The Interview: Jesse Darlington



Farming and Penn State have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised in Happy Valley, spending my early years on a farm in Boalsburg, and then moving to a farm in the Penns Valley area after graduating from high school. Our farm raises registered Percheron draft horses and Black Angus beef cattle. We also grow the feed to support our operation.

Agriculture is what my family does. I am a 12th-generation farmer. My father was born on a farm near Philadelphia, on land granted to his family by William Penn in 1684. My father and his father before him, both Jesse Darlingtons, graduated from Penn State’s College of Agriculture, which was what the college was named at the time. I became the third Jesse Darlington to graduate from the college, followed by my oldest son, Jesse, and my middle son, Justin, who have become fourth and fifth, respectively. My youngest son, Jack, is a sophomore majoring in Plant Sciences.

Being from a farm family, attending Penn State’s Ag Progress Days was a family tradition. I still remember the demonstrations that wowed me: horses, model rockets, and large equipment. Those experiences inspired me to join 4-H and sparked my desire to be part of the show. I loved the energy of the event, working with exhibitors, meeting people, and seeing the latest equipment and demonstrations. It feels fitting that my early experiences would eventually lead to a part-time job at Penn State and Ag Progress Days. Over time, I advanced to site manager and eventually show manager. In my current role, I focus on supporting and growing the show.

It has always been important for our family to support the agricultural industry in ways beyond our farming practices. The College of Agricultural Sciences has given me incredible opportunities throughout my career to do just that. I’ve worked with so many remarkable colleagues and partners across the agricultural industry during my 30 years with Penn State. Being part of Ag Progress Days enables me to help promote agriculture and showcase impact and innovation. I encourage everyone to attend the show and see firsthand the latest advancements in agriculture.