Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Oct. 15

October 15, 2026

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 24 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.

Genome detectives: Students sequence the genome of a harmful plant pathogen

October 15, 2026

Graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences contributed to the first complete genome sequence of a harmful plant pathogen from an ornamental Prunus host through an active-learning activity in a plant disease diagnosis course.

Q&A: Upcoming conference continues to connect women across the dairy industry

October 15, 2026

For more than two decades, Penn State Extension’s Women in Dairy Conference has provided an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to exchange ideas, gain new knowledge and build professional connections. Ginger Fenton, dairy extension educator who helped organize this year’s conference, discussed the conference’s history and the value of opportunities to learn and connect in this Q&A.

Students can learn the craft of meat processing through Penn State apprenticeship program

October 15, 2026

Meat processors and butchers are in high demand across Pennsylvania, and Penn State's Butcher School Apprenticeship Program is helping train the workforce.

Strategies for managing weight the focus of upcoming Volumetrics webinars

October 14, 2026

Anyone interested in losing or maintaining weight while eating satisfying, nutritious foods can learn about a science-based way to accomplish those goals by attending a six-part Penn State Extension series, “The Volumetrics Weigh of Life: Weight Management Plan." The webinars will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on six consecutive Wednesdays from Jan. 6 to Feb. 10, 2027.

Q&A: Why fallen leaves are a 'gift' worth keeping

October 14, 2026

Fallen leaves can benefit soil, plants, pollinators and other wildlife. Annette MaCoy, Penn State Extension Master Gardener coordinator for Franklin County, shares tips for making the most of fall leaves.

Modified lentil protein mimics fat in non-fat yogurt, researchers report

October 12, 2026

Modified lentil protein can act like fat in non-fat foods, especially yogurt, delivering creaminess and richness, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.

Penn State Soil Judging Team places second at 2026 Northeast Regional Contest

October 9, 2026

The Penn State Soil Judging Team Placed second overall at the 2026 Northeast Regional Collegiate Soil Judging Contest, held Sept. 23-25 near Waldorf, Maryland, and hosted by the University of Maryland's Department of Environmental Science and Technology.

Two 4-H State Council members begin next chapter at Penn State

October 9, 2026

Two members of the 2026 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council are attending Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences this fall as first-year students.

Perreault Fellow gains global agriculture experience in Australia

October 8, 2026

With a focus on the well-being of humanity, the Penn State Perreault Fellows Program helps Penn State students hone their global leadership perspectives. The centerpiece of this highly competitive program is an international internship. Liam Abbey, a plant sciences major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and one of 2026’s Perreault Fellows, spent his summer internship in Sydney, Australia.

Let's hear a 'We Are!' for these Penn Staters — Oct. 8

October 8, 2026

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 21 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.

Mixing plant material with manure may be key to profitable biogas production

October 8, 2026

Adding plant biomass to manure may improve the profitability of the farming process that mitigates greenhouse gas emissions while producing renewable energy, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.

Penn State, PDA break ground on Animal Diagnostic Laboratory expansion

October 7, 2026

Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture broke ground Oct. 5 on a nearly 46,000-square-foot, two-story addition to the University’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at University Park, a project that will expand the laboratory’s capacity to provide critical diagnostic services, respond to emerging animal health threats, and support Pennsylvania’s livestock and poultry industries.

Colombian bees detailed in one of the first annotated checklists of its kind

October 7, 2026

A team led by Nancy and John Steimer Professor of Agricultural Sciences Associate Professor of Entomology Margarita M. López-Uribe and Ruben D. Martín-Rojas, a doctoral student in the Department of Entomology, compiled a checklist documenting the bee species in Colombia — the first of its kind for any country in the Western Hemisphere.

Forum promotes collaboration to address impacts of wildfire in the Eastern US

October 6, 2026

Historically, wildfire research has focused on the western United States. However, changing climate conditions, increasing drought severity and dense development patterns are rapidly altering wildfire risk across the Eastern United States. Penn State hosted the Eastern Wildfire Forum in September to address the growing challenge of wildfire in the commonwealth and across the Eastern United States.

College of Ag Sciences clubs get philanthropy boost from visiting ag company

October 5, 2026

Three clubs in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences got a recent boost from a new donation from Pivot Bio, a company specializing in products that optimize crop production through specific nitrogen delivery.

