HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County Ag Day is scheduled for Monday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Honesdale High School, 459 Terrace St. 

The 47th Wayne County Ag Day is an opportunity for the local agricultural communities of Wayne County and surrounding areas to come together and learn about new and innovative technologies, services, product lines, machinery and markets available from local area agribusinesses, associations and industry supporters. 

It is also an opportunity for agricultural enthusiasts and those wanting to get into agriculture to learn about their local ag industry and attend meetings presented by Penn State Extension Educators and other industry professionals from across the state. 

What’s happening for 2026

This year, we have two educational sessions and a demonstration planned. Our first presentation is titled “HPAI and Mortality Composting: Poultry, Dairy and What about me?” at 10 a.m. in the auditorium. Penn State Extension Dairy Educator Craig Williams will discuss Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, proper mortality composting procedures, and the effects this disease has had on the dairy and poultry industries—and anything that could affect local producers.  

Our second presentation is “Does Intensively-Managed Hay Pay?” Zackary Curtis, Penn State Extension agronomy educator, will lead the group in a discussion on the costs and returns in various hay production systems.  We will look at fertility, machinery, land and other input costs.  Back by popular demand, we will have a live home food preservation demonstration of water bath canning with MaryAnn Curtis, a volunteer master preserver from Penn State Extension, Wayne County. Participating exhibitors will set up educational booths in the gymnasium and select machinery displays outside the high school. 

During this year’s Ag Day, ag industry professionals—experts in their fields—will offer industry-relevant information to interested attendees throughout the day. Some of this year’s list of “Ask the Experts” include: 

• Follow the Green Brick Road—Wayne County 4-H, presented by Jessica Scull, Wayne County 4-H educator; Sara Neral, Wayne County 4-H program coordinator; and Wayne County 4-H Teen Council members 
• Honesdale FFA, presented by Kayla Pohle, Honesdale High School agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, with members of the Honesdale FFA Chapter 
• Agronomic Crop Talk, presented by Zachary Curtis, Penn State Extension agronomy educator 
• Livestock Production & Management, presented by Chelsea Hill, Penn State Extension livestock educator 
• Home Food Preservation and Safety, presented by MaryAnn Curtis, Penn State Extension volunteer master preserver
• Protect the Flock, presented by Dr. Kaitlyn Miller, domestic animal health inspector, PDA Bureau of Animal Health & Diagnostic Services, Region 3
• Dairy HPAI Biosecurity Details & Mortality Composting, presented by  Craig Williams, Penn State Extension dairy educator
• DIY Beekeeping, presented by the Wayne County Beekeepers Club. Will explain how to DIY an apiary.

Other features that will be offered during the 2026 Wayne County Ag Day include: 

• A local products bar, with samples of milk, cheese, ice cream and specialty meats, will be offered throughout the day to attendees to showcase the value-added products from local agribusinesses. Contributing businesses include Creamworks Creamery, Calkins Creamery, Hardler Farm, the Dairy Farmers of America, etc.  
• In addition, some health screenings for area farmers and family members will be provided by Wayne Memorial Hospital. Included are blood pressure screenings, nutritional counseling, information on suicide awareness, and dental care and Lyme disease information. 
• Meet and greet with elected officials. This is an opportunity for local elected officials to mingle and speak with the attendees of Ag Day. The meet-and-greet will be held during lunch in the cafeteria.
• Door prizes have been donated by exhibitors and supporters.  

It wouldn’t happen without supporters

A hearty “thank you!” goes out to the 2025 Wayne County Ag Day supporters who made our event so successful last year. 

Our Gold Sponsors include Dirlam Brothers Lumber Co. Inc, Ellday Farm and the Dix family, George W. Kinsman Inc., Don Olsommer Jr. of Olsommer Clark Insurance, the Dime Bank, Town & Country Energy, Town & Country Veterinary Services, Ultimate Heery Plant Health (UHPH), Wallenpaupack Veterinary Clinic and Wayne County Grown. 

Silver sponsors are Diehl Trucking Inc. and Edward Fritsch-Milk Equipment Repair.  

Lunch too

• Lunch will be prepared by the Red Schoolhouse and sponsored by Ag Day exhibitors. There is no charge for attendees. Walk-ins are accepted on the day of the event; however registration is appreciated to make sure there is enough food for lunch. To register, call toll free 877/345-0691 or visit extension.psu.edu/wayne-county-ag-day.

For questions, contact Chelsea Hill at cbh5097@psu.edu or call 570/616-0876.

Penn State Extension Pocono District in Wayne County is located at 648 Park St., Suite E in Honesdale. To learn more, call 570/616-0880 or email WayneExt@psu.edu. The office is online at www.extension.psu.edu/Wayne.  

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and other protected groups. Nondiscrimination: www.guru.psu.edu/policies/AD85.html.