Recently, there has been interest in establishing contract hog production operations in Western Pennsylvania. This is a new type of agricultural enterprise for the area and potential producers have raised a number of questions about the production practices and profitability expected from this type of operation.

To facilitate discussion and help to answer questions, a meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mercer County Extension Office located along Route 19 just north of Mercer.

Kenneth Kephart, Penn State University swine management specialist has had many years of experience working with contract hog operations in eastern Pennsylvania and will be on hand at the meeting to lead the discussion.

For additional information, contact Bill Chess, Extension Farm Management Educator at the Lawrence County Extension Office. Phone 724-654-8370.

College open house

High school students making the difficult choice of what college to attend will find friendly faces and useful advice at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences Open House from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 25 at the HUB Robeson Center, University Park.

Attendees can learn about careers in agricultural and related fields and the college's 19 undergraduate majors, including agricultural and extension education, animal sciences, food science, agribusiness management, landscape contracting, turf grass science, forest science, agricultural and biological engineering, toxicology and environmental resource management.

Visitors can get an informational overview of Penn State's admissions and financial aid process and the college's scholarship program beginning at 8:15 a.m. After a general welcome, information on student clubs, organizations and societies, internships, undergraduate research and study abroad opportunities will be presented at 10 a.m. with explanations of the many available majors offered at 11:15 a.m. Visitors can visit select college facilities and explore the campus through an afternoon of tours. A panel discussion on student services will be held at 2:15 p.m. in 101 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building.

After the open house, families can visit the University Creamery, the Penn State Bookstore, the Penn State University Libraries and the Palmer Museum of Art. Penn State Housing and Food Services will offer students and their families and opportunity to sample cafeteria-style brunch and dinner at campus dining halls. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Registration for the event is requested by March 20. For more information or to register, visit the Web at www.cas.psu.edu/docs/casuged/openhouse, contact the Office of Undergraduate Education at 814-865-7521 or send an e-mail to Marianne Fivek at mafivek@psu.edu.

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