Explore Penn State Ag Research at Ag Progress Days 2025

By Blake Jackson

Travelers along Pennsylvania Route 45 in Centre County may notice fields filled with small crop plots, scientific instruments, and research buildings just west of Pine Grove Mills.

These are part of Penn State’s 2,400-acre Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, where cutting-edge agricultural research takes place.

Curious visitors will have a chance to explore this research firsthand during Ag Progress Days, scheduled for August 12-14, 2025. Hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the event features guided bus tours and demonstrations led by researchers and Penn State Extension educators.

Each tour is free and begins at the corn crib near Main Street, except the Water Wellhead Safety tour, which departs from near the Pasto Agricultural Museum entrance and does not require a ticket. Tours typically run for about an hour and may involve walking or standing.

Highlights include:

• Research Center Farms Tour: Explore research in horticulture, agronomy, entomology, and plant pathology. Offered daily at 9:30 a.m. and noon, with an extra session Wednesday at 2 p.m.
• Rural and Farm Pond Management: Learn about pond plant ID, water testing, and ecological balance. Leaves daily at 9 a.m.
• Organic Vegetable Production: Tour high tunnels and open fields to learn about organic tomato and cucumber farming. Offered Tuesday and Thursday at 3 p.m., and Wednesday at 9 a.m.
• Beef Cattle and Alternative Forages: See how crossbred cattle are finished on nontraditional forage. Multiple times available Tuesday through Thursday.
• Forest Slash Wall: Discover how debris barriers can protect young trees from deer. Tours run twice daily on Tuesday through Thursday.
• Stream Buffers and Native Grasses: Understand how multifunctional plantings can improve ecosystems. Departs daily at 11:30 a.m.
• Equine Pasture Management: Features pasture care, weed ID, and drylot designs. Multiple times Tuesday to Thursday.
• Livestock Pastures and Cover Crops: Learn grazing strategies and pasture renovation techniques. Offered several times daily.
• Water Wellhead Safety: A walking tour focused on private well maintenance and protection.

Ag Progress Days takes place at the Rock Springs site, 9 miles southwest of State College. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday. Admission and parking are free. Visit the Ag Progress Days website for more details.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-klosfoto