Free Admission

Lunch will be provided and is sponsored by the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and Pennsylvania Agronomic Education Society, Inc.

Presentations

• Got Milk?…(not without crops) — Pennsylvania farming is synonymous with animals, but all those farm animals eat tons of feed each day. Growing crops, in an environmentally friendly way, as feed for livestock is the first step to keeping agriculture alive in PA.
• Soil — The Vital Substrate — Soil supports crops, flowers, trees, and is home to billions of organisms; it is essential for purifying water and provides support and materials for construction and development; and it is critical for recycling elements vital for plant growth, as well as organic and inorganic wastes. So, what happens when these productive lands are used for homes, shopping malls, and parking lots, or are lost by soil erosion? The future of all life is directly linked to our understanding and appreciation of soil and land management.
• Biofuel Bonanza: Fields of Fuel — All of us have seen the ads on TV for the new Flexible Fuel Vehicles, “live green go yellow”, “ethanol-E85” “soydiesel-B20” and others. Agronomy is on the cutting edge of this and is the first step in the process of renewable, home-grown energy that will be used in these vehicles. Corn, soybean, small grains, switchgrass, and other crops and by-products can be used to produce fuels from the field. Learn about this new wave of energy that can be used now and in the future.
• Putting Pesticides in Perspective — Just how bad are pesticides? Are they as nasty as the media and the movie stars say they are and should be outlawed? Or are they unjustly accused? How does the toxicity of pesticides compare to naturally occurring compounds in nature and even certain foods we eat? This session will put into perspective the benefits and risks of pesticides and other things we encounter daily.

Agroecology Day 2006 Overview

Do you think agriculture is boring?…well, Think AGain — Think AGronomy! Each day we use products directly related to agriculture. From the food we eat, to the clothes we wear, to the fuel that powers our vehicles; there is some element of agroecology in each of these items. Agronomy is a major component of agroecology and includes many activities that effect the environment and human populations; it’s not just plowing and planting.

This event is designed for high school students to get a better understanding of agroecology, how it relates to their lives and the importance of agronomy to the economy in Pennsylvania. Participants will have an opportunity to learn and see the various aspects associated with crop and soil management and discuss the many ecological factors that impact them. The topics will deal with how agronomy affects not only farmers, but all people.

This field day will also provide students with an opportunity to visit Penn State’s Research Farm, observe some of the experiments in progress, and discuss various agroecology concepts with Penn State researchers. So, the next time you use certain products, you will have a better understanding of why crops and soils are so important!

*Please see accompanying sheet for registration information.

Registration:

Open the registration form for Agroecology Day 2006 in PDF format.

Comments from teachers/participants from past AgroEcology Days

“Thank you for putting on such a wonderful learning activity for my students.”

“Excellent hands-on presentations/instructions, even involved kids with no farm experience.”

“The Professor that was in charge of the fertilizer station was incredible…my students loved his enthusiasm, humor, and visual aids. He did an amazing job!”

“I think everyone could benefit from this workshop.”

“The AgroEcology Day was a worthwhile activity. I'd definitely attend again in the future.”

“There was a lot of variety for the students and that helped to keep them interested and involved.”

“This was the best event I have taken my students to.”

“I was impressed with the knowledge the kids had after the demonstrations.”

“A great way to have students see some connections that ag has on everyday life.”

“I feel it was worthwhile (for) my group (to get) introduced to the wide world of agriculture.”

Learn about Penn State's undergraduate degree program in Agroecology.