Growing people and forests: The power of undergraduate research

February 14, 2025

Penn State faculty members Laura Leites and Alex Storm are working to create valuable undergraduate research opportunities that enhance knowledge, facilitate students’ transition between campuses, and strengthen connections with state and federal agencies — all while advancing the study of climate adaptation in forest tree species.

Webinar teaches strategies for keeping your brain and body healthy

February 14, 2025

To help people age as well as possible, Penn State Extension has joined forces with the Alzheimer’s Association to offer the “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body” webinar, using scientific knowledge to explore how lifestyle choices can affect brain and body health during aging.

Webinar series to focus on parenting from pregnancy to age three

February 14, 2025

The first three years of a child’s life bring both joy and stress. To help parents and caregivers meet challenges and give the baby a great start, Penn State Extension’s food, families and communities unit partnered with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State to offer the “Thrive Initiative: Take Root” webinar series.

Learn to spot 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

February 14, 2025

Penn State Extension has teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Association to hold the “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” webinar. Instructors will describe what’s typical with aging and what could be a red flag for Alzheimer’s. The upcoming webinar will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on March 20.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

February 11, 2025

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 18 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

'Branching Out: The Power of Trees, Forest Ecology and Community Health' March 8

February 10, 2025

At this community event, attendees and panelists will discuss the power of trees to save lives and provide for the future. The panel, featuring two arboretum directors and renowned ecologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large Nalini Nadkarni, will lead guests in envisioning the expansion of tree canopies for resilience in Penn's Woods. 

Sustainable Labs Program increases participant engagement, welcomes new labs

February 10, 2025

Penn State’s Sustainable Labs Program will host two virtual information sessions on Feb. 18 and 21 to provide an overview of the initiative, answer questions and guide prospective participants through the application process.

Degrees in turfgrass tee off second career for Penn State World Campus graduate

February 7, 2025

A need for industry knowledge led Jeffrey Dorn to enroll in the Penn State Turfgrass Science program, offered online through Penn State World Campus, which fit into his new career and family life.

Native bee populations can bounce back after honey bees move out

February 6, 2025

Managed honey bees have the potential to affect native bee populations when they are introduced to a new area, but a study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that, under certain conditions, the native bees can bounce back if the apiaries are moved away.

Washington state joins Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness initiative

February 6, 2025

Washington state has joined a growing list of states that provide resources from the "School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students" initiative — part of the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State — to schools in their state that intend to achieve the prestigious "Purple Star" designation.

Penn State Ag Sciences professor conducts virtual exchange with Latvian University

February 5, 2025

Noel Habashy, assistant teaching professor of international agriculture and development at Penn State, recently completed an Experiential Digital Global Engagement project with students from his course “INTAG 100N: Everyone Eats: Hunger, Food Security and Global Agriculture” and partners from Riga Stradiņš University, Latvia.

Gov. Shapiro proposes $60M in new funding for state-related universities

February 4, 2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed $60 million in new funding for Penn State and its fellow state-related universities — to be distributed through a soon-to-be-developed performance-based funding model — during his 2025-26 budget address, delivered Feb. 4 in the Pennsylvania House Chamber.

College of Agricultural Sciences student selected as Farm Foundation Cultivator

February 4, 2025

Raymond Yan, a fourth-year agricultural and biorenewable systems management student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, represented the University at the January 2025 Farm Foundation Round Table in North Carolina. Yan, one of six students from across the country selected as a "cultivator" by the nonprofit organization Farm Foundation, presented research covering various multidisciplinary projects focusing on food system innovation.

Most cross-bred beef-dairy calves display heartier constitutions than purebreds

January 31, 2025

Many modern dairy farm operations have developed an additional revenue stream by breeding dairy cows with Black Angus beef bulls using artificial insemination to produce crossbred calves, which typically have improved meat quality and higher market value compared to purebred dairy calves. But these valuable hybrid calves often are beset with pneumonia, which was thought to limit their growth performance after they recover.

