Event Schedule and Official Program

Ponds are prevalent in the Pennsylvania landscape and provide enjoyment to numerous landowners. While some ponds occur naturally, most are dug or dammed by landowners for various purposes. This pond tour is aimed at helping private pond owners make informed management choices for their ponds. The tour will take place at an on-site pond. It will cover essential pond plant identification, how to conduct basic pond water quality tests, how land uses 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.

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.

Pesticide safety is important, wearing personal protective equipment, along with proper education are the best ways to protect yourself. In this 30 min. presentation you will learn how to select the proper PPE for the job. How to wear it correctly, and how to dispose of it when the job is finished. This talk will be worth 1 core credit towards your pesticide license recertification. You must be present for the entire presentation to receive credit. Meeting to be held in a new location this year W906 on the APD map.

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.

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.

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

Presented by Dr. Raul Sorto

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

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.

"Life in a Nest Box of American Kestrels and Barn Owls." This program will provide in depth look of the breeding behavior of two farmland raptors, the American Kestrel and Barn Owl through live nestcam footage.

PA Department of Agriculture and partners will discuss resources, support and why Farm Progression Planning is important for PA agriculture's future.

During this 30 min. presentation you will learn about how the WPS was created to protect the farm workers in America, and what protections to expect if you work in agriculture. This talk will be worth 1 core credit towards your pesticide license recertification. You must be present for the entire presentation to receive credit. Meeting to be held in a new location this year W906 on the APD map.

This tour features ongoing research on the sustainable management of soil health and soilborne pests and pathogens in open field and high tunnel vegetable production systems.

Ponds are prevalent in the Pennsylvania landscape and provide enjoyment to numerous landowners. While some ponds occur naturally, most are dug or dammed by landowners for various purposes. This pond tour is aimed at helping private pond owners make informed management choices for their ponds. The tour will take place at an on-site pond. It will cover essential pond plant identification, how to conduct basic pond water quality tests, how land uses 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.

This tour features ongoing research on the sustainable management of soil health and soilborne pests and pathogens in open field and high tunnel vegetable production systems.

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.

Pesticide safety is important, wearing personal protective equipment, along with proper education are the best ways to protect yourself. In this 30 min. presentation you will learn how to select the proper PPE for the job. How to wear it correctly, and how to dispose of it when the job is finished. This talk will be worth 1 core credit towards your pesticide license recertification. You must be present for the entire presentation to receive credit. Meeting to be held in a new location this year W906 on the APD map.

The topic of the informational meeting is Partnerships in Agriculture: A Sweet Investment in On-Farm Conservation and any other business that may come before the committee.

Sarah Kania 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.

Join Aline Novaski, Chenchen Kang, Long He, and Francesco Di Gioia to learn about advancing the sustainability of controlled environment agricultural systems.

Spotted Lanternfly 101

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.

Please join us for a panel discussion between industry leaders and Pennsylvanian farmers exploring climate-smart farming practices and their practical applications on Pennsylvania farmland. This session will also cover legislative topics related to climate provisions in the upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill.

Join us for an insightful webinar hosted by the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Agriculture Center of Excellence (Ag COE) in partnership with the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP). This webinar aims to empower Pennsylvania Agricultural Producers and Small Businesses seeking guidance, support, and funding opportunities.

During this 30 min. presentation you will learn about how the WPS was created to protect the farm workers in America, and what protections to expect if you work in agriculture. This talk will be worth 1 core credit towards your pesticide license recertification. You must be present for the entire presentation to receive credit. Meeting to be held in a new location this year W906 on the APD map.

"Life in a Nest Box of American Kestrels and Barn Owls." This program will provide in depth look of the breeding behavior of two farmland raptors, the American Kestrel and Barn Owl through live nestcam footage.

This public event will be hosted by Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District and Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. He will provide attendees with the latest updates from Washington and highlight the Committee’s work to reauthorize the Farm Bill. After, attendees are encouraged to participate in a Q&A session.

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.

