By: Cate Fricke

Penn State University Press will showcase an exciting array of books that highlight Pennsylvania’s history and natural environment at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13–15 in Pennsylvania Furnace. Books for sale will include new titles such as “Twilight of the Hemlocks and Beeches” by award-winning nature photographer Tim Palmer and “Reading Shaver’s Creek: Ecological Reflections from an Appalachian Forest,” as well as perennial favorites such as Bill Russell’s “Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic” (now in a revised and expanded edition) and “Common Nymphs of Eastern North America: A Primer for Flyfishers and Flytiers” by Caleb J. Tzilkowski and Jay R. Stauffer Jr. The sale will take place inside the Pasto Agricultural Museum during all three days of the expo.

“We’re excited to attend Ag Progress Days for the fourth year in a row,” says PSU Press acquisitions editor Kathryn Yahner. “It’s a great opportunity to share our regional books with
members of our local community. Being there it’s easy to see that our community is one that loves Pennsylvania just as much as we do.” Yahner is the editor of the Press’s Keystone Books
series; the books in this series are “accessible, well-researched explorations into the history, culture, society, and environment of the Keystone State.”

Bill Russell

Julia Spicher Kasdorf and Steven Rubin

On Wednesday, August 14, the Press will host two author signings. At 11:30 a.m., “Mushroom Man” Bill Russell will sign copies of “Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic.” At 1:30 p.m. will be a signing for “Shale Play: Poems and Photographs from the Fracking Fields” by Julia Spicher Kasdorf (poet) and Steven Rubin (photographer), whose book examines the impact of fracking on Pennsylvania communities by using the words of citizens, workers and activists in those towns. Visitors to the expo are invited to stop by the PSU Press booth inside the Pasto Agricultural Museum to purchase signed copies of the books and to chat with the authors about their work.

The Pasto Agricultural Museum connects the history and science of agriculture for almost 10,000 visitors annually. Exhibits and programs interpret historic artifacts and explore present day research related to food, feed, fuel, and fiber production. For programs and directions, visit agsci.psu.edu/pasto.