UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The university's varied horticultural programs will be showcased in the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 15-17.

Pennsylvania is a major producer of horticultural crops, ranking third nationally in ornamentals, seventh in vegetables and eighth in fruit and nut crops. The college exhibits building will show how Penn State supports that industry, according to Richard Marini, professor and head of the horticulture department.

"We have developed a world-class teaching program to train the next generation of horticulturists and horticultural scientists," says Marini. "We've also developed cutting-edge research programs to generate information that will help the commonwealth's horticultural industries remain competitive while protecting the environment, and through cooperative extension programs we bring this information to the citizens of the state."

Horticulture is a broad field, according to Marini, and faculty are involved in activities not normally associated with the discipline, such as biotechnology, breeding, ecology, plant physiology, and business, as well as crop production, handling the crops after harvest, and marketing.

"Horticulture exhibits at Ag Progress Days will reflect the varied programs required to support a vibrant and changing horticultural industry," he says. "In addition to providing information about horticultural crop production and gardening, there will be exhibits describing how biotechnology -- involving plant genetics and plant molecular biology -- is incorporated into plant-breeding programs to produce new varieties that are resistant to pests and have enhanced health-promoting properties.

"There will be a display of root systems describing how fungi interact with roots to improve water and nutrient uptake, and how breeding for more efficient root systems improves yield," Marini adds. " The cooperative project between PennDOT and the horticulture department, aimed at controlling unwanted vegetation along roadways, will also be displayed."

Visitors can walk through a high tunnel, which is similar to a non-heated greenhouse, to learn how the growing season can be extended to produce crops such as organic vegetables and berries. Penn State Master Gardeners will be on hand to discuss the Master Gardener Program and to answer gardening questions.

"The two majors in the horticulture department, landscape contracting and horticulture, will also be highlighted to describe our teaching programs and career opportunities in the field," Marini says. " We hope people will enjoy learning about the art and science of horticulture because horticulture touches every person's life every day."

In addition, daily presentation on horticulture and other topics will be offered in the College Exhibits Building Theatre:

Tuesday, Aug. 15 10 a.m. -- New Tomato and Chard Varieties 11 a.m. -- Flower Arranging Demonstration 1 to 4 p.m. -- Risk Management Tools for You and Your Farm, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Women in Agriculture Network

Wednesday, Aug. 16 10 a.m.-- Burpless Cucumbers and Unusual Pepper Varieties 11 a.m. -- The Story of Chocolate 2:30-4 p.m. -- Farm Bill Hearing, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau

Thursday, Aug. 17 10 a.m. -- Edible Flowers 11 a.m. -- Flower Arranging Demonstration

Sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, 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 Richard Marini at 814-865-2572 or by e-mail at rpm12@psu.edu.

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