Wayne County Ag Day returns to Honesdale High School Feb. 19; public welcome

The 45th Annual Wayne County Ag Day, focusing on all things agricultural, returns to Honesdale High School Monday, Feb. 19.

For the past two years the popular event was held at the fairgrounds in the spring. Ag Day is hosted by Penn State Extension, Wayne County.

Chelsea Hill with Penn State Extension told the county commissioners on Feb. 8, "It is open to the general public, but Ag Day is specifically for the agricultural community. So, ag businesses, those that are producers... and those that are ag enthusiasts so maybe they are interested in learning how to be part of the (agricultural) community."

General admission is free. Honesdale High School is at 459 Terrace St. Classes are not in session Feb. 19 due to Presidents Day.

Over 30 exhibitors will be set up in the gymnasium and two educational sessions, on soil testing and building a greenhouse, are featured in the auditorium.

Reservations are requested for lunch, which is catered by The Red Schoolhouse. Exhibitor fees pay for the lunch. Exhibitors, ag-related organizations, and supporters go to lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Outside the gymnasium, milk, cheese, ice cream and specialty meats, showcasing Wayne County agricultural products, will be available, donated by Calkins Creamery, Dairy Farmers of America, Creamworks Creamery and Hardler Farm.

The first educational session at 10 a.m. features Zachary Curtis, Penn State Extension/Wayne County Agronomy educator. He will cover multiple aspects of soil management, whether for a backyard garden or farmers working hundreds of acres.

At 1 p.m., Krystal Snyder, Penn State Extension educator, will teach about building a greenhouse. Learn how to lay it out, construct it and work in the greenhouse, whether for a small private greenhouse or commercial production.

There will be about 10 tables set up in the gymnasium where Penn State Extension educators and others will be available to answer questions on diverse topics related to agriculture. These include the 4-H youth program; Honesdale FFA, highlighting the agriculture program reinstituted at Honesdale High School in 2017; agronomic crops; natural resource production in the local watershed; residential and commercial solar energy opportunities; livestock and dairy production; and farm food safety.

The 2023-2024 Wayne County dairy princess and her court will be participating, to support the dairy industry.

Health screening is offered for farmers and their families and provided by Wayne Memorial Hospital.

Lunch reservations are asked for by Feb. 12 so that they can plan how many meals are needed. Hill said that walk-ins are welcome, although it is not guaranteed they can be accommodated. To make a reservation call 1-877-345-0691 or go online at extension.psu.edu/wayne-county-ag-day.

Originally known as Wayne County Dairy Day, Penn State Extension revived the annual event on March 13, 1979, at the National Guard Armory. Newspaper archives show there was a prior Wayne County Dairy Day hosted by the Extension office in the 1950s at the courthouse, and later at Seelyville Fire Hall in the '60s, and at City Hall in Honesdale in 1974. It does not appear that the events before 1979 were held every year.

It was held at the armory on Tryon Street until the mid-'90s when it was moved to the high school.

In the mid-2000s Wayne County Dairy Day became known as Wayne County Dairy/Ag Day" and then shortened to "Wayne County Ag Day" in 2018.

More information on the 2024 Wayne County Ag Day is available at the Extension website or by calling 570-253-5970 extension 4110.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wayne County Ag Day comes to Honesdale High School Feb. 19