2016 - 2017 College of Agricultural Sciences Speaker Series at The Village at Penn State

Each year the Penn State Agricultural Safety and Health program highlights a safety topic important to the everyday lives of farm families. Join us to learn about the hazards of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) which are commonly used on the farm and for recreational activities. The team will show the potential for a rollover incident, ways to reduce the risk of an overturn, and highlight the use of personal protective equipment. There will be two ATV safety demonstrations on Tuesday and Thursday.

Solar on the Farm presented by Dan Ciolkosz, Penn State Extension

Please join us at Ag Progress Days on August 13 for a Town Hall Session with College of Ag Sciences Dean Troy Ott and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. They 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.

Credit Markets for Renewables presented by Ed Johnstonbaugh, Exodus Renewables

Nash Turley speaks to discuss this program and activities. Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are working with the Lopez-Uribe Lab from Penn State in a multi-year effort to increase understanding of Pennsylvania's native bee population. This community science project leverages Master Gardeners' interest in pollinators while providing advanced training on the protocols used to collect, pin, label, and identify native bees.

This tour features a demonstration using horses with hands-on activities in equine pastures. Producers will gain an understanding of pasture management for horses, “do’s” and “don’ts” of sacrifice areas, and tools needed to help improve equine operations. We will walk through the fields and talk about grass and weed identification, innovative pasture methods, and dry lot design for horses on limited acreage at the demonstration site.

This tour features hands-on activities with cattle on pastures. Producers will leave with an understanding of paddock fencing and watering system components, with in-depth discussion about evaluation of diverse cover crop mixes including root structure and soil health indicators. High stock-density grazing will be demonstrated with a small herd of cattle, and we will talk about the use of alternative forages for pasture production. Other topics will be soil health principles and how annual forages can be used to renovate a degraded pasture without doing tillage

Would you know what to do if you were first on the scene and someone was bleeding from a serious injury? Penn State Health and Geisinger Health will provide Stop the Bleed training on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. After completing the 20–30-minute training, each family will receive a free Stop the Bleed kit (while supplies last).

Siting Considerations for Large Scale Solar presented by Matthew Svetz, Penn State Extension

Join Melissa Cantor, Assistant Professor Precision Dairy, to learn about how dairy farmers use technologies to manage their dairy cattle.

Solar Energy Perspectives in Communities and Local Government presented by Dan Brockett, Penn State Extension. Open discussing following at 12:00 pm

Presented by Dr. Raul Sorto

NEW TOUR AND TOUR SITE 2024 This tour focuses on the importance of planting and maintaining trees and shrubs to create a multifunctional stream buffer that will improve water quality, wildlife habitat, livestock health, property value, and provide edible or medicinal plants. You will learn about the 3 P’s of tree establishment-Preparation, Planting, and Protection-to increase tree survival and reduce competition from invasive weeds. See demonstration livestock practices such as fencing and stream crossings and learn about financial assistance programs available. See and learn how to plant native grass fields to increase sustainability and help declining pollinators and beneficial insects.

Sign-up required 30 min. prior

Each year the Penn State Agricultural Safety and Health program highlights a safety topic important to the everyday lives of farm families. Join us to learn about the hazards of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) which are commonly used on the farm and for recreational activities. The team will show the potential for a rollover incident, ways to reduce the risk of an overturn, and highlight the use of personal protective equipment. There will be two ATV safety demonstrations on Tuesday and Thursday.

Spotted Lantern Fly Research updates presented by Julie Urban, Associate Research Professor

Would you know what to do if you were first on the scene and someone was bleeding from a serious injury? Penn State Health and Geisinger Health will provide Stop the Bleed training on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. After completing the 20–30-minute training, each family will receive a free Stop the Bleed kit (while supplies last).

This tour will visit each of the University- Research farms at the Rock Springs Facility. Farm managers will present a brief overview of the farm history, current research, and student involvement as well as answer participant questions.

Cover Crop Research Team Updates Possible Speakers: Kara Eckert, PSU Agricultural and Environmental Plant Science Graduate Student Jennifer Harris, PSU Plant Sciences Ecology Graduate Student Emma Rice, PSU Plant Sciences Ecology Graduate Student Brosi Bradley, PSU Ecosystem Science and Management Research Technician Description: Join us for a discussion to share your experience with cover crops, and discuss specifically how multiple benefits of mixtures could fit into your farm goals. Information from our PSU long term cover crop mixtures trial will also be shared.