UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Visitors to Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 11-13, can see agricultural safety in action through live demonstrations and interactive educational programs at the Farm Safety Demonstration Area and the Rural Health and Safety Tent.
This year’s safety demonstrations, held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, will focus on the hazards associated with skid-steer operation. Compact and highly versatile, skid steers are commonly used on farms, landscaping sites and construction projects to move materials, clean livestock areas and complete a wide range of tasks. The team will introduce skid steer dangers, operational recommendations and practical safety solutions related to blind spots.
Four demonstrations — at 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesday and Thursday — will introduce common risks associated with skid-steer operation and demonstrate strategies to improve operator awareness and safety.
On Wednesday, Aug. 12, RescueTechs LLC and Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Co. will stage an agricultural rescue emergency to show how first responders manage a tractor rollover incident. This demonstration will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
New this year, the Farm Incident Preparedness Program will be offered at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Learning Center. The one-hour awareness course teaches participants how to respond safely when a farm incident occurs, including how to assist a victim and call for help without putting themselves in danger. Organizers noted that agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations, with farmers, farm workers and family members involved in serious incidents on farms every year.
At the Ag Safety and Health tent, experts from Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering will answer agricultural safety and health questions and offer free practical solutions to increase the visibility of farm equipment on roads and of children on the farm. Visitors can obtain “Slow Moving Vehicle” emblems for equipment, backup cameras, mirrors, hearing protection, and high-visibility shirts/vests for children, while supplies last.
The Penn State College of Medicine and Geisinger Health Trauma Services will offer “Stop the Bleed” training daily, with ongoing sessions. On Tuesday and Thursday, the morning sessions will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the afternoon sessions will begin at 12:30 p.m. On Wednesday, the morning sessions will start at 9:30 a.m. and the afternoon sessions at 12:30 p.m. The 20-minute sessions will cover what the first person on the scene can do for someone bleeding from a serious injury. After completing the training, families will receive a free “Stop the Bleed” kit, while supplies last.
The Penn State Pullers, a student engineering design team based in Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, will showcase the 1/4-scale tractor they built for an international agricultural engineering conference. This demonstration will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday and at noon Wednesday.
Visitors to the Rural Health and Safety Tent, at the end of West Sixth Street and adjacent to the Farm Safety Area, can access free health screenings, activities, health and wellness information, and resources for farmers with a disability or health condition from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Screenings will include blood glucose, blood pressure, lipid, carotid artery, cervical cancer (HPV self-sampling), skin checks, vision, thyroid, stroke, colorectal and hepatitis C.
Several organizations will offer interactive activities and wellness information:
— AgrAbility PA will share tools, tips and assistive technology to help farmers continue working despite a disability or health condition.
— The American Heart Association will bring hands-on tools and practical resources to help prepare farm families and agricultural workers for cardiac emergencies. Visitors can practice infant CPR on a manikin, learn to use an automated external defibrillator with a trainer device, and receive information on recognizing heart attack and stroke symptoms.
— North Central Sight Services will provide vision acuity and pressure screenings, along with hearing information, assistive technology examples, and vision and hearing assessments.
— Mount Nittany Health will provide information on stroke prevention, warning signs and trauma. Visitors can participate in handwashing and meat safety activities.
— The LION Mobile Clinic, a student-led initiative aimed at increasing access to health care, will offer information on radon detection and lung cancer, along with free radon test kits, while supplies last. Visitors also can receive free screenings for cervical cancer, blood glucose, hepatitis C, lipids and skin health.
— Penn State Health will provide blood pressure screenings, wellness record cards and physical therapy exercises to prevent injury.
— The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health will offer health information, oral hygiene tips and free toothbrushes for children and adults.
— Prevention health screenings will use ultrasound technology to screen the carotid arteries for blockages.
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. 11; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 12; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website. X users can find and share information about the event by using the hashtag #agprogressdays, and the event also can be found on Facebook (@AgProgressDays).