Q&A: Achieving energy literacy through decarbonization research

July 30, 2024

A team of researchers in the Penn State College of Engineering was awarded a five-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to study how undergraduate engineering students learn and develop into energy-literate engineers as they engage with long-term research experiences centered on decarbonization.  

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Week of July 29

July 29, 2024

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.   

Explore the Pasto Agricultural Museum during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15

July 25, 2024

Ag Progress Days is all about modern agriculture, offering a view of the food and fiber industry’s present and future. But visitors to the show can take some time to appreciate its past in a cool, quiet and friendly venue at the Pasto Agricultural Museum.

Hay, don’t miss the Equine Experience at Ag Progress Days!

July 25, 2024

The Equine Experience at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days returns this year with crowd-favorite demonstrations for everyone from casual spectators to avid horse enthusiasts.

Penn State Extension educators recognized with national awards

July 25, 2024

Several Penn State Extension educators were honored by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents at its annual awards program in Dallas, Texas.

Penn State names top alumni volunteers for new fundraising campaign

July 25, 2024

With near-record results in its first year, a new Penn State fundraising campaign will be led by a group of alumni volunteers who bring a broad range of experience and expertise to the effort. The Campaign Leadership Council was announced today by President Neeli Bendapudi.

Lots going on at the Crops, Soils and Conservation Area at Ag Progress Days

July 24, 2024

There will be a lot going on in and around the J.D. Harrington Crops, Soils and Conservation Building at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15. Exhibits and activities will feature crop management, renewable energy, conservation education and planting demonstrations, as well as the signature hay show.

Roger Williams and Karen Magnuson named 2024 Renaissance Fund honorees

July 24, 2024

As Penn State’s Renaissance Fund celebrates its 48th year of recognizing outstanding community members and helping students in need, the Renaissance Fund Committee has announced that alumni, retired staff members, local volunteer leaders, and philanthropists Roger Williams and Karen Magnuson have been selected as the 2024 Renaissance Fund honorees.

Summer internship gives pre-vet students real-world experience

July 23, 2024

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, through its departments of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences and Animal Science, collaborated with VCA Metzger Animal Hospital and Mars Inc. to establish the Penn State-Mars preveterinary student internship.

Penn State alumnus creates scholarship for ag sciences undergraduates

July 22, 2024

Two years after establishing a bequest to create an undergraduate scholarship, Penn State alumnus Lyn VanTassel took steps to begin making an impact now through a five-year pledge early activating his scholarship. The Lyn M. VanTassel Undergraduate Student Scholarship in the College of Agricultural Sciences will be open to all undergraduates of the college, regardless of major or financial need.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Week of July 22

July 22, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 14 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.

Photo gallery: Top pictures from the Penn State Today summer photo contest

July 22, 2024

The top 11 pictures in the summer Penn State Today photo contest, as selected by our editors, are highlighted in this photo gallery.

Ag Progress Days welcomes youngest visitors with kid-friendly events

July 22, 2024

Ag Progress Days is a great way to introduce kids and teens to the wide world of agriculture, and the 4-H Youth Building has a slate of activities planned for youth of all ages on all three days of the expo, Aug. 13-15.

Unearth gardening tips at Ag Progress Days Yard and Garden Area

July 22, 2024

Need expert gardening advice? Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences experts will offer consultations in the Yard and Garden Area during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15.

Penn State tests dairy herd for bird flu in support of state surveillance effort

July 22, 2024

Animal health experts in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have announced that — out of an abundance of caution — they will test the University’s dairy herd for highly pathogenic avian influenza, under a voluntary state testing program.

Emerging tech to be a focus of exhibits during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days

July 22, 2024

Cutting-edge technologies for agriculture and living systems will take center stage in the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs in Centre County.  

Ag Progress Days Family Room focuses on families and communities

July 19, 2024

This year, the Family Room at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days is teaching visitors ways to make time for a healthy lifestyle with a series of fun, interactive exhibits planned by educators from Penn State Extension’s Food, Families and Communities and Pesticide Education teams.

