UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Visitors to Penn State’s Ag Progress Days can learn about diseases caused by pathogens transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and West Nile virus.

Information about mental health and wellness will also be shared, recognizing that farming can be stressful due to so many variables are out of farmers’ control.

Further, educators will share information on food, nutrition and physical fitness, along with tips for chronic disease prevention and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. What’s more, visitors can find ideas and resources on parenting and childcare, grandparents raising grandchildren and financial management.

Digital literacy and online safety information will be shared, using resources for youth and parents, adults, and seniors on a series of topics related to the internet.

Yet another topic is colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers in Pennsylvania. Rural communities are hit harder by this disease, according to experts from the Penn State Cancer Institute. Visitors can get information on available screening options and steps they can take to protect their health.

Information on sun safety and skin cancer prevention will be talked about too. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. One in five Americans develops skin cancer in their lifetime, and one person dies of melanoma every hour. The farming community is especially at risk given their exposure to ultraviolet light. Skin cancer can be prevented, and if caught early, it is treatable. Penn State Health dermatologists continue to focus on skin cancer education, prevention and treatment.

Visitors also can stop by the WellSpan Mobile Health Clinic, located behind the Family Room building. The clinic, through donations and grants from the community, uses a free clinic model to increase access to health care and promote healthy choices for under-resourced communities in rural Pennsylvania. During Ag Progress Days, the mobile clinic will offer information about Lyme disease and ticks geared for kids, promote healthy lifestyles, and educate the community on bicycle safety.