NASA awards multi-institutional team $1M grant to inform US forest management

November 15, 2023

A research team led by a Penn State ecologist has received a $1 million grant from NASA to integrate satellite data into predictive modeling to anticipate change in recruitment — the process by which new trees emerge — within forests across the eastern United States.  

A Note from Neeli

November 15, 2023

Join me on my recent visit to the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm — home base of the Student Farm Club, where I had the wonderful opportunity to learn from some of our amazing students and staff, experience the farm’s impact first-hand, and even harvest a few late-season tomatoes to be distributed to the community by Penn State students.  

$1.45M NSF grant to fund new research into how grasses thrive in dry climates

November 14, 2023

A new $1.45 million grant from the National Science Foundation will allow Penn State researchers, including undergraduate students, to explore how pores on plant surfaces work and might be engineered to enhance photosynthesis and efficient water use.

Penn State Pullers to raise support on GivingTuesday for design competition

November 13, 2023

Penn State will celebrate its ninth GivingTuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 28 — and the Penn State Pullers student-run engineering design team invites alumni and friends to participate by showing support for the club.

Dangerous bee virus less deadly in at least one US forest, researchers find

November 9, 2023

This year’s cold and flu season is bringing good news for honey bees: Penn State researchers have found that the deadly deformed wing virus may have evolved to be less deadly in at least one U.S. forest.

Penn State senior selected as Marshall Scholarship finalist

November 8, 2023

Penn State senior Vancie Peacock recently was selected as finalist for a 2024 Marshall Scholarship. Peacock, of Memphis, Tennessee, is a biological engineering major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and a Schreyer Scholar.

Social media the focus of Nov. 15 land-use webinar from Penn State Extension

November 8, 2023

Social media can serve as a powerful tool for government and community-based organizations to connect with the communities they serve, according to organizers of a Nov. 15 Penn State Extension land-use webinar that will focus on planners’ use of social media.

College of Ag Sciences hosts first-generation college student networking event

November 6, 2023

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently hosted a networking event for first-generation college students and advocates as part of the inaugural ERM 197: First Year, First-Gen Engagement seminar.

Collaborative landscape design approach may improve resiliency, human well-being

November 6, 2023

A framework called regenerative landscape design may improve how complex, interconnected environmental and social challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, are addressed, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.

Food Science Club spotlight: A community-based program

November 3, 2023

The Food Science Club is a student-based group in the College of Agricultural Sciences that offers opportunities for students to advance their academic and professional careers.

Deanna Behring appointed to National Science Foundation advisory committee

November 2, 2023

Deanna Behring, assistant dean for international programs and director of Ag Sciences Global in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been appointed to the National Science Foundation’s Advisory Committee for International Science and Engineering for a three-year term beginning Nov. 1.

Two Penn Staters named finalists for Rhodes Scholarship

November 2, 2023

Two Penn Staters were named finalists for the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the most sought-after international scholarships in the world.

'Growing Impact' examines landscape restoration in Malawi

November 2, 2023

The latest episode of the "Growing Impact" podcast discusses landscape restoration as a potential natural climate solution for Africa.

Children’s book written by extension educator teaches kids about stream health

November 1, 2023

“Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor: Featuring Dr. Watt R. Shedd” introduces readers aged 8-10 to the world of stream health and environmental stewardship. The author is real-life stream doctor, Jennifer Fetter, who leads the Penn State Extension water resources team and serves as interim director of the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training.

Sustainability Showcase events to feature Diné Chef Freddie J. Bitsoie Nov. 2-9

October 31, 2023

Penn State Sustainability, in collaboration with the Centre Film Festival, will host Diné (Navajo) chef, Freddie J. Bitsoie, at University Park Nov. 2-9 as a part of the ongoing Sustainability Showcase series.

World Campus celebrates science and technology programs

October 30, 2023

Penn State World Campus is highlighting its science and technology programs during its 25th anniversary.

Penn State students attend Doctors in Italy pre-veterinary program

October 30, 2023

A group of Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences students recently traveled to Italy as part of the Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program’s annual pre-veterinary summer program. 

Convincing consumers to love ‘imperfect’ foods with new USDA grant

October 30, 2023

A new grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will fund a new project aiming to reduce food waste by finding opportunities for foods that were previously considered undesirable to enter grocery stores and other sectors of the market across the United States.

Penn State team to help local groups reduce pollution in lower Susquehanna basin

October 27, 2023

To accelerate conservation and reduce water pollution, a Penn State team composed of outreach staff and extension educators will build upon existing partnerships with organizations in the lower Susquehanna River basin. The watershed is plagued by runoff of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture.  

Trip to Uganda has a profound impact on Penn State graduate student

October 27, 2023

For doctoral student and agricultural educator Mia Sullivan, traveling to Uganda this past summer with Penn State’s Global Teach Ag Network will be the foundation for her studies and future career.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

October 25, 2023

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 11 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University. 

Penn State Ag Council celebrates agricultural leaders during its annual meeting

October 24, 2023

The Penn State Agricultural Council recently lauded the achievements of a founder of a public affairs firm dedicated to agricultural and rural affairs, a communications leader in the College of Agricultural Sciences, a program that promotes careers in agriculture and a Penn State student from Huntingdon.  

Predicting nationwide crop water availability by understanding soil influences

October 24, 2023

A team of researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to generate knowledge and tools, such as national-level predictive models, to develop a better understanding of how changes in soil texture and structure influence the availability of water for crops.

Plant pathologist to research plant diseases in organic vegetables

October 24, 2023

Sharifa Crandall, a plant pathologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has received support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study plant diseases in organic vegetable operations.

Dietary selenium may help fight acute myeloid leukemia, researchers report

October 24, 2023

Selenium-enriched diets may help ward off myeloid leukemia, and a new study led by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has described the mechanism by which this occurs.

Gene integral to initiating, sustaining sperm cell development identified

October 23, 2023

With male infertility a mounting global concern impacting approximately 12% of men, according to the National Institutes of Health, a Penn State research team has discovered a gene that plays a key role in initiating and sustaining spermatogenesis. The finding, they said, may open a door for future therapies to boost sperm counts. 

Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference shines spotlight on innovation

October 20, 2023

Penn State students, faculty and alumni entrepreneurs joined with venture firms and startup founders from across the United States for the 2023 Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference, held Oct. 16-17 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey. 

Replacing 3D printing plastics with plant-derived materials

October 20, 2023

A sustainable resin material comprising agriculturally derived components could potentially replace plastics used in large-format 3D printing, which can produce furniture, boats and other similarly sized objects, according to a team of Penn State agricultural and biological engineers.

USDA grant awarded for study on soil health, weed control in organic operations

October 17, 2023

A nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will support research on soil health and weed suppression in organic farming.

National 4-H Hall of Fame inducts former Pennsylvania 4-H leader Christy Bartley

October 16, 2023

Christy Bartley, former state 4-H program leader with Penn State Extension, was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame Oct. 9 for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H.

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)