Crops, Soils and Conservation Area at Ag Progress Days offers a wealth of wisdom – Penn State University

 

Report on Sustainable Development Initiatives at Ag Progress Days

This report outlines the exhibits, demonstrations, and activities scheduled for Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, with a specific focus on their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event serves as a platform for showcasing innovations and best practices in sustainable agriculture, energy, and environmental management.

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (SDG 2 & SDG 12)

Crop and Forage Management for Zero Hunger (SDG 2)

To support the goal of ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture, specialists will be available to provide guidance on critical farming practices. Key areas of focus include:

• Expert consultation on crop and variety selection to maximize yield and resilience.
• Guidance on efficient manure and fertilizer application to enhance soil fertility and crop production.
• Plant and weed identification services to assist with integrated pest management strategies.
• Daily demonstrations by the Cover Crop Extension Team at 11:45 a.m. at the Harrington Lane plots.
• Advice from the Penn State Extension Horticulture Team on sustainable horticultural practices.

Promoting Production Excellence and Quality (SDG 2)

Exhibits will showcase high-quality agricultural products, encouraging excellence in production which is fundamental to food security.

1. The Hay Show: A display of premium hay samples, highlighting best practices in forage production essential for healthy and productive livestock.
2. Wheat Grain Quality Contest: An exhibit of award-winning wheat grain samples from across Pennsylvania, demonstrating the benchmarks for high-quality grain production.

Fostering Clean Energy and Climate Action (SDG 7 & SDG 13)

Agricultural Energy Solutions (SDG 7)

The Ag Energy display will feature interactive exhibits focused on affordable and clean energy, contributing to climate action and sustainable farm operations.

• A virtual reality experience demonstrating the application of solar energy on farms.
• Educational activities on biogas production.
• Discussions and new handbooks covering topics such as anaerobic digestion, energy credit markets, and energy forecasts.

Protecting Water and Land Ecosystems (SDG 6, SDG 12 & SDG 15)

Nutrient and Water Resource Management (SDG 6 & SDG 12)

A significant portion of the event is dedicated to responsible management of nutrients and water, directly supporting the goal of clean water and sanitation.

• Information on nutrient management regulations and best practices from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center.
• Training on PAOneStop online mapping and planning tools on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Continuing education credits for the Pennsylvania Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Program, available across all three days.
• Daily “Rain Barrel Talks” at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. outside the Pasto Museum to promote water conservation.
• Daily rural and farm pond tours departing at 9 a.m. from the corn crib.
• Daily Water Wellhead Safety walking tours departing at 1 p.m. from the Pasto Museum.

Soil Conservation and Health (SDG 15)

Demonstrations will highlight practices that protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and halt land degradation.

• The Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance will conduct rainfall simulator demonstrations daily at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to show the benefits of healthy soil structure on water infiltration.
• The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service will feature a walk-through soil tunnel to demonstrate how soil health benefits farm operations.
• Displays of no-till machinery and cover crop demonstration plots will showcase technologies that reduce soil erosion and improve soil health.

Sustainable Forest Management (SDG 15)

Activities will promote the sustainable management of forests and the protection of biodiversity.

• Consultations with representatives from the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, and Consulting Foresters Association.
• A daily Forest Management Tour titled “Slash Wall As an Alternative to Deer Fencing,” demonstrating a cost-effective method using logging debris (slash) to protect young trees and promote forest regeneration. This practice aligns with responsible consumption (SDG 12) by repurposing waste materials.

Community Engagement and Education (SDG 4 & SDG 11)

Educational and Recreational Activities

The event provides educational opportunities for all ages, fostering awareness of sustainable practices within the community.

