UNIVERSITY PARK — Agricultural innovation, Pennsylvania’s livestock industry and the federal farm bill are among the topics that will take center stage when government officials gather to discuss agricultural policy matters at several public events during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 12 to 14 at Rock Springs.

State and federal government elected officials and agency representatives, Penn State experts, and industry leaders will be on hand to explain current and proposed policies and engage with stakeholders on issues affecting Pennsylvania and U.S. agriculture during the three-day expo. Ag Progress Days draws as many as 50,000 agricultural producers, consumers and families from around the state for displays, workshops, tours and demonstrations.

Scheduled events include the following:

• Town Hall Discussion on Pennsylvania Agriculture, 10 to 11 a.m. Aug. 12, Red Barn Annex and via webinar https://psu.zoom.us/j/94081326471. College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Troy Ott and Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding will discuss the current state of Pennsylvania agriculture, including emerging issues and opportunities, with a special emphasis on innovation. A question-and-answer session will take place after opening remarks.
• Town Hall: Balancing Wildlife and Agriculture, 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, Red Barn Annex. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Hunters Sharing the Harvest will discuss how cooperation among the organizations can help to solve issues and reduce conflicts.
• Joint Informational Meeting of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees, 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Aug. 13, Red Barn Annex. This meeting is open to the public, as space permits. The topic is “The State of the Livestock Industry in Pennsylvania: Forum with U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building Theater. Thompson, who represents Pennsylvania’s 15th District and chairs the House Agriculture Committee, will provide the latest updates from Washington and highlight the committee’s work to reauthorize the farm bill. This session will include a question-and-answer period.

In addition to the scheduled events, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Building will house exhibits and presentations covering several state initiatives, such as programs in animal and plant health, food assistance, food safety, farmland preservation and PA Preferred.

At other exhibit areas, visitors can learn about governmental services and programs that may help them address production or economic challenges. Among the state and federal agencies represented at the event will be the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; the state Department of Environmental Protection; the Pennsylvania Game Commission; and several U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Farm Service Agency, and National Agricultural Statistics Service.

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. Aug. 12; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 13; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website. The official hashtag for social media is #agprogressdays, and the event also can be found on Facebook (@AgProgressDays).