Former President Jimmy Carter will take a short break from international politics when he visits State College on Feb. 22 as the featured speaker at the Pennsylvania Holstein Association's 77th annual convention.

Carter's speech at the opening banquet will kick off the three-day convention, to be held at the Days Inn Penn State, 240 S. Pugh St., said William Nichols, executive secretary for the organization.

Nichols said Carter has not yet informed the association what he plans to discuss.

"He's pretty much going to select his own topic. We didn't want to tell a former president what to talk about," Nichols said.

He added that University President Bryce Jordan also will speak at the banquet, which is expected to draw about 500 members.

Tickets, priced at $20 each, are available to the public through the association's office at 839 Benner Pike, said Ken Raney, the group's director of membership service.

Association member Wayne Harpster, a friend of the former president, arranged Carter's visit, Raney said. Raney noted that Carter has frequently visited the area to fish and hunt near Harpster's Pennsylvania Furnace home.

Carter will be flying to Nicaragua the day after his appearance here, Raney added.

"We're really pleased he's coming in," he said.

Other scheduled events for the convention include a sale of 70 top head of cattle Friday at the University's Agriculture Arena and several seminars and lectures, Nichols said.

The 55,000-member organization is a member service organization for Holstein breeders across the state, offering educational programs, sales and shows, Nichols said.

Of about 700,000 dairy cows in the state, 90 percent are Holstein, Nichols said.