By Blake Jackson
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is inviting visitors to Ag Progress Days (APD) to take part in interactive demonstrations, displays, and guided tours that highlight how conservation practices can enhance farm operations while protecting natural resources.
The annual event will be held in Rock Springs, PA, just nine miles south of State College, from August 12-15. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 12, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 13, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 14. Admission and parking are free.
“Ag Progress Days is our premier outreach event of the year. It’s a great opportunity for PA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to highlight our technical expertise and the types of assistance we provide,” said PA NRCS APD Coordinator Ashley Lenig.
“We are excited to showcase our new Livestock Management Practices Exhibit which features a concrete heavy use area and roofed waste storage facility. We will also have a soil tunnel this year to educate attendees on the importance of what is under their feet.”
The NRCS exhibit space in the Harrington Building will feature a cover crop display with over 20 legume, grass, and forb species, a soil health demonstration comparing conventional and conservation-managed soils, and an interactive web soil survey.
Outside, visitors can explore the soil health tunnel, view the livestock management demonstration including a solar-powered watering system and roofed manure storage and learn about grazing systems.
Tours will provide hands-on learning opportunities. The Managing Equine Pastures & Dry Lots tour will guide attendees through equine paddocks, covering grass and weed identification, proper pasture care, and dry lot design.
The Managing Livestock Pastures with Alternative Forages tour will showcase rotational grazing with Angus beef, highlight benefits of warm-season grasses and cover crops, and include a rainfall simulator demonstration.
Both tours depart from the Corn Crib at scheduled times throughout the three days, with opportunities to walk and join if the bus is missed.
NRCS offers free technical assistance and financial programs to help landowners meet production goals while conserving resources. The APD event gives farmers and land managers a chance to see these conservation practices in action and learn how they can apply them on their own operations.
Photo Credit: usda-nrcs
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Equipment & Machinery, Livestock