What are your plans for the New Year?

Perhaps putting away the holiday decorations tops your list, or are you thinking about those New Year's resolutions? You know, the ones about losing weight and exercising more.

Why not add a trip to the Pennsylvania Farm Show to your list.

Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Pennsylvania, and with its theme of "Keeping Pennsylvania Growing," the farm show showcases the diversity of agriculture in our state and the way producers are adapting to meet the needs of consumers in an ever changing industry.

From Jan. 10 to 17, visitors to the farm show will have the opportunity to see farm animals, competitive exhibits and visit more than 270 commercial exhibits. Some of the more popular events include a celebrity milking contest, the PA Preferred Best Chef in Pennsylvania contest, the Sheep-to-Shawl competition, junior market animal competition and performances by the PA High School Rodeo Association.

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences participation in the Farm Show will feature an expanded exhibit area with educational stage presentations.

Topics to be featured throughout the week will include water resource issues for rural landowners, environmentally safe lawns and gardens, the environmental benefits of green roofs, coping with high energy prices and the 4-H seeing eye dog program.

A complete list of stage presentations can be found at http://cas.psu.edu/spotlight/farmshow.

In addition to educational presentations, faculty, staff, and students from the College of Agricultural Sciences will be available to share information about the college's programs in foods, agricultural sciences and natural resource sciences. The college offers 21 majors, providing diverse academic programs for prospective students.

Penn State also will take part in the renewable agricultural energy exhibit area in the new expo hall.

More than 40 exhibitors will share information on wind, solar, biogas, biodiesel and biomass technologies. Researchers from the College of Agricultural Sciences will focus on agricultural crops that can yield biofuels, such as canola, mustard, camelina and soybean.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in America with 24 acres under roof, spread throughout 11 buildings including three arenas. Farm Show officials anticipate more than 400,000 spectators will visit during the week.

The show is held at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, just off Exit 67 on Interstate 81. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 10 to 16 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 17. Admission is free; parking is $5.

For more information and a schedule of events, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.