The Ag Alumni Society plays a vital role in supporting the college, its students, and alumni programming. Stay up to date and learn more about all the exciting news and events happening in the college and with the Ag Alumni Society.

Penn State unit partner projects highlight awareness, importance of pollinators

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa — Penn State's Center for Pollinator Research and the Insect Biodiversity Center, both at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, and the Department of Graphic Design at the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture have formed a partnership, funded by the Apes Valentes Program, to develop, design and produce materials to help increase awareness of pollinator biodiversity, the importance of pollinators to food security and ecosystem health, and strategies that can be used to support pollinators in urban, agricultural and natural landscapes.

Grow your beef stockmanship skills at upcoming field day

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association and Penn State Extension will present the annual Beef Summer Field Day on Saturday, July 23, at the Herr Angus Farm in Nottingham.

Pasto Agricultural Museum to make improvements thanks to agritourism grant

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Pasto Agricultural Museum in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently received a grant from Happy Valley Agventures that will support enhancing the museum’s visitor experience.

Sigler wins awards for academic advising excellence from College of Ag Sciences

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Chris Sigler, assistant teaching professor and academic adviser in the Department of Food Science, recently received both the 2022 Excellence in Academic Advising Award and the 2021-22 Community of Advising Excellence Award from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Jasmine Morgan named 2022 Outstanding Senior in College of Ag Sciences

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jasmine Morgan, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in veterinary and biomedical sciences, was selected as the 2022 Outstanding Senior in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Secrets of reptile and amphibian aging revealed

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — At 190 years old, Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise recently made news for being the “oldest living land animal in the world.” Although, anecdotal evidence like this exists that some species of turtles and other ectotherms — or ‘cold-blooded’ animals — live a long time, evidence is spotty and mostly focused on animals living in zoos or a few individuals living in the wild. Now, an international team of 114 scientists, led by Penn State and Northeastern Illinois University, reports the most comprehensive study of aging and longevity to date, comprising data collected in the wild from 107 populations of 77 species of reptiles and amphibians worldwide.

Why state funding matters: Penn State plays critical role for Pa. agriculture

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For Penn State alumnus Jim Shirk, a farm owner from Lancaster County, access to the research, information and programming offered by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension have allowed his family farm to thrive for nine generations.

Penn State Extension expands resources for growers at produce auctions

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension is expanding a program that offers educational kiosks at produce auctions across the state. These kiosks provide growers with timely, relevant information on disease and pest identification and management, invasive species, and food safety.

Penn State Extension publication offers guidance on managing spotted lanternfly

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new publication from Penn State Extension is a must-read for those who want the latest information about the spotted lanternfly.

Plant pathology grad student receives NSF fellowship to study grapevine disease

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a three-year Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation, valued at more than $100,000, to study how climate change is affecting diseases that rot grapes.

Preparations underway for Penn State’s 2022 Ag Progress Days

June 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Organizers have begun preparations for Penn State's 2022 Ag Progress Days exposition, which will be held Aug. 9-11 in Centre County.

Ethnobotanist gets grant to improve conservation of Pa. medicinal, edible plant

May 18, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Eric Burkhart, associate teaching professor of ecosystem science and management, has received a $31,600 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to study and compile wild plant use by foragers in the state.

No sour grapes here: App launches for Pennsylvania grape growers and wine makers

May 18, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension recently launched a new web application, “Cultivars in the Commonwealth,” aimed at empowering grape growers and wine makers throughout Pennsylvania. The app gives detailed information on various cultivars, or types of grapes — e.g., pinot noir or chardonnay — grown across the state.

Food safety from farm to fork: Resources for farmers markets vendors

May 18, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As farmers markets kick off this season, vendors and producers may benefit from Penn State Extension educational materials on controlling food safety risks from farm to fork — including a resource guide and an online course.

