By design: Penn State alumna devotes studies, career to protecting environment

March 27, 2019

An ideal world for Jayne Ulrich is one in which everyone -- from individuals to organizations to governments -- would take an active role in protecting, preserving and restoring the Earth’s natural resources. She’s doing her part not just personally, but also professionally as an environmental engineer with Mondelēz International, a multinational confectionery, food and beverage company known for making snacks such as Oreo and Chips Ahoy! cookies.

Book examines connection between gender and cooking energy in Sub-Saharan Africa

March 14, 2019

The link between gender and innovative energy use for food preparation is explored in a new book, “Recovering Bioenergy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Gender Dimensions, Lessons and Challenges,” co-edited by Ruth Mendum, assistant research professor for gender initiatives in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, and Mary Njenga, research scientist at the World Agroforestry Centre.

Penn State and University of Freiburg Announce 2019 Joint Projects

March 11, 2019

Penn State and the University of Freiburg have committed Joint Collaboration Development Program funds for a third year in 2019. The fund is a jointly financed seed-fund program between Penn State and the University of Freiburg in Germany and was launched to facilitate collaborative research and teaching projects to become sustainable, self-supporting, long-term activities.

International academic exchange program at Penn State promotes peace, research

March 4, 2019

Under the “Academic Mobility Program for Scientific Knowledge Transfer to Rural Communities for Peace,” students and faculty from Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina in Bogotá, Colombia (Areandina University), and La Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano (UTADEO), visited Penn State as part of a reciprocal exchange program through the College's Office of International Programs Ag2Americas initiative.

Assessment details impact of pests and pathogens on world’s major food crops

February 28, 2019

Pests and diseases are taking a substantial bite out of the world’s five major food crops — in some cases, up to 40 percent — according to a recently released publication, one of the first to inventory the impact on a global scale. “Declining crop health affects everyone — farmers, consumers and communities — by reducing food supplies, driving up costs, and sometimes even causing the misuse of pesticides and herbicides,” said Paul Esker, assistant professor of epidemiology and field crop pathology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Undergraduate students engage with Latino farmworker community through course

February 7, 2019

Because of significant labor shortages, Pennsylvania's dairy farms rely on Spanish-speaking immigrants as a key source of labor. However, cultural differences and language barriers can leave employers and workers lost in translation, affecting workers' well-being and community connection, and ultimately, farm viability.

Entomology students' global research to be supported by inaugural Guyton Award

January 27, 2019

Two students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are the recipients of the Guyton Award, a global learning scholarship established recently by Bill Guyton, an agricultural economist and internationally recognized expert in sustainable development.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

January 23, 2019

Ketja Lingenfelter, of the College of Agricultural Sciences Office of International Programs, received a "We Are" shout-out because of her outstanding contribution to the Penn State community.

College of Agricultural Sciences to participate in Study Abroad Week events

January 9, 2019

Every year, thousands of Penn State students enrich their academic experience and expand their view of the world by studying abroad. For students who haven't yet reaped the benefits of international learning — and even for those who have — Penn State's Office of Global Programs will showcase education-abroad opportunities during Study Abroad Week, slated for Jan. 14-18 at various times and locations on the University Park campus

Unique Graduate Student Cohort Will Explore Gender and Agriculture

December 20, 2018

Faculty in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are spearheading an initiative that will provide selected doctoral students with the opportunity for extensive study on gender and its relationship to agricultural production.

Biodegradable, Edible Film Kills Pathogens on Seafood

December 17, 2018

A biodegradable, edible film made with plant starch and antimicrobial compounds may control the growth of foodborne pathogens on seafood, according to a group of international researchers.

Project brings together agriscience educators from U.S., Malaysia

December 8, 2018

As a youngster growing up on a dairy farm in Perry County, Thomas Gabel's world didn't extend beyond the borders of Pennsylvania. "It was hard for me to imagine making a road trip a couple states over, let alone boarding a plane and traveling to another country," said Gabel, now a freshman majoring in agricultural and extension education in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Jacobson named first Global Faculty Fellow in College of Agricultural Sciences

December 8, 2018

Michael Jacobson, professor of forest resources in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, will help lead the college's Ag2Africa programming, as well as collaborate with Penn State's Office of Global Programs in its efforts to build a Water, Energy, Food Systems (WEFS) initiative in Africa.

Penn State root research results in breeding of improved bean plants for Africa

November 29, 2018

In the culmination of more than a decade of research on root traits conducted by Penn State plant scientists, about three tons of seed for common bean plants specifically bred to thrive in the barren soils of Mozambique will be distributed there Dec. 11.

