Faculty in College of Ag Sciences lauded for teaching, extension excellence

December 6, 2024

Three faculty members in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently were recognized for their exemplary work in teaching as recipients of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2024 National Teaching Awards for Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Tracking immune cell brain cancer therapies with ultrasound

December 6, 2024

With a five-year, $3.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, a team led by biomedical engineering researchers at Penn State will apply ultrasound imaging technology to monitor the transport of genetically engineered, cancer-fighting macrophages into brain tumors.

Master Watershed Steward Tim Matthews aims to make conservation family-friendly

December 4, 2024

Volunteering as a Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward has enabled Tim Matthews to combine his skills and interests and engage with his community to design family-friendly projects aimed at protecting and improving the environment.

Pennsylvania 4-H delegation attends White House turkey-pardoning ceremony

December 3, 2024

Representatives from Penn State Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, and the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council had the unique opportunity to attend the annual turkey-pardoning ceremony at the White House on Nov. 25.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters -- Dec. 3

December 3, 2024

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.   

Pennsylvania ATV trail connector generated $23.5M in revenue over two years

December 2, 2024

An economic analysis led by researchers at Penn State found that the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail Connector generated over $23.5 million in economic revenue for area businesses over a two-year period.

Q&A: Penn State COP16 delegation contributes to biodiversity efforts

December 2, 2024

A delegation of Penn State faculty and graduate students who attended the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, known as COP16, in Cali, Colombia, share about the event and their experiences.

'Growing Impact' reflects on PlantVillage investment, success

December 2, 2024

“Growing Impact” highlights PlantVillage, an innovative project that leverages the power of smartphones, artificial intelligence and cloud computing to help millions of farmers across Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Sustainable Communities Collaborative partnership with Borough flourishes

November 27, 2024

The Sustainable Communities Collaborative (SCC) at Penn State Sustainability has coordinated a record number of partnership projects with the Borough of State College this semester. The SCC pairs Penn State classes from across disciplines with communities on partner-identified and defined community projects.

‘Plant Yourself in Ag Day’ highlights careers in agricultural education

November 27, 2024

In conjunction with National Teach Ag Day, undergraduate students in agricultural and extension education in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently put their budding teaching skills to work during a pilot career immersion event for high school students.  

Better habitats for forest farming wild leeks could help future foraging demands

November 26, 2024

Ramps, also known as wild leeks, and their unique garlic-onion flavor profile, are a popular foraged seasonal food but that demand could drive overharvesting of the native forest plant. In response to excess harvest worries, an interdisciplinary Penn State research team has studied how to grow and harvest ramps as a potential forest crop since 2017. In their latest study, published in the journal Wild, they characterized ramp habitat for the first time in Pennsylvania, offering guidance for the agroforestry practice known as forest farming. 

E3!: Agrifood systems educator program launched by the Global Teach Ag Network

November 26, 2024

Penn State's Global Teach Ag Network is launching a new program focusing on professional development for teachers in agriculture, thanks to new funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

First Opportunity Grants awarded to faculty

November 26, 2024

The new Opportunity Grant Professional Development Program awarded its first grants to 51 teaching and clinical non-tenure-line faculty.  

Researchers to study how to make carbon-storing product safer, more sustainable

November 26, 2024

Able to store carbon to offset emissions and prevent soil degradation and pollution, charcoal-like biochar could offer a sustainable solution to a lot of environmental challenges — if its production can be made greener. Supported by a three-year, $799,883 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, an international team led by researchers at Penn State will address the so-called “dark side” of biochar, assessing the threat of organic contaminant residues in biorefinery char products.

Tick tubes help reduce the parasites on mice, but time and frequency matters

November 25, 2024

Ticks are a nuisance across many areas of the U.S., capable of spreading harmful pathogens to both animals and humans. A new study led by researchers at Penn State analyzed the effectiveness of a simple, inexpensive strategy for controlling ticks that homeowners can use in their backyards.

Penn State receives replica of historic ceramic vessel from Ecuador government

November 22, 2024

In recognition of Penn State’s impactful contributions to cacao and chocolate research — spanning the improvement of the chocolate tree, the social and ecological impacts of cacao cultivation, chocolate manufacturing and marketing, and health benefits — the government of Ecuador presented the University and its College of Agricultural Sciences with a replica of an ancient ceramic vessel.  

