Pennsylvania
has 86,000 miles of rivers and streams, which flow through farms and backyards,
cities and towns, forests and fields. This means that no matter where
Pennsylvanians live, virtually all citizens have a role to play in protecting
the state's critical water resources.
Visitors to
the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building and Theater at Penn
State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 15-17, can learn how they can contribute to
keeping water clean, safe and abundant. Through educational displays and
presentations, Penn State Extension educators and faculty specialists will
cover a variety of water-related topics of interest to a broad spectrum of
audiences.
Water
quality is a prominent issue in Pennsylvania, especially for agriculture,
according to Matt Royer, director of Penn State's Agriculture and Environment
Center. "Farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have done much to improve
water quality by implementing conservation practices on their farms, much of it
with their own dollars," he said. "But more needs to be done. Penn
State is helping to lead a coalition of agriculture and environmental leaders
to advance innovative, farmer-led solutions to our water quality
challenges."
But it's not
just farmers who have a role, Royer noted. "Everyone, whether they farm
200 acres or have a small backyard lot, can take management steps to protect
our water quality," he said. "We'll be highlighting those steps in
the College Exhibits Building during Ag Progress Days, with experts on hand to
talk about what farmers, homeowners, forest landowners, private well owners and
city dwellers can do to ensure clean water in Pennsylvania."
The building
will feature a flowing stream landscape, with "tributaries" to four
program displays aimed at helping visitors identify specific things they can do
to help protect Pennsylvania's water resources. Exhibits will cover the
following topics:
-- Drinking
Water Protection: If you're one of the 3 million Pennsylvanians who gets
your water from a private well, what should you do, and not do, around your
well head to help ensure that your drinking water stays safe for your family?
Well owners can learn about Penn State's Ag Analytical Lab and how to test and
treat private wells that provide water for households, livestock and other
uses.
-- Stormwater and Green Infrastructure:
How can you better manage stormwater at your home to reduce flooding, erosion
and other water-quality problems on your property and downstream? Learn about
the "Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater" and online mapping tools you
can use to make a plan for your home. This exhibit also will feature Penn
State's Master Watershed Stewards program, which enlists volunteers to help
educate communities across Pennsylvania.
-- Agricultural Water: What are the best
practices for farmers to protect local water while raising livestock and field
crops? This display will spotlight streambank fencing, proper manure management
and other conservation practices. Also, visitors can explore the results of a
recent Penn State survey on best practices that Pennsylvania farmers already
are implementing to protect local water resources.
-- Forest Buffers: Why are streamside
forests so important, and what resources are available to help get them
planted? Whether you have a stream running through your farm or your suburban
backyard, streamside buffers — also known as riparian buffers — are one of the
most important practices to protect Pennsylvania's water. Visitors can learn
about the many programs available to help with installing a forest buffer on
their property.
Also,
organizers encourage youth and families to visit the College Exhibits Building
at 1 p.m. each day, when 4-H State Council members will lead kids in the new,
award-winning "Rain to Drain — Slow the Flow" 4-H activity. Young
people will get hands-on experience learning how water moves on Earth and how
we can reduce flooding, maintain groundwater supplies and prevent water
pollution.
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. on Aug. 15;
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 16; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 17. Admission and
parking are free.
For more
information, visit the Ag Progress Days website.
By Chuck
Gill
7-28-17
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