Penn State Extension's ‘Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor’ now includes free stream video

October 5, 2026

Educators who want to introduce children to the science of stream health while empowering them to become young environmental stewards in their own communities can purchase a copy of the Penn State Extension publication, “Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor,” which now includes a free 360-degree stream video resource.

Coffee Hour to focus on invasive mosquitoes and changing landscapes

October 5, 2026

Kara Fikrig, assistant professor of entomology at Penn State, will deliver the talk “Understanding the Distribution of Invasive Mosquitoes Across the Landscape — And the Human Role in Shaping It” at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 9 in 112 Walker Building at University Park and via Zoom. Fikrig will discuss how human activity and environmental change are shaping the spread of invasive mosquitoes in the Peruvian Amazon and efforts to reduce related health risks.

Master Watershed Steward’s dedication helps conserve natural resources

October 5, 2026

With a background in environmental biology, Stefanie Green, of Northampton County, has always been interested in understanding and maintaining the natural environment. After joining the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward program, she put her skills and program resources to use.

Penn State students win award for connecting health and environment through play

October 5, 2026

A series of games developed by a team of interdisciplinary Penn State students to help children in Iquitos, Peru, learn about the connections between human, animal and environmental health was recognized with a national American Society of Landscape Architects award.

College of Ag Sciences spotlights research during Legislative Research Tour

October 2, 2026

Pennsylvania legislators, agricultural advocates and industry leaders got a firsthand look at how Penn State research is helping shape the future of agriculture during a recent tour of research and innovation at University Park.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Oct. 1

October 1, 2026

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 20 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.

Community, environment and development major updates focus on in-demand skills

October 1, 2026

The community, environment and development major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has redesigned its curriculum, revising courses and adding new offerings focused on the skills employers want and society needs.

Q&A: Ella McDyre gains hands-on experience at Penn State Dairy Barns

September 30, 2026

Through her work caring for Penn State’s dairy herd, Ella McDyre, a senior studying animal science, is applying lessons from the classroom, gaining experience in animal agriculture and preparing for a career working with animals.

Four faculty join the Institute of Energy and the Environment

September 30, 2026

The new faculty bring expertise in climate-related extreme weather, membrane development, water quality management and battery improvements.

Penn State scientists recognized for multistate livestock reproduction research

September 30, 2026

Two Penn State scientists are part of a national research team recognized with the 2026 agInnovation Excellence in Multistate Research Award for work aimed at improving reproductive performance in cattle and sheep — a challenge that costs U.S. livestock producers billions of dollars each year.

Penn State professor addresses veteran career pathways at legislative meeting

September 29, 2026

Daniel F. Perkins, principal scientist at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State and distinguished professor of family and youth resiliency and policy in the College of Agricultural Sciences, participated Sept. 24 in a joint informational meeting of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committees focused on helping veterans transition from military service to civilian careers.

First-year food science students compete in product development

September 29, 2026

Students in Penn State's food science program can get involved with product development and other opportunities as early as their first-year.

Microbiome sciences doctoral program celebrates first graduate

September 29, 2026

Penn State’s microbiome sciences dual-title doctoral program has reached a milestone with the graduation of its first student. The program is the first doctoral degree program worldwide focused specifically on microbiome sciences, which involve studying communities of microorganisms and their interactions in and with a particular environment.

Commonwealth Sustainability Week to be held online Oct. 5-9

September 29, 2026

Penn State Sustainability and the Pennsylvania GreenGov Council invite the public to the sixth annual Commonwealth Sustainability Week, to be held Oct. 5-9. Join for engaging conversations around the future of sustainability in Pennsylvania and innovative initiatives that are building a more resilient commonwealth for all.

Media Contacts

Amy Duke
  • Associate Director of Communications
Jeff Mulhollem
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
Katie Bohn
  • Science and News Writer
Alexandra McLaughlin
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)
Sean Duke
  • Marketing/Communications Specialist

Media Contacts

Amy Duke
  • Associate Director of Communications
Jeff Mulhollem
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
Katie Bohn
  • Science and News Writer
Alexandra McLaughlin
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)
Sean Duke
  • Marketing/Communications Specialist