UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Variety has come to be expected every year at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, being held Aug. 15-17 at Rock Springs. But practitioners and participants are calling this year's edition surprisingly diverse, even for the state's largest outdoor agricultural exposition.

With the numbers of commercial exhibitors, commodity agencies and other participants once again pushing the show site's capacity, says manager Bob Oberheim, this year's "theme" could be that it's hard to limit Ag Progress Days to one overarching theme.

"One of Pennsylvania agriculture's great strengths is its diversity," he explains. "While other states may be known for just corn, dairy or some other commodity, you'll find us turning up on many 'top ten' rankings, from apples to equine to candy. So, it makes sense that this celebration of Pennsylvania food and fiber would embrace everything from backhoes to biofuels."

A case in point is the focus of the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building, "The Art and Science of Horticulture." Pennsylvania is a major producer of horticultural crops, and the exhibits illustrate how Penn State supports that industry with varied horticultural programs and cutting-edge research, 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," Marini says. "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."

Exhibits will illustrate plant genetics, and breeding, research on roadside vegetation management and high-tunnel vegetable production. Penn State Master Gardeners also will be on hand to discuss their statewide program and to answer gardening questions.

Other events and displays at the three-day exposition include:

Tours. Regular free bus tours transport visitors across Penn State's sprawling 1,500-acre research center for a snapshot of the latest scientific studies in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology and crop and soil science. Other tours will highlight high tunnel vegetable production, beekeeping, potato research, forest stewardship, stream corridor management and much more.

Field Machinery Demonstrations. Commercial exhibitors will demonstration will feature equipment for "rolling vertical tillage," which is a soil-tillage technique that loosens soil as deep as 24 inches while keeping the field surface minimally disturbed. Other demonstrations will include mowing, raking, baling and handling of alfalfa hay.

Ag Renewable Energy. A new exhibit area this year features the latest developments in renewable energy derived from farm and forest, including bioethanol, biodiesel, and anaerobic manure digestion. This exhibit will showcase Penn State's collaboration with state and industry partners to help map Pennsylvania's energy future. The USDA Pasture and Watershed Research Laboratory will present ongoing research into biofuels, particularly cellulosic ethanol production from such warm-season forage crops as switchgrass. Researchers, state officials, energy company representatives and ag producers will be on hand to answer questions.

CSI: Rock Springs. Learn about animal health in this adaptation of the popular TV series. Each program includes an interactive "tour" of the crime scene, an interview and "investigation," a search for physical " evidence" on the farm, "laboratory" diagnostics and a conclusion. Daily programs feature several "crime scenes," including abortions in cattle at 10 a.m., foaming mouth and slobbers in horses and cattle at 11 a.m., itchy dogs at 1 p.m., and newborn calf death at 2 p.m.

"300 Years of Haymaking in Pennsylvania, 1640-1940, From Seed to Feed" is the title of the Pasto Agricultural Museum's demonstration of antique horse-powered hay-making equipment. Field demonstrations will feature horses pulling a mower, tedder, dump rake, side-delivery rake and hay wagon with a mechanical hay loader. Of special interest will be a demonstration of the antiquated practice of putting loose hay into a miniature barn with a horse-powered hay fork and overhead track.

The Equine Experience. The state's burgeoning horse industry is represented with a mix of new activities and popular attractions from past years. Draft-horse experts Rodger and Linda Thoms will show their " Ro-lin On Clydes" six-horse hitch on all three days. The always-popular Keystone Dressage and Combined Training Drill Team will offer demonstrations in the arena, and there will be several breed clinics throughout the three-day exhibition. Other arena events will feature demonstrations by the Central Pennsylvania Mounted Drill Team and the Pennsylvania State Mounted Police and a quarter horse versatility display.

Pennsylvania Foods. Education can be tasty and flavorful when it's found at the food booths sponsored by many of the state's commodity groups and local nonprofit organizations, serving everything from locally raised vegetables and fruit salads to steak sandwiches, fried mushrooms and renowned University Creamery ice cream.

The Family Living Hub. There's fun and fascination for children and adults at the multi-building complex devoted to family living and consumer education, including financial literacy, healthy eating habits, cultural diversity and food safety. Visitors can also enjoy a live petting zoo of baby farm and domestic animals and live wildlife demonstrations.

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.

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EDITORS: Contact Bob Oberheim at 814-865-2081 or via e-mail at agprogressdays@psu.edu.

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