UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — 4-H is an opportunity to introduce kids and teens to the wide world of agriculture, and the 4-H Youth Building has a slate of activities planned for youth of all ages at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10.
The building is located behind the Family Room on Main Street, between West Eighth and West Ninth streets at the Ag Progress Days site. Displays and exhibitors at the 4-H Youth Building during all three days of the expo will include the following:
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Pennsylvania 4-H: Visitors can learn about the state's 4-H program, and then build and launch their own catapult.
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Pennsylvania Dairy Princess and Promotion Services: Meet local and state dairy royalty, test your dairy knowledge by spinning the play wheel and solve a puzzle to learn the steps of milk production.
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Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association: Learn more about raising rabbits as a hobby as well as their uses throughout the state.
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Plants Get Sick, Too: This display, sponsored by Penn State’s Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, will allow visitors to use microscopes to get a closer look at what makes plants get sick. Attendees also will see many types of fungi that grow in the forest and on the farm.
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Governor's Youth Council on Hunting, Fishing and Conservation: Learn about what it takes to serve as a guide or agent in the District Conservation and Natural Resources Program in Pennsylvania.
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Become a citizen scientist: On Wednesday only, learn about best practices for small or backyard poultry housing. Kids will have the opportunity to play an egg-collection simulation while protecting the flock of poultry puppets from potential pathogens.
Other Ag Progress Days attractions for kids and families will take place throughout the grounds:
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Become a biodiversity ambassador: Stop by the Office for Research and Graduate Education booth in the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building, the Pasto Museum, or the Information Booth to ask for a biodiversity passport. Then, visit the biodiversity exhibit in the College Exhibits Building, the Pasto Museum, and the space between to explore the ways biodiversity helps to feed us and keep our Earth healthy. Search for hidden clues on the exhibit panels to complete your passport. Once you’ve completed your passport, return to the Research booth to receive your badge as a Biodiversity Ambassador.
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Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center wildlife tent: Located near the 4-H Youth Building, this exhibit will feature live animals, avian nest box management, and hands-on opportunities to learn about the flora and fauna of central Pennsylvania.
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Butterfly tent: Learn about pollinators and the plants that attract them, and then participate in an insect scavenger hunt and pollinator educational activities. This exhibit is located in the Yard and Garden Area.
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Pasto Agricultural Museum: Learn about farm and rural life before the widespread use of electricity and gas-powered equipment in the museum located on East Tenth Street across from the red barn.
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Corn maze: Children and adults can wander the giant maze, which is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible and located near the Harrington Building.
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Equine Experience: Visitors can meet horses from Penn State’s equine science program and see a variety of demonstrations at this exhibit located at the top of Main Street.
Sponsored by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, 9 miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 8; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 9; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website. Twitter users can find and share information about the event by using the hashtag #agprogressdays, and the event also can be found on Facebook.