Ag Progress Days covers over 200 acres that are packed with machinery, exhibits, and displays and the man that oversees everything is Event Manager Bob Oberheim.
“There are more than 350 exhibitors here,” said Oberheim. “They come from as far away as California. We will have visitors from all 67 counties in Pennsylvania plus neighboring states and we will have international visitors as well. We expect 45,000-50,000 visitors. “
Ag Progress Days has grown over the past 10 years.
“In the early 90’s we had under 300 exhibitors; now we are over 350,” said Oberheim. “We’ve added additional buildings and programs. We’ve increased the show grounds by 35 percent. Our most popular exhibits are the Ask the Expert in which we have agronomists and horticulturalists on hand to answer questions. We have a diverse exhibitor base which makes for something for everyone.”
One of the people doing an educational demonstration is hoof trimmer, Paul Neer of Belleville.
“Because a lot of cows are on concrete 24 hours a day, hoof trimming is important for maintainence too,” said Neer.
Betweed Neer and two other trimmers he trained, trim between 2500 and 2700 dairy cows per year in central Pennsylvania.
Another popular event was the “Ride A Horse” program. Anyone five years of age and older can sign up to ride a horse. This event is sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association.
“We hope to introduce people to the American Quarter Horse,” said Trey Buck of the American Quarter Horse Association. “We want them to get on a horse and feel what it’s like to be on a horse.” This is the first year for this event and it proved to be quite popular.
At the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Program exhibit dairy princesses will pass out information , stickers and glasses of cold milk. They will pass out over 330 gallons of Ritchey’s Dairy milk.
“It was nice for her to work with all of the princesses from across the state,” said Pennsylvania State Dairy Princess Becky Mowrer of Huntingdon said .”Alternate Dairy Princess Sara Jennings added, “It’s an excellent chance to reach young and old people, farm and non farm people to tell them the importance of milk.”
There are more than 18 non-profit groups selling everything from funnel cakes to rib-eye steaks. At the Pennsylvania Guernsey booth they will sell over 5,000 milkshakes in three days! Junior Advisor, Melissa (Morrow) Kohler of Kutztown (formally of Sinking Valley) is the coordinator of the group of young people.
