Visitors to the farm safety demonstration area at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days can learn about the hazards of all-terrain vehicles and ways to minimize the risk of rollovers.

Four demonstrations — at 10 a.m. and noon Aug. 8 and Aug. 10 at this year’s show — will show the hazards related to ATV usage and highlight protective safety gear for ATV riders.

On Aug. 9, ag safety specialists will simulate a PTO entanglement emergency and demonstrate first responders’ approach to managing farm-related incidents. This demonstration will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Faculty members from the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Penn State will demonstrate the safe use of drones. Visitors can watch drones in action and learn about their uses in agriculture. The demonstrations are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Aug. 8 and Aug. 10.

Visitors to the rural health and safety tent, at the end of West Sixth Street and adjacent to the farm safety area, can take advantage of free health screenings, activities and information for all ages. Health specialists will offer carotid artery screenings, vision screenings, blood pressure screenings, and health and safety information from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

In addition, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health’s farmworker protection safety specialist will provide pesticide applicators with two opportunities daily to earn core pesticide credits by attending 30-minute presentations on pesticide safety topics. Two classes — each worth one core credit — will take place behind the rural health and safety tent:

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. 8; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 9; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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 (@AgProgressDays).

Help update Maryland hay and straw directory

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers looking for markets for their hay and straw to provide their contact information for a new state hay and straw directory. 

“This directory will be a valuable tool for farmers marketing their hay and straw and for their potential customers,” says Kevin Atticks, ag secretary. “I encourage farmers to take advantage of this promotional tool.”

To view the current directory list, visit mda.maryland.gov.

To include hay and straw for sale in the directory, contact Audrey Broomfield, agricultural marketing specialist, at 410-260-9349 or [email protected].

Vermont crops field day set

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program is putting on its annual field day July 27 at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh.

Farmers may attend for free; all others pay a $25 registration fee.

Advanced registration is required for all participants by July 25, with registrations accepted online at go.uvm.edu or through the UVM Non-Credit Registration Office at 802-656-8407.

Certified crop adviser; custom applicator; and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets water quality training education credits are available.

A barbecue lunch is included and will be catered by Phoenix House in Berkshire, with ice cream donated by Ben and Jerry’s for dessert.

The day will kick off at 10 a.m. with a tour of the farm, located at 487 Line Road. Participants will learn about research and experiments involving perennial forages, corn, soybeans, small grains, dry beans, hemp and other crops. There will also be an update on ongoing crop and soil research trials at the farm.

Options for afternoon intensive sessions will include soil health (greenhouse gases and biochar); integrated pest management, neonics and pollinators; malt barley (tastings and sensory information); forages (energy content and harvesting at different heights); and hemp processing.

In addition, there will be an opportunity to check out new equipment and visit with local vendors and businesses.

Details can be viewed at go.uvm.edu/conferences, or contact Susan Brouillette at [email protected] with questions.