Penn State’s Ag Progress Days a Success
September 6, 2013 in Articles, Extension
Penn State administrators in Old Main and on Ag Hill were elated months ago that the state was proposing flat funding for the university’s agricultural research and extension line items.
They were hopeful for extra money, but in tough economic times, they weren’t going to count their chickens before they hatch.
As it turns out, a state budget passed that would give the College of Agricultural Sciences $1.5 million more than administrators originally anticipated for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
At the university’s and college’s annual Ag Progress Days, administrators gave public thank-yous to state officials and groups who support agriculture during the annual government and industry lunch. It’s an event that brought together nearly 700 attendees consisting of agri-businessmen and women and municipal, county and state officials.
“There is too little public recognition of how much we all depend upon farms as stewards of our soil, water and wildlife resources,” Penn State President Rodney Erickson told the crowd, quoting the late John F. Kennedy. “We’re working to change that. Special thanks go to our agricultural advocates, who have made it their mission to preserve and protect Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage and future.”
Ag Progress Days gives Penn State the chance to show off its contributions and achievements to agriculture.