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.

Assistant professor in College of Ag Sciences, Extension gets early career award

January 23, 2023

Tyler Groh, assistant research professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, has received the 2022 Inspiring Early Career Scientist Award from the American Society of Agronomy’s Environmental Quality Section.

Researchers devise, test food-safety training program for farmers market vendors

January 23, 2023

Responding to a need revealed in their earlier studies, a team of Penn State researchers developed and pilot-tested a customized food safety training program for farmer’s market vendors.

Webinar to focus on running for local office

January 18, 2023

For anyone who has thought about serving on a school board, borough council or township board of supervisors, Penn State Extension will offer a webinar titled “Toss Your Hat in the Ring.”  

Bucknavage appointed to Pennsylvania Food Policy Council Advisory Committee

January 17, 2023

The governor’s office recently named Martin Bucknavage to represent Penn State Extension on the advisory committee of the new Pennsylvania Food Policy Council. Bucknavage is a senior food safety extension associate in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and team lead for industrial food safety and quality.  

Penn State assists Cameroonian refugees with specialty mushroom ventures

January 17, 2023

Specialty mushrooms such as oyster are relatively easy to grow on a small scale, making them attractive to those looking to diversify a farm, engage in a hobby or launch a small business. Research-based information from Penn State Extension about producing specialty mushrooms also may benefit people from a war-torn region of Africa.  

Penn State forest hydrologist receives prestigious award for career-long work

January 13, 2023

David DeWalle, Penn State professor emeritus of forest hydrology, has been awarded the 2023 Warren A. Hall Medal from the Universities Council on Water Resources.

Two College of Ag Sciences faculty among highly cited researchers in 2022

January 12, 2023

Andrew Patterson and Jonathan Lynch in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences were recognized recently as highly cited researchers by the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Group.

Student Farm offers engagement opportunities across campus

January 11, 2023

As a new growing season approaches, the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm prepares for another year of supporting the campus food system.

Center for Socially Responsible AI awards seed funding to 6 projects

January 11, 2023

The Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence recently announced the results of its third seed funding competition. The center awarded $145,000 to advance six interdisciplinary research projects that feature researchers from eight colleges and institutes.

'His Name Is George Floyd' author Robert Samuels to visit University Park

January 10, 2023

Author and award-winning Washington Post reporter Robert Samuels will visit Penn State’s University Park campus on Thursday, Feb. 9, to discuss his book, “His Name Is George Floyd: One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice.”

Land-use webinar to focus on managing vegetation on utility transmission lines

January 8, 2023

Managing vegetation on transmission lines to promote the reliable, safe operation of electric utility transmission and distribution systems will be the focus of a Penn State Extension webinar scheduled for noon on Jan. 18.

Controlled, localized delivery of blood thinner may improve blood clot treatment

January 5, 2023

Heparin has long been used as a blood thinner, or anticoagulant, for patients with blood clotting disorders or after surgery to prevent complications. However, the medication remains difficult to dose correctly, potentially leading to overdosing or underdosing. A team of Penn State researchers combined heparin with a protein fragment, peptide, to slow down the release of the drug and convey the medication directly to the site of a clot.

Loerch retires as senior associate dean in College of Agricultural Sciences

January 3, 2023

Steven Loerch forged an illustrious career as a land-grant animal scientist, teacher, extension specialist and administrator spanning more than four decades. He reflected on his experiences as he approached his retirement as senior associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences, effective Dec. 31.

Some no-till crop rotations on dairy farms could benefit from strategic tillage

December 22, 2022

Many no-till growers are reluctant to implement any soil disturbance due to concerns about negative impacts on soil health. However, a new study by a team of Penn State researchers suggests that plowing fields once after five years in a crop rotation that includes coverage with cover crops and perennials can maintain soil health and provide other benefits.

Indigo Ag creates fellowship to further efforts of Penn State Microbiome Center

December 19, 2022

In support of the Penn State Microbiome Center, Indigo Agriculture created the Indigo Agriculture Graduate Fellowship in the College of Agricultural Sciences through a $200,000 gift, matched 1:1 by the University through the now-concluded Graduate Scholarship Matching Program.

