Penn State Extension to offer ‘Beekeeping Around the World’ webinar series

January 13, 2025

For those interested in learning about how beekeeping is practiced in different parts of the world, Penn State Extension is offering a free, six-week webinar series. “Beekeeping Around the World" will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 6 to March 13.

College of Ag Sciences graduate students receive research grant awards

January 10, 2025

Thirteen graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences received research grants recently awarded by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Virtual speaker to discuss impact and potential of PlantVillage on Jan. 21

January 9, 2025

In the next Virtual Speaker Series from the Penn State Alumni Association, David Hughes, Huck Chair in Global Food Security at Penn State, will discuss PlantVillage, an AI-enabled "land grant in a phone" that uses data sharing to help smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia and the Americas adapt to climate change. This free event will be held on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 21. Registration is open now.

Webinar introduces free tool to help providers support veterans’ well-being

January 9, 2025

Veteran-serving providers can now access a free, innovative, evidence-based tool designed to improve outcomes for veterans and their families across multiple life domains, including employment, education, financial, physical and mental health, and social relationships. On Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. the Veteran Evaluation and Research Applications Network within the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, with funding from the May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, will host a free webinar introducing the Veteran Transition Screener.

Cycling and sustainability go hand-in-hand for College of Ag Sciences student

January 9, 2025

Emily Stapleton, a first-year agricultural and biorenewable systems management major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is working toward a career in sustainable food production. At Penn State, she’s found a place to pursue her academic interests and love of competitive cycling.

Ash tree variability may offer restoration path post-beetle decimation

January 8, 2025

The invasive emerald ash borer, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was first found in the United States in southeast Michigan in 2002. In the decades since, the wood-boring beetle has spread east and west across the U.S. and Canada, killing tens of millions of ash trees, causing one of the costliest forest insect invasions to date. Researchers at Penn State are working with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners to identify and develop ash trees genetically able to withstand the beetles’ onslaught and strategize how to restore ash to forests.

Quantity over quality? Different bees are attracted to different floral traits

January 6, 2025

Different species of bees may be attracted to different flower traits when it comes to deciding where they’re going to get their next meal, according to a recent study led by researchers at Penn State.

New grant aims to strengthen veteran policies in Pennsylvania

January 6, 2025

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State has received a $181,080 grant from The Heinz Endowments to develop and enhance policies in support of Pennsylvania’s military veterans. This funding will support efforts to strengthen state-level policy discussions, harness veterans' economic potential and evaluate the state’s workforce system to facilitate the successful integration of military veterans into Pennsylvania's workforce.

Penn State offers course to assist food processors in controlling listeria

January 2, 2025

Foodborne illness outbreaks and food recalls have occurred with troubling frequency in recent times, according to Penn State Extension food safety experts, who noted that one foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes, has been of particular concern. To help food processing operations reduce risk, Penn State specialists have created an online, self-paced course designed for managers, supervisors, sanitation workers and line operators who want to gain a better understanding about this important foodborne pathogen and how it can be controlled. 

'Growing Impact' examines sustainable cement replacements

January 2, 2025

The January episode of “Growing Impact” discusses cement replacements made from leftover agricultural materials that could be more environmentally friendly.

Pet dogs often overlooked as spreader of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella

December 23, 2024

A team of researchers from Penn State have found that household dogs are an overlooked transmission point for Salmonella, a pathogen that can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, with some infections potentially having life-threatening complications. However, they said, better awareness of the risk and proper hygiene could potentially help mitigate cross-species infections.  

Penn State Berks professor receives Crop Science Society of America 2024 Award

December 19, 2024

The Crop Science Society of America recently announced that Michael A. Fidanza, professor of horticulture at Penn State Berks, has been honored with the Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award. The annual awards are presented for outstanding contributions to crop science through education, national and international service, and research.

Pollinators most vulnerable to rising global temperatures are flies, study shows

December 19, 2024

Despite their reputation as buzzing nuisances, flies serve a critical role as some of the Earth’s most prolific pollinators — and new research led by Penn State scientists suggests they are increasingly at risk due to rising global temperatures.

New treatment for dairy cows could help fight antibiotic resistance, study finds

December 18, 2024

A concentrated sugar solution could be just as effective as antibiotics at treating a common infection in dairy cows, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.

Rural communities may be especially impacted by essential places closing

December 18, 2024

Two new studies led by Penn State researchers analyzed the experiences of residents in a rural Pennsylvania community after the closure of several essential places.

Penn State scientists educate national grape organization on spotted lanternfly

December 18, 2024

Members of the National Grape Research Alliance, a national nonprofit organization that supports America’s grape industry, joined Penn State’s spotted lanternfly research and extension team this fall for a two-day field trip to address the growing threat of the invasive pest jeopardizing the U.S. grape industry.

Penn State Extension offers webinars on mental health

December 17, 2024

Mental Health awareness is an important factor in knowing how to help those in crisis find the help and care they need. With “Mental Health First Aid Training,” participants can increase their comfort level in offering initial support to an adult experiencing a mental health challenge or substance misuse problem and help connect them with appropriate resources. As certified instructors, Penn State Extension educators teach the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Mental Health First Aid course. 

Better monitoring and education may help control plant-parasitic nematodes

December 17, 2024

A new literature review by Penn State researchers synthesizes findings on nematodes from previous studies, suggesting that implementing advanced biosecurity measures could reduce infestation rates in crops by up to 70%.

Global Teach Ag Network awarded for efforts in Pennsylvania educator development

December 17, 2024

The Global Teach Ag Network at Penn State has been awarded the "Bringing the World to Pennsylvania: K-16 Collaboration Award" from the Pennsylvania Council for International Education.

Bilingual, research-based training aimed at specialty crop farmers

December 16, 2024

Penn State Extension educators recently completed a grant-funded project that tackled workforce retention, pesticide safety and food safety challenges for specialty crop farmers.

Ag student travels to Arctic for research training in a climate-changed region

December 12, 2024

Ayse Akyildiz, a doctoral student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently returned from a research training trip to the Arctic, during which she and the other participants learned more about the region and the complex challenges it faces in a warming world.

‘Triple burden’ of invisible labor major stressor for farm women, study finds

December 12, 2024

Mental health challenges are a significant and growing concern for the nation’s farmers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As much as farming is often a family affair, programs and resources to support mental health in agriculture have focused on the primary producers, of whom nearly 64% are men. Women have always played a crucial role in agriculture, yet, Penn State Associate Professor Florence Becot said, their mental health and well-being — much like their essential contributions to agriculture — largely have been overlooked.

Army launches standardized toolkit to better support soldiers and families

December 12, 2024

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State, in partnership with the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Installation Management Command, has successfully developed a comprehensive toolkit to support the Army's Relocation Readiness Program. This innovative resource aims to streamline services and provide consistent, high-quality support to soldiers and their families across all Army installations.

Penn State awarded grant for workforce development for Spanish-speaking farmers

December 10, 2024

The Extension Foundation’s AgriProspects Workforce Development Network recently awarded Penn State Extension a competitive mini-grant to support its “Success Skills in Spanish 4 Ag” project, which focuses on workforce development for Spanish-speaking tree-fruit growers and poultry farmers.

College of Ag Sciences celebrates faculty, staff achievements in research

December 10, 2024

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences celebrated another year of outstanding success and accomplishments in research during the 2024 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 19 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

Penn State to offer food packaging online course

December 9, 2024

Penn State Extension is offering “Introduction to Food Packaging: Materials, Manufacturing and Innovation,” a self-paced online course, aimed at teaching participants to recognize the key elements and the impact of food packaging in the modern world.

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.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
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  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
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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)