Event Schedule and Official Program

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).

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

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 Anne Johnson, Doctoral Student in Entomology

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.

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).

"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.

Penn State Extension's Vector-Borne Disease team focuses on diseases caused by pathogens transmitted by ticks and mosquitos, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and West Nile virus. Information and activities on recognizing ticks and mosquitoes and ways to protect yourself, your family, your pets, and your livestock from vector-borne diseases will be provided.

Meet with Penn State Extension Water Resource Team members at the Entrance JDH

Goods From the Woods is the featured topic for this year’s easy woods walking tour. There is lots to learn about the many things we harvest and use from forests, and they are not just different types of wood! Forestry and wildlife professionals will lead the interactive tours and be on hand to answer your questions. They will also connect participants to Cooperative Extension resources about forests, wildlife, and habitat management.

Learn how to enhance the home garden by engaging in topics related to pollinators, native plants, soil health, composting, and establishing plants in the landscape.