County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania extends Schmidt’s fellowship

December 19, 2022

As Cristy Schmidt, Penn State Extension applied research educator, nears the end of her two-year term as the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania’s Extension fellow, the organizations announced a yearlong extension of her fellowship, moving the end date to Dec. 31, 2023.

Penn State researchers battle food insecurity with native plants cookbook

December 14, 2022

Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have created a cookbook with information about wild food plants, including their nutritional values and recipes for how to cook with them, as a way to address food insecurity.

Corn-colonizing fungus may help the crop repel disease, grow larger

December 14, 2022

A fungus that can colonize, or grow within, corn plants doesn’t just leave the plant unharmed — it also can help the plant stave off harmful bugs and other fungi, according to a new study by Penn State researchers.

New grant looks to biomaterials to help reduce construction waste

December 13, 2022

A new grant from the American Institute of Architects will allow a Penn State-led research team to study whether fungal biomaterials can replace synthetic acoustic insulation, potentially reducing construction waste.

Study examines feeding damage caused by spotted lanternflies on young maples

December 12, 2022

Short-term, heavy feeding by adult spotted lanternflies on young maple trees inhibits photosynthesis, potentially impairing the tree’s growth by up to 50%, according to a new study by Penn State scientists.

Sustainable steps: Penn State student promotes sustainability through fashion

December 12, 2022

The University’s Fashion Society may seem like a fun way to appreciate a passion for fashion, but to Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences student Gabrielle Leach, it’s also a way to promote sustainability and enhance awareness of the impact of fast fashion to consumers.

Registration now open for College Connections webinar series

December 9, 2022

Registration is now open for the first three sessions in 2023 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.

PlantVillage Warrior View awarded $2 million from Google to fight climate change

December 7, 2022

PlantVillage, a Penn State-sponsored project, received a $2 million grant from Google's AI for Social Good program to fund the team’s work to develop accurate maps of dryland landscapes across Africa. This work aims to help communities of African pastoralists in arid drylands to adapt to climate change and restore their lands, ultimately resulting in carbon drawdown for the planet.

Study shows ‘steep, cheap and deep’ roots help corn plants deal with drought

December 7, 2022

Rarely in nature does less turn out to be more. But that’s the case when it comes to the roots of corn dealing with drought conditions, according to a Penn State-led international team of researchers who discovered evidence of the benefits of a “parsimonious” root phenotype in a new study.

Donor brings arts and ag sciences together with Global Teach Ag Network Fund

December 6, 2022

Through a $25,000 gift, Hiram Larew created the Global Teach Ag Network Enhancement Fund, which is designed to enrich the Ag Sciences Global program through support specifically for the Global Teach Ag Network. This annually supported fund will be used to provide professional development for educators, programmatic and staffing support and research for domestic and global initiatives.

College of Ag Sciences minority alumni return to campus, discuss their journeys

December 5, 2022

Four graduates of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently returned to campus to discuss success in class to success in life as guest speakers on a minority alumni panel, hosted by the college’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Alumnus Hunter Swisher named Forbes '30 under 30' for social impact

December 5, 2022

Penn State alumnus Hunter Swisher, founder and CEO of Phospholutions, was named a 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 in the social impact category. The category is described as those who are "leveraging business smarts to save the world."

2020-22 Teaching and Learning with Technology Faculty Fellows reflect on work

December 2, 2022

Eight Penn State instructors from two campuses and six colleges worked in teams with Teaching and Learning with Technology over the past two years as part of the 2020-22 TLT Faculty Fellows program.

Internships earn awards for College of Agricultural Sciences students

December 2, 2022

Twelve Penn State students have been selected as College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society 2022 Internship Award winners. The award, which includes a $1,000 stipend, was established to encourage students to participate in a credit or noncredit educational internship program related to their field of study.

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)