UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Reauthorization of the federal farm bill, emerging and climate-smart technologies, and other agricultural policy matters will be the focus of several events at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15 at Rock Springs.
State and federal government officials, Penn State experts, and industry leaders will be on hand to discuss — and hear comments on — policies and issues affecting Pennsylvania and U.S. agriculture during the three-day expo, which draws as many as 50,000 agricultural producers, consumers and families from around the state for displays, workshops, tours and demonstrations.
Scheduled events include the following:
— Town Hall Discussion on Pennsylvania Agriculture, 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, Red Barn Annex and via webinar at https://psu.zoom.us/j/94081326471. New College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Troy Ott and Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding will discuss the current state of Pennsylvania agriculture, including emerging issues and opportunities, with a focus on the implications of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy. A question-and-answer session will take place after opening remarks.
— Panel Discussion: Farm Progression Planning, 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, Red Barn Annex. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and partners will highlight available resources and support while discussing why farm progression planning is important for the future of Pennsylvania agriculture.
— Joint Informational Meeting of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees, 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Aug. 14, Red Barn Annex. This meeting is open to the public, as space permits. The topic is Partnerships in Agriculture: A Sweet Investment in On-Farm Conservation, as well as any other business that may come before the committees.
— Farmers’ Insight: Adapting and Thriving with Climate-Smart Practices in Agriculture, 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, Farm Family Learning Center. This panel discussion among industry leaders and Pennsylvanian farmers will explore climate-smart farming practices and their practical applications on Pennsylvania farmland. This session also will cover legislative topics related to climate provisions in the upcoming reauthorization of the farm bill.
— Farm Bill Forum with U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, College Exhibits Building Theater. U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who represents Pennsylvania’s 15th District and chairs the House Agriculture Committee, will provide the latest updates from Washington and highlight the committee’s work to reauthorize the farm bill. This session will include a question-and-answer period.
— Panel Discussion: Cultivating PA’s Ag Tech and Robotics Ecosystem, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, Red Barn Annex. Hosted by the public-private partnership Team Pennsylvania and the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Technology for Agriculture and Living Systems Initiative, this session will bring together professionals from the technology and robotics fields and leaders in the agriculture industry. Panelists will discuss southwestern Pennsylvania’s tech and robotics ecosystem, and agricultural industry experts will provide insights on the current and future roles of technology and automation.
Elsewhere on the grounds, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Building will house exhibits and presentations covering several state initiatives, such as programs in animal and plant health, food assistance, food safety, farmland preservation and PA Preferred.
At other exhibit areas, visitors can learn about governmental services and programs that may help them address production or economic challenges. Among state and federal agencies represented at the event will be the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; the state Department of Environmental Protection; the Pennsylvania Game Commission; and several U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Farm Service Agency and National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Sponsored by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, 9 miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 13; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 14; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website. The official hashtag for social media is #agprogressdays, and the event also can be found on Facebook (@AgProgressDays).