College of Agricultural Sciences student named 2025 American Honey Queen

February 26, 2025

Cheyenne Bastian-Brown, a fourth-year agricultural and extension education student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been selected as the 2025 American Honey Queen. During the year, she will promote the beekeeping industry and honey consumption nationwide on behalf of the American Beekeeping Federation.

The complex effects of pesticide exposure on bumble bee health

February 25, 2025

The effects of pesticide exposure on pollinator health may be more complicated than originally thought, according to a team of researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Penn State to establish Animal Diagnostic Lab-West

February 21, 2025

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences received a $6 million state grant to establish a new location for the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System in western Pennsylvania at Penn State Beaver in Monaca.

Simple treatment may reduce inflammation and its side effects in expecting cows

February 20, 2025

Simple strategies can help reduce inflammation and its subsequent side effects in pregnant cows, according to researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Let's hear a 'We Are!' for these Penn Staters — Feb. 19

February 19, 2025

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 20 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Penn State Climate Consortium awards 5 workshops focused on climate solutions

February 19, 2025

The Penn State Climate Consortium has awarded five workshops as a part of its Climate Solutions Accelerator Program to foster impactful research and bring effective climate solutions to communities in Pennsylvania and around the world.

Select corn lines contain compounds that sicken, kill major crop pest

February 19, 2025

The corn earworm causes the loss of more than 76,000 bushels of corn in the United States annually, and there is mounting evidence that increasingly extreme weather events and temperatures will exacerbate the damage done to agricultural output by insect pests. Responding to that threat, a team of researchers at Penn State conducted a study that demonstrated that genetic lines of corn have inherent compounds that serve as insecticides, protecting them from the larvae that feed on them.

Penn State Extension offers live webinar on a heart-healthy diet Feb. 28

February 18, 2025

February is American Heart Month. Penn State Extension will host a webinar designed to help participants learn how to create a heart-healthy eating style for life. “Let's Cook at Home for a Healthy Heart” will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Penn State turfgrass science students succeed at two national competitions

February 18, 2025

Students from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are starting the year out with wins at two turfgrass industry national competitions.

Penn State researchers developing strategies to diminish mushroom phorid flies

February 18, 2025

In southeastern Pennsylvania, where 60% of U.S. mushrooms are grown, phorid flies are posing a threat to the industry, destroying up to 40% of the crop and invading homes. To combat the pest, Penn State researchers and Penn State Extension specialists are working alongside state officials and industry leaders to establish science-based integrated pest management solutions.

Researchers at Penn State developing strategies to reduce mushroom phorid flies

February 18, 2025

In southeastern Pennsylvania, where 60% of U.S. mushrooms are grown, phorid flies are posing a threat to the industry, destroying up to 40% of the crop and invading homes. To combat the pest, researchers at Penn State and Penn State Extension specialists are working alongside state officials and industry leaders to establish science-based integrated pest management solutions.

Penn State turfgrass management students receive record amount of scholarships

February 17, 2025

Students in the two-year Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences achieved a historic milestone this academic year, receiving more than $100,000 in scholarships — the highest awarded in the program’s history.

Ag conservation conference slated for April 1-3 in Harrisburg

February 17, 2025

Individuals working in agricultural conservation can dive into professional development opportunities by attending the “ACAP Ag Conservation Con,” April 1-3 in Harrisburg.  

Growing people and forests: The power of undergraduate research

February 14, 2025

Penn State faculty members Laura Leites and Alex Storm are working to create valuable undergraduate research opportunities that enhance knowledge, facilitate students’ transition between campuses, and strengthen connections with state and federal agencies — all while advancing the study of climate adaptation in forest tree species.

Webinar teaches strategies for keeping your brain and body healthy

February 14, 2025

To help people age as well as possible, Penn State Extension has joined forces with the Alzheimer’s Association to offer the “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body” webinar, using scientific knowledge to explore how lifestyle choices can affect brain and body health during aging.