Troy Sutton named Huck Early Career Chair in Virology

July 19, 2024

Troy Sutton, assistant professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, has been awarded a Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Virology.

Q&A: Will H5N1 avian influenza evolve to become more dangerous to humans?

July 19, 2024

H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was first detected in dairy cattle in Texas on March 25 and has since spread to several additional states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed multiple human infections in which the individuals were exposed to infected dairy cattle. Penn State News spoke with Ruth Nissly, assistant research professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, to learn more about how scientists are monitoring the H5N1 virus. 

Penn State professor named to advisory board of National Smell and Taste Center

July 19, 2024

John Hayes, professor of food science and director of the Sensory Evaluation Center in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been appointed to the external scientific advisory board of the newly established National Smell and Taste Center at the National Institutes of Health.

Solar farms with stormwater controls mitigate runoff, erosion, study finds

July 18, 2024

As the number of major utility-scale ground solar panel installations grows, concerns about their impacts on natural hydrologic processes also have grown. However, a new study by Penn State researchers suggests that excess runoff or increased erosion can be easily mitigated — if these “solar farms” are properly built.

ATV hazards to be the focus of Ag Progress Days farm safety demonstrations

July 17, 2024

Interested in exploring safety topics central to the everyday lives of farmers, farm workers and their families? Visitors to the Farm Safety Demonstration Area at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15, can learn about the hazards of all-terrain vehicles and ways to minimize the risk of rollovers.

2024 Volunteer Awards to highlight strength of alumni network

July 15, 2024

In living out the Alumni Association’s mission, affiliate groups and inspiring volunteers give back to their communities, support current and future Penn State students, and unite Nittany Lions across the country and around the world. The seven individuals and 11 groups that comprise this year’s class of Volunteer Award recipients represent the best of Penn State’s alumni volunteers.

Abler named head of Ag Department of Economics, Sociology, and Education

July 15, 2024

Dave Abler, professor of agricultural, environmental and regional economics and demography, has been appointed head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education at Penn State, effective August 1. 

Discovery of a hybrid lineage offers clues to how trees adapt to climate change

July 15, 2024

The discovery of a hybrid population of poplar trees in western Wyoming has provided insight into how natural hybridization informs the evolution of many plant species, according to a team led by Penn State researchers. They also said their discovery, which was published in the journal Molecular Ecology, suggests that genetic exchange between species may be critical for adaptation to environmental change.

General Assembly approves Penn State’s 2024-25 state funding

July 11, 2024

The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed a state budget that maintains Penn State’s general support appropriation at $242.1 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which began July 1. The budget package, which now heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his anticipated signature, includes a funding increase of $4 million (13%) for Pennsylvania College of Technology, level funding of $57.7 million for Penn State Agricultural Research and Extension, and restores line-item funding of $2.35 million for Invent Penn State.

Emerging research areas refocus Institute of Energy and the Environment themes

July 11, 2024

The Institute of Energy and the Environment has revamped its research themes to better align them with the energy and environmental research being done at Penn State and to recognize the importance of community and justice.

Commercial exhibits, field demos are a staple of Penn State’s Ag Progress Days

July 11, 2024

Farmers and others involved in production agriculture looking to explore the latest agricultural goods, services, equipment and technology can find everything they need at Penn State’s 2024 Ag Progress Days.

College of Ag Sciences students explore Italian viticulture with alumni support

July 10, 2024

In May, 21 Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences students, mostly undergraduates, embarked on a unique learning journey to Italy, studying grape growing, vinification and wine marketing.

Animal Diagnostic Lab names new head of virology, molecular diagnostics sections

July 9, 2024

Mathias Martins has been named head of the virology and molecular diagnostics sections in Penn State's Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, effective July 15. Martins will join Penn State from the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in College Station, Texas.

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)