on the East Coast may have higher numbers than we do, but they also have exhibitors of the flea-market line, or arts and crafts."

Oberheim expects more than 350 commercial exhibitors in 2002, featuring the latest technology, goods and services. Vendors will showcase everything from buildings, equipment, seed and fertilizer to insurance, fences and crop consulting services.

This year also will feature more field machinery demonstrations than last year, Oberheim says -- as many as time permits.

"We feel this is an important part of the show -- providing something new and educational that challenges the farmer," he says. "These are hands-on demonstrations; farmers can get as close as safely possible. Equipment is demonstrated by company people, and the farmer can ask specific questions while the machine is running in the field.

"Each year we try to customize the field demonstrations to match the exhibitors," he says. "This year our special demonstrations will be with sprayers. We have at least five companies that will bring sprayers to demonstrate their unique options.

"You'll see a variety of sprayers, from three-point hitches up to the 'big boys' with 80-foot booms. We'll have self-contained units, foam markers -- the whole works."

Several popular features will return this year, including demonstrations of hay mowing, hay rakes and tedders, baling and bale handling, as well as a skid steer rodeo and farm safety demonstrations. Vegetable producers will find an expanded high tunnels demonstration tour. And, for the second year, several companies will showcase their equipment systems in custom field demonstration space.

"I saw the need to offer exhibitors dedicated areas to demonstrate their equipment in sequence," Oberheim says. "There will be hay handling, bale grinding, forage mixing, haylage bagging, planter demonstrations and other ag equipment at these sites."

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 Pa. Rt. 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 through Aug. 22, or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Bob Oberheim at 814-865-2081, 814-692-5262 or RLO1@PSU.EDU.

Contact: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax #214