UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Organizers have begun preparations for Penn State’s 2022 Ag Progress Days exposition, which will be held Aug. 9-11 in Centre County.
Sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences, the expo is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, 9 miles southwest of State College on state Route 45. Parking and admission and are free.
Jesse Darlington, Ag Progress Days manager, said the event is designed to appeal to farm operators, home gardeners, conservationists, youth and families, woodland owners, horse enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the science behind agricultural production and natural resource management.
“We try to plan an event that reflects the diversity of Pennsylvania’s agriculture in a way that provides value for those attendees who rely on the ag industry for their livelihood,” he said. “We also strive to showcase Penn State’s land-grant research and educational programs while offering fun, educational activities for families and consumers.”
Although many COVID-related public health restrictions have been loosened since last year’s expo, Darlington said, Penn State still will require that Ag Progress Days visitors and exhibitors comply with any state, local or university mitigation measures that may be in effect at the time of the event.
Ag Progress Days typically features more than 500 commercial and educational exhibitors. Commercial exhibits will showcase the latest ag-related goods and services, and field demonstrations will feature the newest models of farm machinery in action.
Interactive educational displays and workshops will highlight the latest science-based practices, and visitors can take guided tours to see some of the research underway at the surrounding, 2,100-acre Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center.
Darlington noted that the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building and Theater will provide a hub for expert information and presentations on animal health including avian influenza, vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, and climate-smart agriculture.
Faculty and Penn State Extension educators also will be on hand throughout the grounds to answer questions and provide information on crop, dairy, livestock and equine production; conservation practices; integrated pest management; woodlot management; farm safety; foods and nutrition; home gardening; 4-H youth programs; and other topics.
Other planned activities and attractions include food demonstrations, a sunflower maze, horse exhibitions and clinics, wildlife displays, children’s activities, exhibits of antique farm and home implements in the Pasto Agricultural Museum, and a wide variety of food booths.
Ag Progress Days hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 9; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 10; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 11.
More information is available on the Ag Progress Days website. Twitter users can find and share information about the event by using the hashtag #agprogressdays, and the event also can be found on Facebook (@AgProgressDays).
–Chuck Gill, Penn State University
