Webinar to focus on adaption-innovation theory and community planning

September 13, 2023

A Penn State Extension land-use webinar on Sept. 21 will focus on the adaption-innovation theory, which examines individual and collective problem-solving approaches. Participants can gain insights into the diverse problem-solving styles within their communities and learn how to harness this diversity to drive innovation and create resilient, adaptable solutions. 

USDA grant to fund research on ‘farm tuning’ cover crop mixtures

September 12, 2023

With a new $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Carolyn Lowry, a plant scientist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, will lead a research team designing cover crop mixtures that are more effective at providing an array of ecosystem services.

Penn State professor elected to Mycological Society of America leadership

September 12, 2023

David M. Geiser, professor of mycology in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, was elected to the executive leadership of the Mycological Society of America, where he will serve successive terms as vice president, president-elect, president and past president over the next four years.

Students can discover opportunity, community at Ag Sciences Career Day Sept. 27

September 12, 2023

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will host its annual Ag Sciences Career Day on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center. During the event, current students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of career and academic fields to discuss internships, further education and full-time careers.

Extension's green industry team named national finalist for excellence award

September 8, 2023

The National Association of County Agricultural Agents named Penn State Extension’s green industry team as one of three national finalists in the association’s Search for Excellence awards program.

Kulcsar to assume role of interim dean of Penn State’s College of Ag Sciences

September 8, 2023

László Kulcsár has been named interim dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, effective Sept. 18.  

Course at Penn State gives students hands-on wildland fire management training

September 7, 2023

This spring, five students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences traveled to North Carolina and Florida to learn about wildland fire management and fire ecology techniques.

One Health Microbiome Center honors creativity and mentoring with award series

September 7, 2023

The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has named eight recipients for its 2023-24 Inaugural Award Series, which reflects on a profound year of impacts and achievements and recognizes the talents of the OHMC community.

Sending a ‘We Are!’ to these Penn Staters

September 7, 2023

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 12 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.  

Penn State seeking increased per-student support in 2024-25 funding request

September 7, 2023

Penn State leaders are requesting increased appropriations for the 2024-25 fiscal year that, if approved by the commonwealth, would narrow the per-student funding gap that exists between Penn State and Pennsylvania’s other public universities. The funding request is being submitted as a part of the commonwealth’s annual budget process.

Pennsylvania 4-H announces new state STEM specialist

September 6, 2023

Chantel Wilson recently joined Penn State Extension as the 4-H youth development program’s first STEM specialist. Wilson will provide leadership and technical support for science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs. 

Cattle on low-protein rations may need amino acid supplement to boost milk yield

September 6, 2023

Reduced protein feed for dairy cows is designed to decrease environmental nitrogen pollution from their manure such as nitrate leaching, nutrient-laden run-off and ammonia volatilization, but can lower milk production. A Penn State-led research team found that supplementing the feed with the amino acid histidine may help in maintaining, and even increasing, milk and milk-protein yields.  

Penn State’s Great Insect Fair returns to Snider Ag Arena on Sept. 30

September 5, 2023

Technology is an integral part of everyday life in the 21st century. Fittingly, Penn State’s 2023 Great Insect Fair will highlight the theme, “Bugs in the System,” focusing on the technology used in entomology. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Snider Agricultural Arena on the University Park campus.

Penn State researchers explore how gender affects agriculture in Ghana

September 5, 2023

A team of Penn State researchers recently held a workshop in Ghana on how gender affects dynamics within the agriculture industry. The trip capped a multi-year effort to better understand time poverty among women peanut farmers.

Invasive spotted lanternfly may not damage hardwood trees as previously thought

September 5, 2023

In 2012, when the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) arrived in the U.S. from its home in China, scientists, land managers and growers were concerned that the sap-feeding insect would damage native and commercial trees. New long-term research led by Penn State has revealed that hardwood trees, such as maple, willow and birch, may be less vulnerable than initially thought.

