Virtual Symposium Lite designed to complement in-person TLT Symposium

February 15, 2023

Teaching and Learning with Technology will offer a new virtual complement to the TLT Symposium this year. Symposium Lite is a half-day event on March 23, which will feature prerecorded presentations and live discussions.

Free film and panel discussion reveals 'invisible' crisis of the microbial world

February 15, 2023

On Thursday, March 2, Penn State’s Microbiome Center will host a film screening of "The Invisible Extinction," followed by a live scientist question and answer session. Registration for this free event is open now at the State Theatre.

New grant will help empower small farms with sustainable practices

February 14, 2023

The Global Teach Ag Network at Penn State is partnering with the University of Tennessee at Martin on a new project to help empower small-farm owners with sustainable agriculture practices.

Pasto Ag Museum, Penn State Equine Science focus of College Connections series

February 14, 2023

Registration is now open for the next two sessions of College Connections, a monthly webinar series designed to give a unique, inside perspective of the programs, people, priorities and partnerships of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.

Biorenewable systems major selected as a USDA Future Leader in Agriculture

February 13, 2023

Makaila Holston Smith, a junior biorenewable systems major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Future Leader in Agriculture.

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

February 10, 2023

For those interested in learning about how beekeeping is practiced in different parts of the world, Penn State Extension is offering a free, seven-week webinar series.

Latest edition of Penn State Agronomy Guide released

February 10, 2023

Farm managers, producers and growers on farms of any size looking for the latest, research-based information on crop, soil and pest management can turn to the 2023-2024 edition of the Penn State Agronomy Guide, now available from Penn State Extension.

Q&A: Is chocolate healthy?

February 10, 2023

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the mind naturally turns to love — and chocolate. To learn more about chocolate and its effects on us, we spoke with Joshua Lambert, professor of food science at Penn State. Lambert’s research focuses on diet, specifically adopting dietary practices to prevent cancer, obesity and inflammation. He has worked extensively with cocoa, the key ingredient in chocolate.

Researcher gets $2M grant to test feed additives’ effect on methane emissions

February 9, 2023

Alex Hristov, Penn State distinguished professor of dairy nutrition, has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct studies to determine whether supplementing the feed of lactating dairy cows with either 3-Nitrooxypropanol or a species of red seaweed reduces the amount of methane emitted by the animals in the long-term.

Recalls of fresh meat products may lower customer demand

February 9, 2023

Fresh meats such as chicken and beef are staples of many Americans’ diets, but demand may take a hit after these products are recalled, according to new Penn State research.

Penn State’s ‘Stories from the Field’ series announces spring lineup

February 8, 2023

Penn State’s “Stories from the Field” conversation series is returning this spring with three new sessions, with speakers sharing lessons for practitioner-academics, insights into how governments and communities can work together to tackle biosecurity threats, and stories that illustrate the importance of trust in vaccination-education efforts.

Perreault Fellows welcome new cohort

February 3, 2023

The Perreault Fellows Program, an international internship program funded by an endowment given by Paul and Beverly Perreault, is entering its third year at Penn State. Each year, the program seeks to enroll a diverse group of Penn State undergraduates in a two-year, co-curricular program, the centerpiece of which is an internship abroad during the summer semester. Now, the Perreault Fellows program welcomes its newest cohort, a group of seven students from four campuses across the commonwealth.

Penn State Extension offers numerous options for pesticide recertification

February 3, 2023

Pennsylvania certified pesticide applicators looking for ways to earn recertification credits may want to consider the wide variety of options provided by Penn State Extension, which is offering a 25% discount on all pesticide recertification online courses through March 31.

Global Learning in Agriculture Community Kick-Off Week starts Feb. 6

February 2, 2023

The Global Teach Ag Network at Penn State brings together educators to level up their teaching so they can engage their students in the world’s biggest challenges in global agriculture and food security. The digital Global Learning in Agriculture (GLAG) Community is now open free of cost to any educator. In order to mark this change, GLAG Kickoff Week will take place Feb. 6-10. Educators can find more information and request to join at https://global-teach-ag-network.mn.co/.

Berks professor Mike Fidanza edits book on sustainable turfgrass management

February 1, 2023

Mike Fidanza, professor of plant and soil sciences at Penn State Berks and former editor-in-chief of the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, served as the editor of “Achieving Sustainable Turfgrass Management” — a new textbook centered on implementing eco-friendly initiatives in maintaining turfgrass.  