Students Attend the 2019 World Food Prize

November 15, 2018

Penn State Food Safety Experts to Help Make Ethiopian Dairy Food Supply Safer

November 14, 2018

Food safety specialists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will collaborate with scientists at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and Kansas State University on a project to improve the safety and quality of Ethiopian dairy foods.

Gates Foundation grant to support research on satellite crop surveillance

November 12, 2018

A group led by David Hughes, associate professor of entomology and biology, will pursue an innovative global health and development research project, titled "Pest and Disease Surveillance via High-Resolution Satellites."

Johnson named recipient of Peace Corps' Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Award

November 1, 2018

Jacob Johnson, a doctoral candidate in forest resources and in international agriculture and development (INTAD) in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has received a Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Award in recognition of his service to others.

College of Agricultural Sciences selected as host site for Mandela Fellows

October 29, 2018

Boubou Sangho and Gladys Freeman, recipients of the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, spent six weeks of professional development at Penn State's University Park campus in August and September.

School for Excellence in the Ag Sciences inspires, motivates teens

September 10, 2018

Growing up in an urban area near Pittsburgh, Martha Pangburn had few interactions with those working in agriculture. "There aren't many farms where I live, so I never thought much about agriculture or farming," said the Quaker Valley High School senior. "Actually, I believed stereotypes like it's a simple, not-very-exciting way of life."

Faculty learning community to bring international ag to classroom via technology

September 8, 2018

Imagine being on a rubber plantation in Malaysia, just a few feet away from a farmer as he prunes low-hanging branches on a rubber tree, or watching a food scientist at a cacao bean cooperative in Honduras as she demonstrates how cacao beans become chocolate.

Extension dairy specialist honored by international guild for cheese activism

August 31, 2018

Kerry Kaylegian, assistant research professor of dairy foods and extension specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, was inducted into the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers New World Chapter on July 28 in a ceremony held in association with the American Cheese Society's annual meeting in Pittsburgh.

Farmer Field School addresses food insecurity, gender inequality in Honduras

August 28, 2018

Studying for her dual-title doctoral degree in rural sociology and in international agriculture and development at Penn State, Paige Castellanos learned about the plight of families living in western Honduras, where many eke out a living in an economy marked by high poverty rates and subsistence agriculture.

Well-being of 'left behind' children in Kyrgyzstan focus of study

August 17, 2018

Between 650,000 and 750,000 of Kyrgyzstan's 5 million citizens work outside of the country, making it one of the most remittance-dependent countries in the world, according to lead investigator Guangqing Chi, associate professor of rural sociology and demography and public health sciences in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education.

Working together for global good: Penn State, Oxfam join forces

July 17, 2018

Developing lasting solutions to the problems of poverty, hunger and social injustice is the cornerstone of a new partnership between Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and Oxfam America, the U.S. affiliate of Oxfam, the global organization working to end the injustice of poverty in 90 countries around the world.

Scientists find evidence of 27 new viruses in bees

June 22, 2018

An international team of researchers has discovered evidence of 27 previously unknown viruses in bees. The finding could help scientists design strategies to prevent the spread of viral pathogens among these important pollinators.

Agricultural diversification: Empowering women in Cambodia with 'wild gardens'

June 5, 2018

In a perfect world, everyone would have access to nutritious, affordable food. However, as Rick Bates knows, there is no such thing as utopia when it comes to food security, as millions of people around the world have limited food resources. One of those places is Cambodia in Southeast Asia, one of the world's poorest countries, where the rural poverty rate is 24 percent, and 40 percent of children younger than 5 are chronically malnourished, making them vulnerable to significant health problems.

Four honored for commitment to diversity in College of Agricultural Sciences

May 25, 2018

Four individuals have received the 2018 Dr. William Henson Diversity Achievement Award from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, an honor that recognizes distinctive and outstanding teaching, research, extension or creative work that advances diversity in the college.

Penn State-led consortium to support agricultural, economic growth in Ukraine

May 25, 2018

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is leading a consortium of land-grant universities in the United States that have pledged support for continued reform and development of the agricultural and rural sectors in Ukraine, a sovereign state in Eastern Europe that was once referred to as "the breadbasket of Europe," a nod to its fertile soil and abundant grain fields.

Cocoa CRISPR: Gene editing shows promise for improving the 'chocolate tree'

May 14, 2018

Use of the powerful gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 could help to breed cacao trees that exhibit desirable traits such as enhanced resistance to diseases, according to Penn State plant scientists.

Ag Sciences Global

Address

106 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802

Ag Sciences Global

Address

106 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802