Banish botulism and safely preserve food at home with 'can-along' webinars

May 18, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Home food preservation has seen a renewed interest in recent years. But along with numerous benefits, the activity carries risk. Improper canning can lead to botulism, a potentially deadly illness, according to Andy Hirneisen, senior food safety and quality educator and team leader with Penn State Extension.

Future of deer management clouded by coming steep decline in hunter numbers

May 18, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Because so many deer hunters are aging out of the sport — and new hunters are not being recruited to replace them — deer management strategies will need to change to manage populations of whitetails in many states.

Penn State Extension offers farm safety trainings and demonstrations

May 13, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The May 2 death of a 68-year-old Cumberland County farmer who succumbed to toxic gases while working in a silo underscores the dangers associated with agriculture, which is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States.

New Penn State Extension endowment honors the ‘Siri’ of Lebanon County

May 13, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Recently, Alletta “Letie” Schadler received an unexpected phone call. Someone had a question about preparing a potato dish for a family of 15. Schadler often advised on food safety matters at Penn State Extension. But she worked there decades ago. The woman had found her number in an old telephone directory.

What does the detection of avian flu mean for Pennsylvania?

May 13, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Pennsylvania is the latest state to report a confirmed detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a commercial poultry flock, leading state officials, industry leaders and Penn State poultry specialists to redouble efforts to contain the virus and educate producers, backyard flock owners and the public about the disease.

Avian flu outbreak exacerbates concerns for farmers’ mental health

May 13, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The devastating outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, that has slammed Pennsylvania’s $7.1 billion poultry industry in recent weeks has caused the loss of nearly 4 million birds in nine commercial flocks in the state as of May 10. But besides its impact on producers’ bottom lines, avian flu also could affect their mental health and well-being, according to a Penn State Extension educator.

WATCH: Richard Roush shares perspective on fishing and curiosity in video series

April 14, 2022

In a video series titled “Perspective: Leaders at Penn State,” Richard Roush, Dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, reflects on his passion for fishing as an opportunity to continue to explore and ask questions about the natural world.

Accomplished professor of horticulture, extension tree-fruit specialist retires

April 4, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For almost 40 years, Rob Crassweller, professor of horticulture and extension tree-fruit specialist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has made impactful contributions to education, extension and research.

Interdisciplinary Penn State team awarded SOM Foundation Research Prize

April 4, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An interdisciplinary team of Penn State researchers was awarded $40,000 as a recipient of the Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) Foundation 2021 Research Prize for a project that explores mycelium-based and knitted textiles to form a sustainable building material.

'It’s a Wormy Deal' workshops for sheep and goat producers set for April

April 4, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension will hold a workshop titled “It’s a Wormy Deal” at three locations this spring for sheep and goat producers.

How would a nuclear winter impact food production?

April 4, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The day after lead author Daniel Winstead approved the final proofs for a study to be published in Ambio, the journal of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Russia put its nuclear forces on high alert.

Cover crops more effective than insecticides for managing pests, study suggests

April 4, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Promoting early season plant cover, primarily through the use of cover crops, can be more effective at reducing pest density and crop damage than insecticide applications, according to a Penn State-led team of researchers.

Penn State Extension educator secures grant to aid honey bees and beekeeping

March 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A $217,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program will enable Robyn Underwood, apiculture educator with Penn State Extension, to develop an extension program on honey bee queen rearing and artificial insemination.

Faculty in College of Agricultural Sciences lauded for excellence in teaching

March 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has recognized five faculty members for outstanding teaching in 2021.

Alliance between College of Ag Sciences, University of Pretoria yields benefits

March 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Developing solutions to address threats to plant health is the centerpiece of a partnership between Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

College of Ag Sciences and Ukraine partner in advancing agricultural development

March 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For 30 years, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has had a strong and productive working relationship with agriculture and universities in Ukraine, said Dean Rick Roush.

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Kelly Praskovich
  • Associate Director of Alumni Relations

Development and Alumni Relations

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240 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802