Native bee populations can bounce back after honey bees move out

February 6, 2025

Managed honey bees have the potential to affect native bee populations when they are introduced to a new area, but a study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that, under certain conditions, the native bees can bounce back if the apiaries are moved away.

Washington state joins Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness initiative

February 6, 2025

Washington state has joined a growing list of states that provide resources from the "School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students" initiative — part of the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State — to schools in their state that intend to achieve the prestigious "Purple Star" designation.

Penn State Ag Sciences professor conducts virtual exchange with Latvian University

February 5, 2025

Noel Habashy, assistant teaching professor of international agriculture and development at Penn State, recently completed an Experiential Digital Global Engagement project with students from his course “INTAG 100N: Everyone Eats: Hunger, Food Security and Global Agriculture” and partners from Riga Stradiņš University, Latvia.

Gov. Shapiro proposes $60M in new funding for state-related universities

February 4, 2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed $60 million in new funding for Penn State and its fellow state-related universities — to be distributed through a soon-to-be-developed performance-based funding model — during his 2025-26 budget address, delivered Feb. 4 in the Pennsylvania House Chamber.

College of Agricultural Sciences student selected as Farm Foundation Cultivator

February 4, 2025

Raymond Yan, a fourth-year agricultural and biorenewable systems management student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, represented the University at the January 2025 Farm Foundation Round Table in North Carolina. Yan, one of six students from across the country selected as a "cultivator" by the nonprofit organization Farm Foundation, presented research covering various multidisciplinary projects focusing on food system innovation.

Most cross-bred beef-dairy calves display heartier constitutions than purebreds

January 31, 2025

Many modern dairy farm operations have developed an additional revenue stream by breeding dairy cows with Black Angus beef bulls using artificial insemination to produce crossbred calves, which typically have improved meat quality and higher market value compared to purebred dairy calves. But these valuable hybrid calves often are beset with pneumonia, which was thought to limit their growth performance after they recover.

Penn State Extension to offer free virtual walking program

January 30, 2025

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 7 through June 2.

After impactful career, Harper retires from Fruit Research and Extension Center

January 30, 2025

Jayson Harper, director of the Fruit Research and Extension Center in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences since March 2019, retired from Penn State effective Jan. 17. Grzegorz Krawczyk, Penn State Extension tree-fruit entomologist and research professor in the Department of Entomology, has been appointed as the new director.

Annual Global Gallery symposium puts spotlight on global food systems, Feb. 14

January 30, 2025

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and its international agriculture and development dual-title graduate program (INTAD) is inviting members of the Penn State community to explore their “ag love language” at this year’s Global Gallery symposium. The event will occur from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, in 223 HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus.

Rom honored with College of Ag Sciences’ Community of Advising Excellence Award

January 29, 2025

Ellen Rom, coordinator for undergraduate programs in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Penn State, has been recognized with the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Community of Advising Excellence Award.

Chris Houser named Penn State Extension associate director for programs

January 28, 2025

Chris Houser, Penn State Extension assistant director for agronomy and natural resources programs, has been named the organization’s associate director for programs, effective Feb. 1. He has been serving in the associate director role on an interim basis since June 2024.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Jan. 28

January 28, 2025

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 16 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Penn State experts to speak at Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention

January 27, 2025

Fruit and vegetable growers can delve into industry topics at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, set for Jan. 28-30 in Hershey, where many Penn State experts will present.

Researchers recognized for excellence by Institute of Energy and the Environment

January 27, 2025

The Institute of Energy and the Environment presented awards to six Penn State faculty members for their collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts and mentorship.

Penn State alumnus Nedoroscik and DWTS cast swing by Penn State Berkey Creamery

January 24, 2025

Penn State’s own Stephen Nedoroscik, gymnast, Olympic medalist and standout on the last season of “Dancing With the Stars,” accompanied by several of his castmates, made a sweet return to campus Thursday with a visit to what he said is one of his favorites — the Berkey Creamery.

