UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Sometimes the best way to experience a new idea or learn a new concept is to see it firsthand. That’s what visitors to Penn State’s Ag Progress Days can expect to do by attending any of nine educational tours.
The exposition will be held Aug. 11-13 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, located 9 miles west of State College along Route 45. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Rock Springs as the permanent Ag Progress Days site.
The tours are free and open to anyone from any industry or background. Each tour is about an hour long. Transportation is provided by bus for most of the tours, though participants should expect some standing and walking. Tours leave from the corn crib near the top of Main Street at the show site.
The tours will include:
• Managing pastures with sheep and alternative forages. Producers will learn about paddock fencing, watering systems, diverse annual forages, root structure and soil health indicators.
• Multifunctional stream buffers and native grass field tour. The bus leaves daily at 11:30 a.m.
Participants will learn how trees and shrubs can create multifunctional stream buffers. These stream buffers can improve water quality, wildlife habitat, livestock health and property value, while providing edible or medicinal plants. Tour leaders will discuss the three P’s of tree establishment: preparation, planting and protection.
Participants also will see demonstrations of livestock practices, such as fencing and stream crossings, and learn about financial assistance programs. Tour leaders will discuss how to plant native grass fields to improve sustainability and support declining pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Woodlot tour, tree and plant identification. Participants will learn to identify common and native trees and plants using key characteristics. Presenters will discuss the ecological and practical uses of trees and plants. The bus leaves Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• The Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center Farms tour will visit each of the University’s research farms at the Rock Springs facility. Farm managers will discuss each farm’s history, current research and student involvement and will answer questions.
• Open field and high tunnel organic and sustainable vegetable production research. Those attending will learn about ongoing research on the sustainable management of soil health and soilborne pests and pathogens in open field and high tunnel vegetable production systems, as well as a tomato variety trial. The bus leaves Tuesday at 3 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m. and Thursday at 3 p.m.
• The rural and farm pond management tour is aimed at helping private pond owners make informed management choices. Tour leaders will discuss pond plant identification, how to conduct basic pond water quality tests, how land use and runoff can affect ponds, and basic pond ecology. Participants should be prepared to walk outdoors on uneven terrain around the pond and have comfortable closed-toe walking shoes. The bus leaves daily at 10 a.m.
• Composting. Penn State Extension’s composting team will demonstrate mortality composting techniques. Topics will include proper windrow building, temperature collection and windrow turning techniques. Participants can learn how composting windrows can support organic material management on dairy, swine and poultry operations. An active compost windrow has been established on-site and will be approximately six months old at the time of the demonstration. The bus leaves daily at 11 a.m.
• Honeybee drone congregation. Honey bee mating occurs away from the hives at sites called drone congregation areas. Both male bees, called drones, and unmated queens leave the hive late in the afternoon in hopes of successfully mating. Visitors will see drones gather at a site that is used year after year by the bees. This tour requires excellent weather and will be canceled if there is rain or wind. The bus leaves Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
