By Anna Hodgson and Jeffrey S Graybill
Next week, August 13-15, 2024 is the annual Ag Progress Days at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center (2710 W. Pine Grove Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865). Come check out various booths, events, and activities related to field and forage crop production. Below are a few highlights, but not an exhaustive list. For more information, check out the Ag Progress Days website.
One-Day Activities
Pennsylvania dairy producers can learn more about CARAT climate-smart program
When: August 14, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Room W906 (aka Old Dutchway Building) on West 9th Street.
If you're a Pennsylvania dairy farmer, you will have a chance to learn about the CARAT climate-smart program at this year’s Ag Progress Days. Speakers will include Jayne Sebright and Melissa Anderson of the Center for Dairy Excellence and Matt Royer of Penn State. Representatives from other CARAT partners, Red Barn Consulting and Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, will also be in attendance.
CARAT is a USDA-funded pilot project led by Penn State that offers dairy producers the financial and technical help they need to adopt climate-smart practices on their farms. The program aims to help producers improve dairy environmental performance and participate in climate-smart commodities markets.
At this meeting, learn why you should participate, how to apply, what priority climate-smart practices can be funded, and how partners will work with you through planning, implementation, and exploring market opportunities.
Organic Farming Opportunities Seminars
When: August 15, 2024, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: College Exhibits Building Theater (Main and West 10th Street)
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. 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.
Daily Activities
Ask the Expert Booth
When: August 13-15, 2024, all day
Where: Joseph D. Harrington Building (JDH)
Get your agronomy questions answered by chatting with educators and specialists from the Field and Forage Crops Team.
Hay Show Display and Contest
When: August 13-15, 2024, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Where: Joseph D. Harrington Building (JDH)
Visit the Hay sample display in the back of the building to see the premium samples entered.
Mix and Match: Optimizing Cover Crop Mixtures for Your Farm's Goals
When: August 13-15, 2024, 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Where: American National/Farm Family Learning Ctr (FF)
Cover Crop Research Team Updates Possible Speakers: Kara Eckert, Penn State Agricultural and Environmental Plant Science Graduate Student Jennifer Harris, Penn State Plant Sciences Ecology Graduate Student Emma Rice, Penn State Plant Sciences Ecology Graduate Student Brosi Bradley, Penn State 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 Penn State long-term cover crop mixtures trial will also be shared.
Equipment Demos
10:30 AM Hay Mowing and Tedding
11:45 AM Planting Green/Cover Crop
12:30 PM Corn Planters
2:15 PM Hay Raking, Baling, and Bale Hand
Source : psu.edu