Webinar series to focus on parenting from pregnancy to age three

February 14, 2025

The first three years of a child’s life bring both joy and stress. To help parents and caregivers meet challenges and give the baby a great start, Penn State Extension’s food, families and communities unit partnered with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State to offer the “Thrive Initiative: Take Root” webinar series.

Learn to spot 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

February 14, 2025

Penn State Extension has teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Association to hold the “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” webinar. Instructors will describe what’s typical with aging and what could be a red flag for Alzheimer’s. The upcoming webinar will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on March 20.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters

February 11, 2025

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 18 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

'Branching Out: The Power of Trees, Forest Ecology and Community Health' March 8

February 10, 2025

At this community event, attendees and panelists will discuss the power of trees to save lives and provide for the future. The panel, featuring two arboretum directors and renowned ecologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large Nalini Nadkarni, will lead guests in envisioning the expansion of tree canopies for resilience in Penn's Woods. 

Sustainable Labs Program increases participant engagement, welcomes new labs

February 10, 2025

Penn State’s Sustainable Labs Program will host two virtual information sessions on Feb. 18 and 21 to provide an overview of the initiative, answer questions and guide prospective participants through the application process.

Degrees in turfgrass tee off second career for Penn State World Campus graduate

February 7, 2025

A need for industry knowledge led Jeffrey Dorn to enroll in the Penn State Turfgrass Science program, offered online through Penn State World Campus, which fit into his new career and family life.

Native bee populations can bounce back after honey bees move out

February 6, 2025

Managed honey bees have the potential to affect native bee populations when they are introduced to a new area, but a study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that, under certain conditions, the native bees can bounce back if the apiaries are moved away.

Washington state joins Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness initiative

February 6, 2025

Washington state has joined a growing list of states that provide resources from the "School Resources to Support Military-Connected Students" initiative — part of the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State — to schools in their state that intend to achieve the prestigious "Purple Star" designation.

Penn State Ag Sciences professor conducts virtual exchange with Latvian University

February 5, 2025

Noel Habashy, assistant teaching professor of international agriculture and development at Penn State, recently completed an Experiential Digital Global Engagement project with students from his course “INTAG 100N: Everyone Eats: Hunger, Food Security and Global Agriculture” and partners from Riga Stradiņš University, Latvia.

Gov. Shapiro proposes $60M in new funding for state-related universities

February 4, 2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed $60 million in new funding for Penn State and its fellow state-related universities — to be distributed through a soon-to-be-developed performance-based funding model — during his 2025-26 budget address, delivered Feb. 4 in the Pennsylvania House Chamber.

College of Agricultural Sciences student selected as Farm Foundation Cultivator

February 4, 2025

Raymond Yan, a fourth-year agricultural and biorenewable systems management student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, represented the University at the January 2025 Farm Foundation Round Table in North Carolina. Yan, one of six students from across the country selected as a "cultivator" by the nonprofit organization Farm Foundation, presented research covering various multidisciplinary projects focusing on food system innovation.

Most cross-bred beef-dairy calves display heartier constitutions than purebreds

January 31, 2025

Many modern dairy farm operations have developed an additional revenue stream by breeding dairy cows with Black Angus beef bulls using artificial insemination to produce crossbred calves, which typically have improved meat quality and higher market value compared to purebred dairy calves. But these valuable hybrid calves often are beset with pneumonia, which was thought to limit their growth performance after they recover.

Penn State Extension to offer free virtual walking program

January 30, 2025

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 April 7 through June 2.

After impactful career, Harper retires from Fruit Research and Extension Center

January 30, 2025

Jayson Harper, director of the Fruit Research and Extension Center in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences since March 2019, retired from Penn State effective Jan. 17. Grzegorz Krawczyk, Penn State Extension tree-fruit entomologist and research professor in the Department of Entomology, has been appointed as the new director.

Annual Global Gallery symposium puts spotlight on global food systems, Feb. 14

January 30, 2025

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and its international agriculture and development dual-title graduate program (INTAD) is inviting members of the Penn State community to explore their “ag love language” at this year’s Global Gallery symposium. The event will occur from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, in 223 HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus.

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)