Ponds are prevalent in the Pennsylvania landscape and provide enjoyment to numerous landowners. While some ponds occur naturally, most are dug or dammed by landowners for various purposes. This pond tour is aimed at helping private pond owners make informed management choices for their ponds. The tour will take place at an on-site pond. It will cover essential pond plant identification, how to conduct basic pond water quality tests, how land uses 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.

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.

Pesticide safety is important, wearing personal protective equipment, along with proper education are the best ways to protect yourself. In this 30 min. presentation you will learn how to select the proper PPE for the job. How to wear it correctly, and how to dispose of it when the job is finished. This talk will be worth 1 core credit towards your pesticide license recertification. You must be present for the entire presentation to receive credit. Meeting to be held in a new location this year W906 on the APD map.

Panel Discussion with Penn Future Organization and partners to discuss funding and other program initiatives to benefit local PA Farmers. Speakers will include: Doug Wolfgang, Executive Secretary, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission; Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Executive Director, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture; and Michael Mehrazar, Advocacy Manager, PennFuture and Denise Coleman, State Conservationist, NRCS

Sarah Kania 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.

Join the Panel Discussion with Ag Scientists, led by Estelle Couradeau, Assistant Professor of Soils and Environmental Microbiology, on Soil health and soil microbes.

Presented by Abby Hodder, Assist. Clinical Prof. of Canine Behavioral Welfare

Spotted Lantern Fly Research updates presented by Anne Johnson, Doctoral Student in Entomology

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.

"Life in a Nest Box of American Kestrels and Barn Owls." This program will provide in depth look of the breeding behavior of two farmland raptors, the American Kestrel and Barn Owl through live nestcam footage.

Join the Rodale Institute, TeamAg, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Penn State Extension, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for a discussion about what is involved in transitioning to USDA certified organic and the abundance of free services available to assist producers in Pennsylvania. Come with questions or just come to listen and learn. These Thursday seminars will be held at the College Building Theatre. Topics to be addressed: PA Preferred Organic™; technical support for transitioning to organic certification; agronomic, financial, marketing, and regulatory consulting provided for farmers transitioning to organic production; The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), and Organic Study Circles.

During this 30 min. presentation you will learn about how the WPS was created to protect the farm workers in America, and what protections to expect if you work in agriculture. This talk will be worth 1 core credit towards your pesticide license recertification. You must be present for the entire presentation to receive credit. Meeting to be held in a new location this year W906 on the APD map.

Join the Rodale Institute, TeamAg, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Penn State Extension, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for a discussion about what is involved in transitioning to USDA certified organic and the abundance of free services available to assist producers in Pennsylvania. Come with questions or just come to listen and learn. These Thursday seminars will be held at the College Building Theatre. Topics to be addressed: PA Preferred Organic™; technical support for transitioning to organic certification; agronomic, financial, marketing, and regulatory consulting provided for farmers transitioning to organic production; The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), and Organic Study Circles.

Join the Rodale Institute, TeamAg, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Penn State Extension, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for a discussion about what is involved in transitioning to USDA certified organic and the abundance of free services available to assist producers in Pennsylvania. Come with questions or just come to listen and learn. These Thursday seminars will be held at the College Building Theatre. Topics to be addressed: PA Preferred Organic™; technical support for transitioning to organic certification; agronomic, financial, marketing, and regulatory consulting provided for farmers transitioning to organic production; The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), and Organic Study Circles.

Join the Rodale Institute, TeamAg, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Penn State Extension, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for a discussion about what is involved in transitioning to USDA certified organic and the abundance of free services available to assist producers in Pennsylvania. Come with questions or just come to listen and learn. These Thursday seminars will be held at the College Building Theatre. Topics to be addressed: PA Preferred Organic™; technical support for transitioning to organic certification; agronomic, financial, marketing, and regulatory consulting provided for farmers transitioning to organic production; The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), and Organic Study Circles.

This tour features ongoing research on the sustainable management of soil health and soilborne pests and pathogens in open field and high tunnel vegetable production systems.