Ag Progress Days features more than 500 acres of exhibits, tours and machinery demonstrations. This year's event will be Aug. 17-19 at Rock Springs near the University Park campus. For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 between July 12 and Aug. 19 or check the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu/
The past, present and future of dairy production will be on display at Penn State's 1999 Ag Progress Days, Aug. 17-19. Sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences, the event features more than 500 acres of educational and commercial exhibits, tours and machinery demonstrations at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Pa. Route 45.
"As we prepare to enter a new millennium, it's interesting to see how far we've come and where we're headed," said Ag Progress Days manager Bob Oberheim. "We're planning historical exhibits that will show how research, technology and education have helped to make the dairy industry the top agricultural sector in Pennsylvania," he said. "But we'll also offer a glimpse at what the future might have in store."
Other new attractions at this year's event will include a corn maze; the "Pennsylvania's Largest Weed" contest with prizes to be awarded in various categories; a horse "skill-a-thon" for youth; and performances by the Pennsylvania State Police mounted drill team.
Oberheim said field machinery demonstrations will include hay mowing, baling, bale handling, corn chopping, silage bagging, tillage and a special vegetable production tour. Also returning in 1999 will be the popular tractor "ride-and-drive" area and the skid steer rodeo.
Other exhibits, tours and workshops will feature cutting-edge research and information on crops and soils, animal science, dairy and livestock production, integrated pest management, farm safety, conservation practices and woodlot management. More than 300 commercial and noncommercial exhibitors also will be on hand to display the latest goods and services.
In addition, a variety of family and consumer-oriented attractions are planned, including family living exhibits and demonstrations; cut flower beds and exhibits; storytelling; horse exhibitions; live animal and insect displays; lawn and garden advice; antique exhibits; and SciQ, a TV-style game show.
Penn State's Ag Progress Days run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 17 and 19, with extended hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Admission and parking are free.
For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 from July 12 to Aug. 19 or visit the Ag Progress Days site on the Web at http://apd.cas.psu.edu/