Demonstrations, Machinery, Food Attract VERN ACHENBACH LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff ROCKSPRING (Centre Co.) More than 50,000 people visited Penn State’s Ag Progress Days this week. Those who were looking for new ideas in production agricul ture were not disappointed but the Shane Gray, 4, and his brother, 6, think they are lucky that they could take off from playschool and visit Ag Progress with Aunt Carol Baker of State College. The boys like to sit on tractors and make believe they are farmers. The equipment and demonstrations keep these three from Strasburg coming to Ag Progress every year. “You learn more here than at Farm Show,” said Leroy Weaver, right. Bob Weaver, left, said that he likes seeing new ideas such as the wrapping of bales this year. Henry Stoltzfus, center, said It’s really the Ice cream that draws him to the annual event. The dairy farm family of Neal (missing from photo) and Linda McCullough of Newvil le visit Ag Progress for the first time in recent years. While the parents enjoy seeing all the different ways agriculture Is changing, the children were Impressed with other activities. From left, Nate, 5, liked the six-wheelers; Katie, 8, and Betsy, 10, the food, and friend Christopher Kann, 7, the calf. annual event also expanded activi ties for children and homemakers. “It’s a family activity. Our whole family loves it,” said Linda McCullough of Newvillc. She, her husband Neal, who is a state DHIA director, enjoy learning about all the ways that agriculture is chang- ing. Their three children and a neighborhood friend were more impressed with Happy Valley Farm Petting Zoo, the machinery that they could climb over, and the food. During the three-day event, (Turn to Pag* A 36) ■* *■ Ikfc Mrs. John Sabol of Carlisle planned to enter her Grape nut Ice Cream in the contest, but was greatly disap pointed to find that she was missing a part to her Ice cream maker. After the con test, another contestant churned her mixture and the crowd was eager to taste it. Thousands To Ag Progress Tim, 2, and Andy, 4, find It’s easy riding while parents Paul and Debbie Taylor of Ringgold pull the wagon. The Ringgolds, who have a small vegetable farm said that this is the first time In six years they have attended Ag Progress. While the parents love everything in general about the event, the children were more impressed with climbing over the tractors. -•r. Jordon Nyman gets a Pennsylvania Department of Agri culture promotion sticker on his shirt from Lesa Tressler, with the PDA Bureau of Market Development. Albert Hack believes that Guernsey milk makes ice cream taste better. This was the first time this farmer from Berwick entered the contest. His Strawberry Ice Cream brought a third place win and $lOO.