Three faculty receive Presidential Early Career Award for scientists, engineers

January 24, 2025

Three Penn State researchers have been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the White House announced on Jan. 14. The award is the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on early-career scientists and engineers. The awards are conferred annually following recommendations from federal funding agencies.

Researchers explore strategies to aid smallholder fish farmers in Zambia

January 24, 2025

Although aquaculture, fish farming, is believed to have been practiced for thousands of years in Asia, the approach is relatively new in Africa, which is facing a “fish deficit” that contributes to a lack of protein in the diets of the populace, according to the international nonprofit WorldFish. To help accelerate fish farming in northern Zambia, a team led by researchers at Penn State investigated local integrated agriculture-aquaculture practices — meaning their management of agricultural resources to supply essential inputs for feeding fish — adopted by farmers.

López-Uribe awarded presidential honor for early career scientists

January 24, 2025

Margarita López-Uribe, the Lorenzo L. Langstroth Early Career Professor of Entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Harnessing mushroom microbiomes for better crop development

January 24, 2025

Microorganisms collected from the material in which button mushrooms are grown may benefit the development of future fungi crops, according to a study led by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Master Watershed Steward Bethany Canner leads community events in Lebanon County

January 23, 2025

In 2020, Bethany Canner became an inaugural member of the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer program in the Lower Susquehanna region. However, her curiosity and interest in watershed management date back to her childhood.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Jan. 22

January 22, 2025

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 19 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Jimenez-Gasco leads Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology

January 22, 2025

The College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State has appointed Maria del Mar Jimenez-Gasco, professor of plant pathology, as head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, effective Jan. 1.

‘Buzz me in:’ Bees wearing itty bitty QR codes reveal hive secrets

January 22, 2025

Several hundred bees in rural Pennsylvania and rural New York are sporting tiny QR codes on their backs to track when they go in and out of their hives. The work, a collaboration among entomologists and electrical engineers at Penn State, is the first step in solving a long-standing mystery of how far bees travel from their hives to collect pollen and nectar.

Despite knowing where and when people hunt, Canada geese don’t flee far

January 21, 2025

Geese appear to understand when and where hunting takes place but are willing to risk the danger to stay close to resources and their primary habitats, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. 

Christina Grozinger to lead Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences as director

January 17, 2025

Christina Grozinger has been appointed as the new director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State, succeeding interim director Patrick Drew. Globally recognized for her research in pollinator genetics and insect biodiversity, Grozinger's leadership is expected to significantly advance the institute's research capabilities and collaborative efforts across diverse scientific disciplines.

Panel discussion will explore outcomes, key takeaways from COP29

January 17, 2025

The delegation of Penn State faculty and students who went to Azerbaijan for the United Nations’ annual climate meeting known as the Conference of Parties, COP29, will take part in a panel discussion from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, at Penn State University Park. The event, called Climate Conversation Café, is supported by the Penn State Climate Consortium.

Discovery could eliminate need to refrigerate vaccines and protein-based drugs

January 16, 2025

A new storage technique can keep protein-based drugs and vaccines stable without keeping them cold. The discovery, led by researchers at Penn State, could eliminate the need for refrigeration for hundreds of life-saving medicines like insulin, monoclonal antibodies and viral vaccines.

WATCH: Entomology doctoral candidate discusses wasp discoveries

January 16, 2025

Identifying two dozen new species of gall wasps was a crowning achievement of Louis Nastasi’s Penn State graduate education experience. A doctoral candidate in entomology, Nastasi and his collaborators have discovered more than 20 new species of gall wasps through their research.

New grant to evaluate national nonprofit programs focused on veteran employment

January 15, 2025

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State has been awarded a $100,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments to support the evaluation of four prominent national nonprofit programs — Hiring Our Heroes, Hire Heroes USA, VetJobs and Onward to Opportunity— dedicated to improving veteran-employment outcomes.

Military community can access Penn State Extension resources for free

January 14, 2025

At the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Military Appreciation Day, Jan. 9, Penn State Extension announced the launch of its Military Program. Running through March 31, the program provides active military members and veterans with free access to eligible workshops, webinars, conferences, online courses, and guides and publications.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
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  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)

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)