New updates come to 'Beescape,' an online tool for supporting pollinators

September 1, 2023

New updates have come to 'Beescape,' an online tool created by a Penn State-led team for assessing the quality of landscapes for supporting bees and other pollinators.

'Growing Impact' podcast discusses fungi as a possible plastic waste solution

September 1, 2023

Season 4 of the “Growing Impact” podcast opens with an episode that dives into plastic waste, specifically plastic film, and a potential biological solution of upcycling the material with fungi.

Richard Roush to step down as dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences

August 31, 2023

After nine years leading the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, on Sept. 17 Richard Roush will step down as dean of the college and serve as a special adviser to the interim dean through the end of 2023. 

20 students receive National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

August 30, 2023

The Graduate School at Penn State welcomes 20 new National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program recipients for the 2023-24 academic year.

Minimum dairy pricing policy could expand milk production, affect water quality

August 29, 2023

A dairy pricing policy originally proposed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic could have resulted in dairy farmers getting 10% more for their products if the policy had been passed, according to a Penn State study.

Master Watershed Steward Don Horn promotes sustainability and clean water

August 29, 2023

From childhood fishing excursions to his present-day passion for conservation, Don Horn always has valued water. In his retirement, Horn said he found purpose in becoming a Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer, which allows him to give back to the community while positively impacting his own mental health.

Volunteer leaves seven-figure estate gift to 4-H Therapeutic Riding Center

August 29, 2023

Since 1982, the Franklin County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Center, created by Penn State Extension educator Robert Kessler, has provided recreational and therapeutic horsemanship activities to individuals of all ages with varying special needs. Thanks to a seven-figure estate gift to the center’s endowment from longtime volunteer, and Penn State alumna, Angela Weagly, the center’s future is now brighter than ever.

Penn State receives $3M grant to address insect biodiversity crisis

August 28, 2023

A team of Penn State researchers has received a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to spearhead a new initiative to create novel monitoring systems for insect populations, many of which are experiencing dramatic changes across the globe due to changes in land use, pollution and climate change.

Animal Science department to provide biosecurity kits to 4-H programs statewide

August 28, 2023

Amid the recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry, all Pennsylvania 4-H animal project members are urged to practice stringent biosecurity measures both at home and during fairs, shows and other events. To promote good biosecurity practices, the Department of Animal Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is sponsoring a biosecurity kit for each county 4-H program in the state. 

Select microgreens in custom diet may help deliver desired nutrients

August 25, 2023

A diet including a carefully selected assortment of microgreens may help address an individual’s nutritional deficiencies, according to a Penn State researcher who led an international team that evaluated the mineral content in young specimens of 17 different plant species.

Animal microbiome researcher awarded $1.3M to study pathogenic threats

August 23, 2023

Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes and executive committee member of Penn State’s One Health Microbiome Center, was recently awarded two grants totaling $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lead teams of scientists in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension in studies of pathogenic threats to livestock and people.

One Health Microbiome Center's 2023-24 Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellows

August 22, 2023

The One Health Microbiome Center in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has named five recipients for its 2023-24 Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellowships program, which aims to promote collaborative training opportunities for center members and research development.

Cover crops project provides fertile ground for USDA graduate fellows

August 21, 2023

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences graduate students received more predoctoral fellowships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture than any other institution over the last five years. This year, five of the 11 recipients worked in the college’s long-term cover crop cocktails experiment. 

Penn State Extension to offer free virtual walking program

August 21, 2023

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 Sept. 1 to Nov. 6. 

Penn State is tops in USDA predoctoral fellowship program awards

August 21, 2023

Eleven Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences students have received predoctoral fellowships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. “This year, our college is No. 1 among its national peers in how many students received fellowships,” said Blair Siegfried, associate dean for research and graduate education in the College of Agricultural Sciences. The students received a combined total of more than $1.6 million in funding.

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)