New tuberculosis tests pave way for cow vaccination programs

July 17, 2019

Skin tests that can distinguish between cattle that are infected with tuberculosis (TB) and those that have been vaccinated against the disease have been created by an international team of scientists.

Storer named Distinguished Alumnus for outstanding career, support of students

July 16, 2019

John “Jack” Storer, a 1950 Penn State alumnus, who holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry, has received Penn State’s Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the highest honor presented by the University to alumni.

Penn State Berkey Creamery hosts annual creamery managers conference

July 16, 2019

The Penn State Berkey Creamery served up valuable information and a bit of fun — ice cream included, of course — to colleagues when it recently hosted the annual University Creamery Managers Conference.

College of Ag Sciences college relations director lauded by peers

July 15, 2019

Mary Wirth, director of college relations and communications in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, received the 2019 Professional Award from the Association for Communication Excellence during the organization’s annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, June 22-27.

Penn State professor part of team receiving United Nations Public Service Award

July 10, 2019

Ted Alter, professor of agricultural, environmental and regional economics in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is among an international group of community, industry, government and academic leaders who are being lauded for their work to help manage an invasive and destructive species in Australia.

Toxicology student creates success through Millennium Scholars Program

July 9, 2019

Talia Seymore, a rising senior majoring in toxicology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has discovered her passion for research through the Penn State Millennium Scholars Program.

PlantVillage gives undergraduate a chance to help feed the world via technology

July 9, 2019

Coming from the small town of Limeport, near Allentown, a young Annalyse Kehs may not have thought much about international agriculture or feeding the world. But thanks to a project called PlantVillage, the Penn State rising senior not only is helping to address world hunger but is relishing the opportunity to travel to destinations such as Kenya and Rome to interact with farmers, researchers and policymakers.

Penn State students learn about international agriculture during trip to DC

July 3, 2019

More than a dozen Penn State students had a unique opportunity during a visit to Washington, D.C., this past spring to learn about current issues in international agriculture from those working in the sector.

Some green ash trees show some resistance to emerald ash borers

July 3, 2019

Genes in green ash trees that may confer some resistance to attacks by the emerald ash borer express themselves only once the tree detects the invasive beetle's feeding, according to Penn State researchers.

College of Agricultural Sciences junior named Hollings Undergraduate Scholar

July 3, 2019

Jessica Briggs, a junior in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, received the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship this spring.

Land-use webinar to focus on complete streets in communities

July 1, 2019

Complete streets that work for everyone who uses them will be the subject of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension at noon July 17.

Penn State Beaver biology professor studying wild ramps in Pennsylvania

July 1, 2019

Penn State Beaver Professor of Biology Sarah Nilson and a team of researchers are working to determine if wild ramps that grow in Pennsylvania should be considered a vulnerable species.

'Planting green' cover-crop strategy may help farmers deal with wet springs

July 1, 2019

Allowing cover crops to grow two weeks longer in the spring and planting corn and soybean crops into them before termination is a strategy that may help no-till farmers deal with wet springs, according to Penn State researchers.

Unconventional oil, gas wastewater management the focus of shale gas webinar

July 1, 2019

Treatment of wastewater from unconventional gas and oil development using technologies such as wastewater pretreatment, distillation, crystallization and de-wasting will be the subject of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 18.

Penn State's appropriation increases as General Assembly adopts 2019-20 budget

June 27, 2019

Penn State’s 2019-20 general support appropriation from the Commonwealth increased by 2%, or approximately $4.75 million, as the University’s non-preferred appropriations bill passed the General Assembly today (June 27) as part of Pennsylvania’s $34 billion budget package, which is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Penn State scientists expanding work to help farmers learn about industrial hemp

June 27, 2019

With the passage of the 2018 farm bill and new regulations that allow the crop to be grown for sale for a range of uses, hemp production in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania has taken off, with more than 300 permits approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture this year. Even before hemp was green-lighted by the federal government, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences was at the forefront of industrial hemp research in Pennsylvania.

