UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Press and the Pasto Agricultural Museum have teamed up to present “Ag Lit Day,” a special event featuring authors and books published by the Press on Thursday, Aug. 15, during Ag Progress Days.

The event, which is free to the public and will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will include signings and talks by authors of books on Pennsylvania history, Penn State, and the natural world. Penn State University Press will have a table with the authors’ books and many more on sale.

Participating authors are, in alphabetical order:

• Thomas Baldino, coauthor of "Pennsylvania Government and Politics: Understanding Public Policy in the Keystone State"
• Sarah Chamberlain, author of "The Field Guide to Wild Grasses of the Mid-Atlantic"
• William Donner, author of "Serious Nonsense: Groundhog Lodges, Versammlinge, and Pennsylvania German Heritage"
• Jackie Esposito, author of "The Nittany Lion: An Illustrated Tale"
• Mark Kelley, author of "An Uncommon Woman: The Life of Lydia Hamilton Smith"
• Tim Kelly, coauthor of "Hope in Hard Times: Norvelt and the Struggle for Community During the Great Depression"
• Paul A. Raber, editor of "The Susquehannocks: New Perspectives on Settlement and Cultural Identity"
• Bill Russell, author of "The Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms and Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic"

The public is invited to meet the authors at the Pasto Agricultural Museum from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., where they will be on-hand to sign books. A program of brief author talks will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by light refreshments.

The Press has sold books on Pennsylvania culture, nature and history inside the Pasto Ag Museum during Ag Progress Days for several years, said Cate Fricke, associate marketing director at PSU Press.

“It’s one of our favorite events of the year,” Fricke said. “We love sharing our books about Pennsylvania with local readers, and are very excited this year to bring along not only our books but such an exciting group of authors as well. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community of writers and readers in Central Pennsylvania to come together.”

The Press will sell books throughout Ag Progress Days, which will be held Aug. 13–15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Founded in 1956, Penn State University Press publishes high-quality books, journals, and graphic novels of interest to scholars and general readers, with a focus on the humanities and social sciences. To learn more, visit psupress.org.

About the Pasto Agricultural Museum

The Pasto Agricultural Museum at Penn State is a great place to explore the intersection of science and history. Collections and exhibits focus tools and technology related to agricultural and rural life. Programs connect our agricultural past to the present day, often featuring the researchers who are addressing pressing issues for our food system and the environment.

The museum is located at Gate K of the Russell E Larson Agricultural Research Center, at the “top of Main Street” of the Ag Progress Days event site. Visit the museum's website for more information.

For more information about Ag Progress Days, include show hours and events schedule, visit the Ag Progress Days website.