Campus Life

Penn State University Press to showcase new books at Ag Progress Days

Attendees will find new local interest and nature books at the three-day expo

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Press will showcase an array of books that highlight Pennsylvania’s history and natural environment at Ag Progress Days, to be held Aug. 13-15 in Pennsylvania Furnace.

Books for sale will include new Penn State University Press titles such as "Twilight of the Hemlocks and Beeches," by award-winning nature photographer Tim Palmer, and "Reading Shaver’s Creek: Ecological Reflections from an Appalachian Forest," as well as perennial favorites such as Bill Russell’s "Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic" (now in a revised and expanded edition) and "Common Nymphs of Eastern North America: A Primer for Flyfishers and Flytiers" by Caleb J. Tzilkowski and Jay R. Stauffer Jr.

The sale will take place inside the Pasto Agricultural Museum during all three days of the expo.

“We’re excited to attend Ag Progress Days for the fourth year in a row,” said Kathryn Yahner, Penn State University Press acquisitions editor. “It’s a great opportunity to share our regional books with members of our local community. Being there it’s easy to see that our community is one that loves Pennsylvania just as much as we do.”

Yahner is the editor of the press’ "Keystone Books" series; the books in this series are “accessible, well-researched explorations into the history, culture, society and environment of the Keystone State.”

Mushroom expert Bill Russell Credit: ProvidedAll Rights Reserved.

On Wednesday, Aug. 14, Penn State University Press will host two author signings. At 11:30 a.m., Russell will sign copies of his "Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic."

At 1:30 p.m. there will be a signing of "Shale Play: Poems and Photographs from the Fracking Fields" by poet Julia Spicher Kasdorf, Penn State professor of English and women's, gender and sexuality studies; and photographer Steven Rubin, Penn State associate professor of art, whose book examines the impact of fracking on Pennsylvania communities by using the words of citizens, workers and activists in those towns.

Julia Spicher Kasdorf, left, and Steven Rubin. Credit: ProvidedAll Rights Reserved.

Visitors to the expo are invited to stop by the Penn State University Press booth inside the Pasto Agricultural Museum to purchase signed copies of the books and to chat with the authors about their work.

The Pasto Agricultural Museum connects the history and science of agriculture for almost 10,000 visitors annually. Exhibits and programs interpret historic artifacts and explore present-day research related to food, feed, fuel and fiber production. For programs and directions, visit agsci.psu.edu/pasto.

Last Updated July 26, 2019