Penn State's 'Stories from the Field' returns with spring 2024 lineup

February 7, 2024

Penn State’s “Stories from the Field” conversation series is returning this spring with two new sessions. Topics will include community and economic development work in the changing and diversifying city of Hazelton, as well as helping Pennsylvania’s communities reduce emissions with the Local Climate Action Program.

No place like Antarctica: Students take study abroad trip of a lifetime

February 7, 2024

For the first time, Penn State students could experience Antarctica’s wonders through an embedded course, “Antarctica: Human Impacts on a Fragile Environment,” offered this past fall.

Search launched for new dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences

February 7, 2024

Penn State is seeking nominations and candidates for the next dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

A Note from Neeli: February 2024

February 7, 2024

President Neeli Bendapudi shares the story of “Together, Tacit,” an inspiring interdisciplinary research and creative collaboration between the College of Arts and Architecture and the College of Engineering.

Annual Global Gallery highlighting international ag research slated for Feb. 23

February 5, 2024

The annual Global Gallery symposium, hosted by the international agriculture and development dual-title graduate program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and its student association, will feature the international research efforts of faculty and graduate students.

Supplementing financial aid with education may benefit SNAP recipients

February 2, 2024

Pairing education with financial assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could help to improve diet quality, according to new research published in the journal Agricultural Economics.

'Growing Impact' podcast explores effect of solar energy's expansion on land use

February 2, 2024

The latest episode of the "Growing Impact" podcast explores how to minimize the conflict that can occur when considering placement of solar energy installations.

Webinar to focus on the science of addiction and recovery

February 1, 2024

A Feb. 27 Penn State Extension webinar, titled “The Science of Addiction and Recovery,” will focus on several major concepts related to substance use, addiction and recovery. 

Penn State Extension to offer free virtual walking program

January 31, 2024

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 1 through May 27, 2024.

Edge habitats along roads and power lines may be key to conserving rare plants

January 31, 2024

Managing forest edge habitats to maintain a gradient of canopy cover and plant density could be key to conserving some threatened native plant species such as wild lupine, according to Penn State researchers, who said edge habitats along roadways and utility rights-of-way provide prime opportunities to promote rare native plant populations.

Ukrainian youth researchers collaborate in multi-site refugee program

January 31, 2024

A multilateral team consisting of Penn State, Leibnitz University (Hannover, Germany), Galway University (Galway, Ireland), and Maria Grzegorzewska University (Warsaw, Poland) is currently conducting a multi-site study with Ukrainian Refugee Youth.

Proteins in milk — not just fat — may help reduce oral burn from spicy food

January 31, 2024

Spicy food lovers know that milk can ease the oral burn, but why? Some believe that fat is the soother, with whole cow’s milk reducing the bite more than low-fat cow’s milk or plant milks. A new study conducted by Penn State food scientists, however, suggests that protein plays a role in cooling the heat sensation, too.

Aspiring natural resource professionals showcase skills in Dendro Cup contest

January 30, 2024

On a brisk afternoon in December, students in a forestry course in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences ventured into a wooded field on the University Park campus, eager to discover woody plant specimens and claim bragging rights in the second annual Dendro Cup competition. Designed by instructors Eric Burkhart and Calvin Norman, the competition evaluates the expertise gained by students in the morning and afternoon sections of their fall semester field dendrology course.

Penn State entomologists appointed to national committee on pollinator research

January 29, 2024

Two entomologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have been appointed to serve on a new U.S. Department of Agriculture subcommittee on pollinators.

Fungi into the Future

January 29, 2024

Mushrooms, and specifically the common white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, are big business in Pennsylvania. The state grows almost two-thirds of all Agaricus produced in the United States. Penn State’s leadership in research and education has shaped and supported the industry since its beginnings. In recent years, however, mushroom-related research at Penn State has expanded, fungus-like, across departments and even colleges into new and surprising areas, from food science to environmental clean-up to architecture and design.

Center for Ag Conservation Assistance Training enlists engineering firm

January 29, 2024

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, administered by Penn State Extension, has contracted with the infrastructure consulting firm Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. This partnership is aimed at boosting the conservation workforce’s capacity to implement best management practices, ultimately improving and protecting soil health and water quality in Pennsylvania.

Six researchers recognized with Institute of Energy and the Environment Awards

January 29, 2024

Six Penn State researchers who were nominated by the Penn State community for their collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts were recognized with Institute of Energy and the Environment’s Research Awards.

New grant focused on promoting economic mobility of Westmoreland County youth

January 26, 2024

The Richard King Mellon Foundation awarded a $228,000 grant to Penn State Extension to support young people’s economic mobility in Westmoreland County.

Sending a ‘We Are!’ to these Penn Staters

January 25, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 13 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Master Watershed Steward Art Gover earns award for natural resource education

January 25, 2024

With 36 years of experience at Penn State as a researcher and educator in weed and vegetation management, Art Gover specializes in handling invasive species in natural settings. Now retired, he continues to share his expertise as a volunteer with the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward program. Gover, based in Centre County, recently earned the 2023 Natural Resource Education Champion Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.

Ag Sciences Global to host a four-part virtual food-security seminar series

January 24, 2024

Students and others interested in learning about the complexities of food security are encouraged to participate in a virtual seminar series hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Foodborne-pathogen Listeria may hide from sanitizers in biofilms

January 24, 2024

An estimated 1,600 people in the U.S. contract a serious infection from Listeria bacteria in food each year and, of those individuals, about 260 people die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Penn State researchers may now better understand how the bacteria, called Listeria monocytogenes, survive and persist in fruit-packing plants by evading and surviving sanitizers.  

Book co-authored by Penn State's Levon Esters to highlight power of HBCUs

January 23, 2024

A new book co-authored by Levon T. Esters, vice provost for graduate education, dean of the Graduate School at Penn State, and professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, highlights the role that historically Black colleges and universities play in empowering Black students, fostering economic development, building community, and mentoring leaders and activists.

Veterans of color and female veterans reported more stress during COVID-19

January 23, 2024

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State found veterans of color and female veterans reported significantly higher levels of stress than their white male counterparts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hidden Gems: The Butcher Block at Penn State

January 19, 2024

The Butcher Block at Penn State offers access to fresh, locally-sourced meats once a week during the spring and fall semesters. But those hoping to get some fresh bacon or oxtail may want to arrive early — the shop takes orders on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Donors create international travel endowment to honor lifelong friend, ag alumna

January 18, 2024

In honor and memory of their dear friend, a Penn State alumna who died in 2022 at the age of 90, Helen and Steve Schreiner have created the Dr. Marion P. Cullen International Travel Endowment in Animal Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Pennsylvania 'Dairy of Distinction' award applications are due by April 15

January 17, 2024

Pennsylvania dairy producers are invited to apply for the Dairy of Distinction award from the Pennsylvania Dairy of Distinction Program. Applications must be submitted by April 15.

Schreyer Honors College announces 2024 Alumni Award recipients

January 17, 2024

Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College has chosen six Scholar alumni who will receive 2024 Scholar Alumni Awards in recognition of their professional achievements and contributions.

Research to help private forest owners manage woodlands for ecosystem services

January 17, 2024

Funded by a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a team of forest ecologists and social scientists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will conduct research aimed at helping owners of small- to medium-sized forest tracts manage their woodlands for ecosystem services they deem desirable.    

Women farmers quantitatively linked to better community well-being

January 17, 2024

Having more women in agriculture is associated with greater community well-being, according to researchers at Penn State and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Their work is the first to quantitatively assess this link, and their findings suggest that women farmers approach their operations in ways that positively impact their communities.

Media Contacts

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  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
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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)