Pennsylvania Grape and Wine Industry Winter Conference slated for March 1-2

January 31, 2023

Wine producers and other stakeholders in Pennsylvania’s grape and wine industry will gather at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College from March 1-2 for the annual Pennsylvania Grape and Wine Industry Conference, hosted by the Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Program and Penn State Extension.

Do groundhogs hibernate? What to know about groundhogs for Groundhog Day

January 31, 2023

The groundhog, also known as a woodchuck or whistle pig, is one of Pennsylvania's most widely distributed mammals. Here are 10 facts to know about the groundhog, courtesy of Penn State Extension experts.

Eissenstat retires from College of Ag Sciences after three decades at Penn State

January 31, 2023

David Eissenstat, professor of woody plant physiology, retired recently after a distinguished 28-year career on the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty, including a two-year stint as interim head of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

Five Penn State faculty elected to 2022 cohort of AAAS Fellows

January 31, 2023

Five Penn State faculty members have been elected to the 2022 cohort of fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society.

Land-use webinar to focus on community schoolyards to increase park access

January 30, 2023

An upcoming Penn State Extension webinar will focus on community schoolyards as a solution for increasing park access in urban, suburban and rural communities. The webinar is scheduled for noon Feb. 15. 

Aquatic organisms respond to flooding and drought disturbance in different ways

January 30, 2023

Populations of various species of aquatic insects and other invertebrates respond to flooding and waterway drying due to drought in different ways that can be anticipated, according to a new Penn State-led study that employed a novel method to assess the stability of stream ecosystems.

Deer browsing is just one of many factors shaping North American forests

January 30, 2023

In a study that likely is more notable for how it was conducted than for what it found, a Penn State-led research team discovered evidence that browsing by white-tailed deer had relatively little long-term impact on two tree species in a northern forest.  

Penn State Extension to offer webinar series on homesteading

January 30, 2023

For those interested in learning the art of homesteading, Penn State Extension is offering a webinar series, “Living on a Few Acres." Webinars will take place each Thursday from March 9 to April 13.

Honey bee colony loss in the U.S. linked to mites, extreme weather, pesticides

January 30, 2023

Honey bee colony loss across the United States over the last five years is primarily related to the presence of parasitic mites, nearby pesticides, and extreme weather events as well as challenges with overwintering, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.

‘Keeping it Green’ podcast aimed at plant professionals and enthusiasts

January 27, 2023

A new Penn State Extension weekly podcast, titled “Keeping it Green,” is aimed at ornamental plant professionals and enthusiasts. The podcast features interviews with horticultural professionals and covers design, installation and maintenance, plant selection, pests, and other current horticulture topics. 

Penn State Extension offers courses for heart health

January 27, 2023

February is American Heart Month, a time when the nation brings awareness to heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. To help make heart health a priority, Penn State Extension is offering a free, 12-week email series — “A Journey to a Healthier Heart” — that focuses on small lifestyle changes to improve heart health.

Spotted lanternfly experts share what research has uncovered about the pest

January 27, 2023

Since the spotted lanternfly’s unwelcome arrival in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014, researchers have been working tirelessly to learn more about the invasive pest, now confirmed in 45 Pennsylvania counties and reported in surrounding states.

Machine vision system developed capable of locating king flowers on apple trees

January 26, 2023

A machine vision system capable of locating and identifying apple king flowers within clusters of blossoms on trees in orchards was devised by Penn State researchers — a critical early step in the development of a robotic pollination system — in a first-of-its-kind study.

Ag Sciences Global Gear Closet now accepting donations

January 24, 2023

To help ease costs related to preparing for education abroad, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has established the Ag Sciences Global Gear Closet — a resource for students that provides donated items that might be helpful while studying abroad.

Forest Landowners Conference slated for State College on March 24-25

January 24, 2023

Hundreds of landowners, natural resources and forestry professionals, and conservationists interested in forests will gather at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College on March 24-25 to learn how to better care for their woodlands. The fifth biennial Forest Landowners Conference is hosted by Penn State’s James C. Finley Center for Private Forests, Penn State Extension and partners.

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)