Penn State Extension to offer free virtual walking program

January 30, 2025

Anyone interested in developing healthy habits and increasing stamina can benefit from a free Penn State Extension virtual walking program called “Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania.” The statewide program will take place from April 7 through June 2.

After impactful career, Harper retires from Fruit Research and Extension Center

January 30, 2025

Jayson Harper, director of the Fruit Research and Extension Center in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences since March 2019, retired from Penn State effective Jan. 17. Grzegorz Krawczyk, Penn State Extension tree-fruit entomologist and research professor in the Department of Entomology, has been appointed as the new director.

Annual Global Gallery symposium puts spotlight on global food systems, Feb. 14

January 30, 2025

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and its international agriculture and development dual-title graduate program (INTAD) is inviting members of the Penn State community to explore their “ag love language” at this year’s Global Gallery symposium. The event will occur from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, in 223 HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus.

Rom honored with College of Ag Sciences’ Community of Advising Excellence Award

January 29, 2025

Ellen Rom, coordinator for undergraduate programs in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Penn State, has been recognized with the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Community of Advising Excellence Award.

Chris Houser named Penn State Extension associate director for programs

January 28, 2025

Chris Houser, Penn State Extension assistant director for agronomy and natural resources programs, has been named the organization’s associate director for programs, effective Feb. 1. He has been serving in the associate director role on an interim basis since June 2024.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Jan. 28

January 28, 2025

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 16 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Penn State experts to speak at Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention

January 27, 2025

Fruit and vegetable growers can delve into industry topics at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, set for Jan. 28-30 in Hershey, where many Penn State experts will present.

Researchers recognized for excellence by Institute of Energy and the Environment

January 27, 2025

The Institute of Energy and the Environment presented awards to six Penn State faculty members for their collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts and mentorship.

Penn State alumnus Nedoroscik and DWTS cast swing by Penn State Berkey Creamery

January 24, 2025

Penn State’s own Stephen Nedoroscik, gymnast, Olympic medalist and standout on the last season of “Dancing With the Stars,” accompanied by several of his castmates, made a sweet return to campus Thursday with a visit to what he said is one of his favorites — the Berkey Creamery.

Three faculty receive Presidential Early Career Award for scientists, engineers

January 24, 2025

Three Penn State researchers have been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the White House announced on Jan. 14. The award is the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on early-career scientists and engineers. The awards are conferred annually following recommendations from federal funding agencies.

Researchers explore strategies to aid smallholder fish farmers in Zambia

January 24, 2025

Although aquaculture, fish farming, is believed to have been practiced for thousands of years in Asia, the approach is relatively new in Africa, which is facing a “fish deficit” that contributes to a lack of protein in the diets of the populace, according to the international nonprofit WorldFish. To help accelerate fish farming in northern Zambia, a team led by researchers at Penn State investigated local integrated agriculture-aquaculture practices — meaning their management of agricultural resources to supply essential inputs for feeding fish — adopted by farmers.

López-Uribe awarded presidential honor for early career scientists

January 24, 2025

Margarita López-Uribe, the Lorenzo L. Langstroth Early Career Professor of Entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Harnessing mushroom microbiomes for better crop development

January 24, 2025

Microorganisms collected from the material in which button mushrooms are grown may benefit the development of future fungi crops, according to a study led by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Master Watershed Steward Bethany Canner leads community events in Lebanon County

January 23, 2025

In 2020, Bethany Canner became an inaugural member of the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer program in the Lower Susquehanna region. However, her curiosity and interest in watershed management date back to her childhood.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Jan. 22

January 22, 2025

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 19 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Jimenez-Gasco leads Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology

January 22, 2025

The College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State has appointed Maria del Mar Jimenez-Gasco, professor of plant pathology, as head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, effective Jan. 1.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
  • Associate Director of Communications
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
  • Associate Director of Communications
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)