Over 200 acres of the Ag Progress Days site is full of new and exciting ideas for agriculture and family living.
The theme for this year’s event is “Discover Your Future Today.” The show runs August 20-9-5pm,
August 21st from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. and August 22nd from 9 p.m. until 4 p.m. Ag Progress Days are held at the Russell E. Larson Research Center at Rock Springs, located along Route 45. Admission and parking are free.
The show features over 350 commercial exhibitors. Over 18 nonprofit groups sell every food favorite imaginable. “This show has a long tradition of being a true agriculture exposition,” says event manager Bob Oberheim. He estimates that more than half the visitors to Ag Progress Days are in agriculture related fields and professions, but added there is something for everyone.
Some of the exhibits include the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will have a fish tank and will offer fly-casting exhibitions once each day. A rainfall simulator will run at 10 am,11:30 am and 1 pm each day; it will demonstrate the benefits of analyzing field and pasture runoff. Commercial spraying and tillage field demonstrations this year.
The biggest change to Ag Progress Days is the Equine Experience which includes seminars for horse owners.
The Pennsylvania State Police and 4-H Drill teams will offer demonstrations. There will even be a chance for the general public to ride horses. There are many attractions for young people in addition to the horses there are 4-H programs and exhibits, a petting zoo and a rappelling course.
For a cool treat, check out “Ice Cream—-the whole scoop.” This demonstration will include a chocolate “enrober” ( used to coat cherries, peanut butter and other candy centers).
If you like to shop for bargains, the Pasto Agricultural Museum will hold it’s third silent auction. Nearly 150 items, ranging from PSU/Nebraska football tickets, a full day of fly-fishing on the world-famous Spruce Creek, a new John Deere lawn tractor, a years supply of Penn State Creamery ice cream and a signed Joe Paterno photo. Auction catalogs are available at the site. Bidding will close promptly at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Successful bidders can pick-up their items after payment or make arrangements for shipping. For more information call Darwin Braund by phone at 814-863-1383 or by e-mail at pastoagmuseum@psu.edu. Proceeds will benefit the Penn State Ag Alumni Endowment for the Pasto Agriculture Museum. The museum has a permanent home at the Ag Progress Days site.
A listing of all the events can be obtained at apd.cas@psu.edu or 800-PSU-1010. Education, bargains, entertainment and great food are available at Ag Progress Days. Admission and parking are free. A bargain for everyone!