Alternate stream water-testing method detects emerging contaminants

November 22, 2024

Pollutants known as “contaminants of emerging concern” or chemicals that could potentially harm human health and have been found in the environment, including pesticides, ingredients from personal care products, pharmaceuticals and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are increasingly found in streams and lakes. A team led by researchers at Penn State recently demonstrated the accuracy and utility of a new method to find even very low levels of these substances in surface waters. They reported their findings in the Science of the Total Environment.

New module supports fathers and father figures in their parenting journey

November 21, 2024

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, in partnership with the Department of Defense, has launched a new parent-education module specifically designed to support fathers and father figures in building stronger relationships with their children. This module is also a valuable resource for other caregivers who are parenting alongside fathers by providing insights into the unique role fathers play in child development and the parent-child relationship.

International food science summer school comes to Penn State

November 20, 2024

A two-week food science summer school was hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences this past July, giving undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to learn from experts both internal and external to the University.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters -- Nov. 20

November 20, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 15 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

With the new year, establish new healthy habits with Volumetrics series

November 20, 2024

Anyone interested in managing weight while eating satisfying and 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 Thursdays from Jan. 16 to Feb. 20, 2025.

Children’s book by Master Gardeners teaches kids about the spotted lanternfly

November 19, 2024

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners have released a new children’s book designed to educate youngsters about the invasive spotted lanternfly, which has wreaked havoc in landscapes across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Nittany AI Alliance fuels friends’ efforts to make an impact one yard at a time

November 19, 2024

Two best friends who met as undergrads at Penn State never knew how powerful their friendship could be until they joined together to form a Nittany AI Challenge team. With the continued support of the GeoEd Foundation and the Nittany AI Alliance they are developing Project Green Thumb, an application to help builders, homeowners, landscapers plant and maintain native, eco-friendly landscapes that support wildlife.

American soil losing more crop nutrients due to heavier rainstorms, study shows

November 18, 2024

Phosphorus, a nutrient in soil essential for sustaining most forms of life, is increasingly disappearing from land as it is washed into waterways throughout the United States, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.

Fox Graduate School names recipients of fall 2024 International Travel Grants

November 18, 2024

The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School at Penn State and Penn State Global have announced the awardees for the Fall 2024 Graduate Student International Travel Grants. Of 39 applications, seven were selected for $1,500 grants to assist them in presenting their research at international conferences outside the United States. 

How do formerly incarcerated individuals navigate community reentry?

November 18, 2024

A team of researchers from Penn State and the University of California, Irvine, received a one-year grant from the National Institute on Aging to examine how formerly incarcerated individuals form networks upon their release from prison and how such relationships help with navigating reentry into the community.

Penn State water-energy-food nexus project takes a global approach

November 15, 2024

Michael Jacobson, professor of forest resources in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, co-led the second Collaborative Learning School, a year-round virtual networking community of faculty, students and early career professionals that culminates in a two-week summer field workshop with U.S. and African scientists and practitioners. The school, which was held in Uganda last year, is funded by a five-year, $2 million U.S. National Science Foundation grant and is an initiative of the SustainFood Network.

Q&A: How do microbiomes influence the study of life?

November 14, 2024

Microorganisms — bacteria, viruses and other tiny life forms — may drive biological variation in visible life as much, if not more, than genetic mutations, creating new lineages and even new species of animals and plants, according to Seth Bordenstein, director of Penn State’s One Health Microbiome Center within the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

Penn State Extension specialist honored by national food safety organization

November 14, 2024

Martin Bucknavage, Penn State Extension senior program specialist for food safety and quality, has been selected to receive a 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, established to develop and provide training and outreach to support the U.S Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act.

Penn State agricultural economist recognized for excellence in Extension

November 14, 2024

Claudia Schmidt, assistant professor of marketing and local/regional food systems in the College of Agricultural Sciences, received this year’s Northeast Region Excellence in Extension Award for an individual, recognizing Schmidt for her development of a research-based agritourism extension program in Pennsylvania.

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)

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)