42,000 Attend Penn State Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs

By Blake Jackson

Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, held August 12-14 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Rock Springs, was hailed as a strong showcase of agricultural innovation, technology, and research by leaders from the College of Agricultural Sciences, which organizes the event each year.

The three-day agricultural expo welcomed an estimated 42,000 attendees from across Pennsylvania and neighboring states. Visitors included farmers, agribusiness representatives, policymakers, families, gardeners, environmental advocates, and horse enthusiasts.

Guests had the opportunity to explore more than 430 educational and commercial exhibits, tour the research center, observe farm safety and equipment demonstrations, attend presentations and workshops, and participate in hands-on youth activities. The event also featured displays promoting healthy living and food education.

Highlighting the role of Penn State as a land-grant institution, Dean Troy Ott emphasized the university’s commitment to advancing agriculture through science and innovation.

“As Pennsylvania’s only land-grant university, we serve agriculture by developing science-based solutions, technological innovations, and a highly trained workforce to address the challenges and capture the opportunities that will drive economic prosperity in the commonwealth,” Ott said.

“At Ag Progress Days, we were able to give producers, policymakers and the public a glimpse of how their land-grant university is using the resources entrusted to us to advance and deploy these technologies and find solutions to the challenges we face.”

Ott noted that exhibits featuring machine vision and robotics in fruit and mushroom production drew considerable interest, including from Governor Josh Shapiro and state legislators supportive of the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program.

Event manager Jesse Darlington explained that the show offers more than exposure to the latest farm technologies. “The presence of our faculty and Penn State Extension educators sets our show apart from others because we can offer a variety of resources and educational programs for our visitors,” Darlington said.

Darlington also credited commercial exhibitors for contributing to the event’s success, providing equipment, supplies, and knowledge that support Pennsylvania farmers.

Looking ahead, Ag Progress Days will return August 11-13, 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of the event’s permanent move to Rock Springs. Special activities are planned to celebrate the milestone.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-steve-baccon