College of Agricultural Sciences

The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences offers 17 undergraduate majors, 23 minors, and graduate programs in 18 major areas.

College News and Information

A grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will enable Penn State researchers to explore whether high-resolution satellite imagery can accurately identify insect and disease damage to crops on small African farms. Image: Courtesy of David Hughes
Gates Foundation grant to support research on satellite crop surveillance
November 9, 2018
A research team in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has received a Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Led by David Hughes, associate professor of entomology and biology, the group will study the potential role of satellites in diagnosing crop pest and disease problems on African smallholder farms.
This research is a first step in exploring opportunities and challenges to developing animal agriculture in western Pennsylvania in a way that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. The region of Pennsylvania drained by the Ohio River provides additional opportunities for new animal agriculture facilities and related manure-management activities. Image: Upsplash / Kelly Sikkema
Go West for animal agriculture in Pennsylvania
November 5, 2018
To comply with nutrient-reduction goals in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Pennsylvania may want to consider the establishment of animal agriculture operations in the western part of the state, according to a team of Penn State researchers.
The benefits of having a live Christmas tree outweigh any risks associated with pests, according to a Penn State Extension educator. Image: Pexels
Risk of spotted lanternfly on Christmas trees is slight, says extension educator
November 2, 2018
"Real trees are part of an outdoor ecosystem, and there is always a chance that insects may be brought indoors with a tree, and the spotted lanternfly is no exception," said Tanner Delvalle, a horticulture extension educator based in Berks and Schuylkill counties. "However, the risk is small and should not be a reason for anyone to forego having a live holiday tree."
The researchers assessed food safety behaviors at Pennsylvania farmers markets using direct concealed observations and state sanitarian observations. They checked select samples of leafy green produce and meat obtained from vendors for the presence of hygiene indicators such as fecal coliforms, Listeria, and E. coli. Image: Joshua Scheinberg / Penn State
Farmers market vendors need training to improve food-safety practices
November 1, 2018
Many vendors at farmers markets take inadequate precautions to prevent the spread of foodborne illness, and they should be trained to reduce food-safety risks, according to Penn State researchers who completed the final phase of an innovative five-year study.
More College News and Information…

Subscribe

News by Email

Upcoming Events

The Science and Art of Cheese Making Short Course
When: November 12-15, 2018
Where: University Park, PA
Ag Live Alumni & Friends Tailgate
When: November 24, 2018
Where: Snider Ag Arena
Fall 2018 Commencement
When: December 15, 2018
2019 Ice Cream Short Course
When: January 6-12, 2019
Where: The Nittany Lion Inn, State College, PA
2019 Ice Cream 101: Introduction to Frozen Desserts
When: January 25-27, 2019
Where: University Park, PA
Food Microbiology Short Course 2019
When: May 21-23, 2019
Where: University Park, PA
Fundamentals of Food Science Short Course
When: June 3-6, 2019
Where: University Park, PA
More Upcoming Events…