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.

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.

Inhalable aerogel shows promise for transmission-blocking COVID-19 vaccine

March 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An inhalable "aerogel" loaded with DNA that encodes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein successfully induces an immune response against COVID-19 in the lungs of mice, according to new research conducted at Penn State. The team said its aerogel could be used to create an inhalable vaccine that blocks SARS-CoV-2 transmission by preventing the virus from establishing an infection in the lungs.

Researchers to devise new, innovative strategies to manage Philadelphia’s soils

March 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A team of Penn State researchers will develop recommendations and protocols for the testing and management of soils for safe production of garden and food crops in urban settings, funded by a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains not seen in migrating wild birds

March 29, 2022

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Although many wild birds carry Salmonella, the strains of the bacteria they convey usually do not harbor antimicrobial-resistance genes, according to Penn State researchers, who led a team conducting a new, nationwide study.

National 4-H Hall of Fame inducts two retired Penn State 4-H educators

November 2, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A retired Penn State 4-H extension educator and a retired faculty member were inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on Oct.12 for their lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H.

Penn State Ag Council presents 2021 Leadership Awards during fall meeting

November 2, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An agricultural leader, a task force dedicated to slowing the spread of the spotted lanternfly, and a Penn State sophomore were the recipients of 2021 Leadership Awards given by the Penn State Agricultural Council.

Students gain entrepreneurial experience through Harbaugh assistantship program

November 2, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Several undergraduates in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have a ringside view in moving research from the lab to the marketplace thanks to a unique opportunity offered through the college’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation program.

Nominations sought for the Paul R. and Joan M. Shellenberger Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

November 2, 2021

The purpose of this award shall be to honor and recognize a full-time instructor who is an outstanding teacher contributing significantly to undergraduate education in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Consideration for this award shall be given to all full-time instructors with teaching appointments (not on tenure track) in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Recipients of this award shall be selected by the Faculty Awards Committee based on nominations. Nominations for this award may be made by an individual, students, peers and members of the College of Agricultural Sciences community. A recipient may be considered again for this award after five years of continued extraordinary performance in undergraduate teaching. Please submit your nomination to Tracy Hoover – tsh102@psu.edu by November 29, 2021.

Penn State Poultry Science Club hosts annual turkey sale

October 25, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Poultry Science Club is again selling turkeys to members of the Penn State and surrounding communities just in time for delivery the week of Thanksgiving.

Fulbright award recipient in College of Ag Sciences conducting research in Ghana

October 25, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In rural Ghana, where most rely on farming for survival, families face many challenges, including scarcity of food, running water and electricity.

Penn State student feels at home as a Beef-Sheep Center live-in worker

October 25, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Blair Steele’s father did not want her to work at Penn State’s Beef-Sheep Center during her freshman year at the University.

Grant to fund research on biological approach to manage soil pathogens and pests

October 25, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In an effort to boost the profitability and sustainability of organic specialty crop productions, a team of scientists is improving and optimizing a method for controlling soilborne pests and pathogens and promoting soil health that prevents oxygen from entering the soil.

Jim Finley: Forest protector, private forest center founder, professor emeritus

October 25, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jim Finley long will be remembered for his simple but powerful message: take care of the woods. And in conveying that idea to thousands of people across Pennsylvania and the nation over a five-decade Penn State career, the professor emeritus of forest resources persuaded many.

Food pantries essential for reducing hunger among middle-class in 2020

October 25, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community food services played a critical role in helping Americans meet their food needs, especially during the first five months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research by a team of economists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. They found that middle-class Americans benefited the most from these services, demonstrating a key role these programs can play in times of crisis.

Popular perennial flowering plants can attract diverse mix of pollinators

October 25, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Popular species of perennial flowering plants vary widely in their attractiveness to pollinators, but homeowners and landscape managers who select certain perennial cultivars can support a diverse community of pollinators in their own backyards, according to a new study from a team of Penn State researchers.

Schreyer Scholar works to develop sustainable solution to food insecurity

October 18, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Vancie Peacock grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, but always dreamed of being on a farm. When she was 4 years old, she said, she became a vegetarian because she didn’t want to eat animals.

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners support bee-monitoring project in Pa.

October 18, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The decline of bee populations across the United States has become headline news and is a cause of great concern. The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are doing their part to increase the baseline knowledge of bee biodiversity in Pennsylvania and to help identify changes in bee communities in the commonwealth.

Plant pathologists at Penn State head investigation into tar spot disease in Pa.

October 18, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Plant pathologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are keeping a watchful eye on a corn disease new to Pennsylvania that has the potential to cause significant yield loss and reduce grain quality.

Penn State alumnus furthers agricultural education abroad despite pandemic

October 8, 2021

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering marks 100-year anniversary

September 27, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering has its roots in a global pandemic and will mark its centennial anniversary amid another — a unique organization bookended by unfortunate circumstances.

College of Ag Sciences senior finds path in environmental academics and action

September 27, 2021

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As a high school senior heading to Penn State, Elka Hoelsken wanted to pursue a degree in the University's Environmental Resource Management (ERM) program, which promised to feature hands-on learning and a comprehensive look at the environment.

Associate Director of Alumni Relations

Kelly Praskovich
  • Associate Director of Alumni Relations

Development and Alumni Relations

Address

240 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802