• The A-Maze-N-Corn: A popular and accessible corn maze that combines recreation with education through agricultural quiz questions, engaging families and children in learning about farming.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on Penn State’s Ag Progress Days highlights issues and solutions that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. The event serves as a platform for education, demonstration, and discussion on sustainable practices in agriculture, energy, and natural resource management. The following SDGs are addressed:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Focuses on sustainable agriculture, improving crop production, and ensuring food security.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The event itself is an educational initiative, providing knowledge and training on sustainable development.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Addresses the management of water resources, water quality, and safe drinking water.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Highlights renewable energy sources for agricultural use.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Emphasizes the efficient use of natural resources and waste reduction.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Covers topics related to soil conservation, sustainable forest management, and protecting terrestrial ecosystems.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the activities and exhibits described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
     
     Explanation: The article details numerous activities aimed at this target, including demonstrations on cover crops, no-till machinery, corn chopping, and soybean plots. Experts provide advice on crop management, variety selection, and nutrient application to improve productivity while maintaining soil health. The Hay Show and Wheat Grain Contest also promote high-quality agricultural production.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
     
     Explanation: The entire Ag Progress Days event is a form of education for sustainable development. It offers training sessions (PAOneStop, Manure Hauler Certification), expert consultations (crop production, weed identification), guided tours (pond tours, forest management tours), and demonstrations (rainfall simulator, solar energy VR) to disseminate knowledge on sustainable practices to farmers and the public.

3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
     
     Explanation: The “Environment and Water Resource Management” section describes efforts to educate visitors on safe drinking water, water wellhead best practices, pond management, and the Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. This integrated approach involves collaboration between Penn State Extension, the Department of Environmental Protection, and farmers.

4. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2020, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
     
     Explanation: The “Ag Energy” display directly addresses this by featuring interactive activities on solar energy and biogas. It aims to educate farmers and visitors on alternative energy sources, supported by the distribution of handbooks on farm energy topics.

5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
     
     Explanation: The event promotes efficient resource use through exhibits on nutrient management, manure management best practices, and the use of solar-powered pumps for livestock watering systems. The “slash wall” concept, which uses logging debris to protect young trees, is a prime example of reusing resources that would otherwise be waste.

6. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights several practices aimed at improving soil health and preventing degradation. The Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance’s rainfall simulator demonstrates how no-till farming improves water infiltration and reduces erosion. The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s walk-through soil tunnel and cover crop demonstrations further educate on maintaining and restoring soil health.
   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
     
     Explanation: The Forest Management Tour featuring a “slash wall” made from logging debris is a direct method to promote forest regeneration by protecting young trees from deer, thus contributing to sustainable forest management and restoration.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets, primarily through tracking participation and engagement in the educational activities offered.

1. Indicators for Education and Knowledge Dissemination (related to SDG 4, but applicable to all)

   • Number of attendees at training sessions for PAOneStop and the Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Program.
   • Number of visitors participating in guided tours (e.g., Water Wellhead Safety, Forest Management, farm pond tours).
   • Number of attendees at daily talks and demonstrations (e.g., Rain Barrel Talks, Cover Crop talks, rainfall simulator demonstrations).
   • Number of handbooks on farm energy topics distributed.

2. Indicators for Sustainable Practices Adoption (related to SDG 2, 6, 7, 12, 15)

   • Number of farmers and producers seeking advice from experts on crop management, nutrient management, and weed identification.
   • Engagement with renewable energy exhibits, such as the number of users of the solar energy virtual reality experience.
   • Number of entries in the Hay Show and Wheat Grain Quality Contest, which can serve as a proxy for the adoption of quality-focused agricultural practices.
   • Exhibition of new technologies and methods, such as new cover crop mixtures and no-till machinery, indicates innovation and promotion of sustainable options.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.	Exhibition of cover crop mixtures and no-till machinery. Number of expert consultations on crop and nutrient management. Number of entries in the Hay Show and Wheat Grain Contest.
SDG 4: Quality Education	4.7: Ensure all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.	Number of attendees at training sessions (PAOneStop, Manure Hauler Certification). Number of participants in educational tours and demonstrations.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	6.5: Implement integrated water resources management.	Number of attendees at Rain Barrel Talks and Water Wellhead Safety tours. Provision of information on Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control Plans.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy.	Number of visitors engaging with solar energy and biogas displays. Number of farm energy handbooks distributed.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.	Demonstration of “slash walls” to reuse logging debris. Provision of information on nutrient and manure management best practices.
SDG 15: Life on Land	15.2: Promote sustainable management of all types of forests. 15.3: Combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil.	Number of participants in the Forest Management Tour (“slash wall”). Number of attendees at rainfall simulator and soil tunnel demonstrations.

Source: psu.edu