College of Agricultural Sciences trains Ethiopians to detect dairy pathogens

June 26, 2019

A two-week training on foodborne pathogen detection methods, focused on dairy, will help educators and government agencies in Ethiopia ensure the safety of dairy products in that country.

Climate warming could increase malaria risk in cooler regions

June 26, 2019

Malaria parasites develop faster in mosquitoes at lower temperatures than previously thought, according to researchers at Penn State and the University of Exeter. The findings suggest that even slight climate warming could increase malaria risk to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people — including travelers — in areas that are currently too cold for malaria parasites to complete their development.

Ecosystem science head retires after 30-plus years with land-grant universities

June 26, 2019

If Mike Messina has learned one thing from working for land-grant universities in three states for more than three decades, it's something he heard often during his stint with Texas A&M University: "Remember who you came to the dance with."

Penn State professor named Poultry Science Association Fellow

June 26, 2019

Robert Elkin, professor of avian nutritional biochemistry in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been selected as a Poultry Science Association Fellow, the highest recognition the association bestows upon a member.

Mary Kennett, director of Animal Resource Program, announces retirement

June 26, 2019

Mary J. Kennett, director of the Animal Resource Program at Penn State, has announced that she will retire from the University on Sept. 30. Kennett, who joined Penn State in 2001, also is a professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Milk: Best drink to reduce burn from chili peppers

June 25, 2019

People who order their Buffalo wings especially spicy and sometimes find them to be too "hot," should choose milk to reduce the burn, according to Penn State researchers, who also suggest it does not matter if it is whole or skim.

Designing sustainable homes on Mars and Earth

June 25, 2019

A team of Penn State researchers has accepted NASA’s challenge of designing an autonomous system capable of creating a human shelter on Mars using 3D-printing technology. With the focus of the project on Mars, and research with a science-fiction-edge spurring the imagination to expand, perhaps the most profound application of their work is on Earth.

Strategic plan seed grant supports green stormwater infrastructure research

June 24, 2019

A proposal that will support the development of a living laboratory for green stormwater infrastructure research, education and innovation at Penn State is among the latest initiatives to receive funding through the University’s Strategic Plan Seed Grant program.

Vanilla makes milk beverages seem sweeter

June 20, 2019

Adding vanilla to sweetened milk makes consumers think the beverage is sweeter, allowing the amount of added sugar to be reduced, according to Penn State researchers, who will use the concept to develop a reduced-sugar chocolate milk for the National School Lunch Program.

Spotted lanternfly expert at Penn State offers advice on using tree bands

June 19, 2019

According to Heather Leach, spotted lanternfly extension associate in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, one of the most effective traps for catching spotted lanternflies is a sticky band wrapped around the trunks of trees. Nymphs and adults are trapped on the sticky barrier as they crawl up the trunks to feed on newer growth higher in the tree.

Student finds perfect place for her many interests in College of Ag Sciences

June 18, 2019

Gillian Warner, a rising junior in community, environment, and development, is passionate about animals, food security and learning. She found a place for all these interests -- and more -- in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Seaweed feed additive cuts livestock methane but poses questions

June 17, 2019

Supplementing cattle feed with seaweed could result in a significant reduction in methane belched by livestock, according to Penn State researchers, but they caution that the practice may not be a realistic strategy to battle climate change.

Researchers find genes that could help create more resilient chickens

June 17, 2019

An international team, led by Penn State researchers, may have identified genes that could help farmers, especially ones in low- and middle-income countries, breed chickens that can resist one of the biggest disease threats facing poultry today.

Professor of wildlife resources honored for lifetime achievement in conservation

June 14, 2019

Margaret Brittingham, professor of wildlife resources in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently received PennFuture’s 2019 Woman of Lifetime Achievement in Conservation Award in recognition of her lifelong work to protect natural resources.

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)