Activities

Dean's Farewell Dinner

More than 300 guests attended a farewell dinner on April 7, 2009, hosted by the Penn State Ag Council in honor of Dean Robert Steele. Dean Steele is stepping down as Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences on June 30 after 12 years in the position and will join the college's faculty as a tenured professor in the Department of Food Science.

Dean's Industry Tours And Legislative Research Tours Pictures

In an effort to stay connected with the College's industry clientele and alumni, the Dean of the College makes a series of trips around the state visiting industry sites every year. The Council assists in hosting these tours. As part of the tours, the Dean holds an evening reception in each Extension region where local alumni, ag industry, and government representatives are invited. These receptions are co-hosted by the College's Alumni Office and the Penn State Ag Council and allow time for people to informally meet the Dean, as well as time for open forums in which the Dean will make preliminary comments.

Fall 2009 Penn State Ag Council Delegate meeting

The fall delegate meeting was held on October 12, at Celebration Hall in State College. The topic was "Marcellus Shale". Tim Kelsey, State Program Leader, Economic & Community Development; Tom Murphy, Associate Extension Educator; Bryan Swistock, Water Resources Extension Associate; and Ross Pifer, Director, the Agricultural Law Resource & Reference Center, presented on this timely subject matter.

College Research Tour

The College of Agricultural Sciences supports over 260 active research projects that address Pennsylvania priorities such as bioenergy and bioproduct research; environmental sustainability; economic sustainability; animal, plant and human health; food quality and safety; and family and youth development.

Advocacy

The Penn State Ag Council created The Ag Action Network to establish and maintain a proactive and well-informed group of College advocates to communicate support for the College’s mission to Pennsylvania leaders and to educate them on agricultural issues.

Capitol Day

College Capitol Day is sponsored by the Penn State Ag Council and the Pa Council of Cooperative Extension Associations as a forum for agribusiness and other friends of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences to advocate for the college's agricultural research and extension programs in Harrisburg. It provides agriculture advocates an opportunity to collectively communicate to legislators the importance of agriculture to the state and the need for continued investment in its future.