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.

Global mentoring program builds skills, international connections for students

December 1, 2022

Graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences were offered mentorship through the college’s participation in the Global Challenges University Alliance 2030. The alliance, called GCUA, is a network of more than 15 universities worldwide with a shared vision of contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through international collaboration and research.

New clues about how carbon dioxide affects bumble bee reproduction

November 30, 2022

While a beekeeper puffing clouds of carbon dioxide into a hive to calm the insects is a familiar image to many, less is known about its other effects on bees. A recent study revealed clues about how the chemical compound affects bee physiology, including reproduction.

Penn State Berkey Creamery announces new Salted Caramel Cheesecake flavor

November 30, 2022

The newest flavor from the Penn State Berkey Creamery — Salted Caramel Cheesecake — will be available for a limited time through the end of December. It is the first new flavor created by the creamery since White Out was announced in fall 2018.

Too much of a good thing: Over-supplementation of chickens' diet backfires

November 29, 2022

When it comes to supplementing the diet of laying hens with omega-3 fatty acids to enrich their eggs — making them more heart healthy for consumers — some supplementation is good, but too much is bad for the chickens and can negatively affect their egg production.

New 'Life From All Angles' video features Sally Mackenzie’s epigenetics research

November 22, 2022

The newest episode of "Life From All Angles," a YouTube series produced by the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, highlights the breakthroughs made by Penn State Plant Institute Director Sally Mackenzie in understanding epigenetics and manipulating plants to be more productive.

Experts remind poultry flock owners that avian flu risk remains

November 22, 2022

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which struck Pennsylvania in early 2022, have continued into the fall. And that has prompted poultry experts in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences to emphasize, once again, the importance of sound biosecurity measures for owners of backyard and commercial flocks.

CEDEV program marks 15 years online with World Campus

November 22, 2022

For the past 15 years, the community and economic development program has helped students confront the challenges faced by community economic development practitioners.

Students in College of Ag Sciences course support 'Plant the Moon' Challenge

November 22, 2022

Students enrolled in a course offered by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences this fall explored the possibility of growing food in space as part of NASA’s Plant the Moon Challenge.

'Water, Water, Everywhere!' event set for Dec. 3 at Pasto Agricultural Museum

November 17, 2022

The public is invited to attend “Water, Water, Everywhere!” — an event taking place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Pasto Agricultural Museum in Rock Springs. Registration is free.

Berks center examines how telephone poles can help stop the spotted lanternfly

November 17, 2022

The Penn State Berks Center for the Agricultural Sciences and a Sustainable Environment is studying the role that telephone poles can play in monitoring and eradicating the invasive spotted lanternfly. The center continues to be one of the main research sites surveying effective procedures in the control of the invasive planthoppers through support from both the U.S. and Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, as well as other grant funding.

Ag Sciences student named 2023 National Veterans Leadership Foundation fellow

November 17, 2022

John Buckley, a U.S. Navy veteran and a senior majoring in forest ecosystem management in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, is one of a select number of military-connected students nationwide to be named a 2023 National Veterans Leadership Foundation fellow in recognition of his service and leadership potential.

Muth, Powell, Finley named 2022 Pa. Forestry Association award recipients

November 17, 2022

Allyson Muth, Michael Powell and Linda Finley in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management were honored for their contributions to the conservation of Pennsylvania’s natural resources at the Pennsylvania Forestry Association’s Annual Symposium on Nov. 5.

Penn State Extension expands suite of online landscape skills courses

November 15, 2022

Penn State Extension recently expanded its library of online landscape workforce training courses and is offering newly available bulk pricing to landscape and nursery professionals.

New grant to save lives by funding devices to prevent tractor rollover deaths

November 14, 2022

Farmers in Pennsylvania can get state reimbursement to pay for retrofitting their older tractors with life-saving rollover-protection structures — often referred to as ROPS — aided by a new Penn State program.

Penn State’s 'Stories from the Field' series announces 3rd session

November 10, 2022

Penn State’s “Stories from the Field” conversation series is wrapping up its fall season with a session Nov. 17 featuring Darren Marshall, Southern Queensland Landscapes’ vertebrate pest and wildlife management lead. The session will be via Zoom and is free and open to anyone interested in attending, but registration is required.

College of Ag Sciences student elected secretary of National FFA officer team

November 10, 2022

Jessica Herr, a first-year student at Penn State, has been elected to the National FFA Organization’s officer team as secretary for 2022-23. Herr, who is majoring in agricultural science with a minor in leadership development in the College of Agricultural Sciences, and the other officers were elected in late October during the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.

'Elements of Global Change' presentation to take place Nov. 30

November 10, 2022

A one-hour “Elements of Global Change” presentation and discussion by students in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management will occur at 7 p.m. at Sower’s Harvest Café on Nov. 30.

Faculty in College of Ag Sciences recognized for research achievements

November 8, 2022

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences lauded outstanding accomplishments in research during the college’s inaugural Research Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 25 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

Ramped up: Higher demand for wild leeks has foragers overeager, threatens plant

November 8, 2022

Early spring enthusiasm for ramps — also known as wild leeks — may be causing lower plant yields and threatening communities of the forest herb, according to Penn State researchers.

Penn State to hold second annual Solar Symposium

November 7, 2022

The second annual Penn State Solar Law Symposium, co-sponsored by Penn State Extension and Penn State's Center for Energy Law and Policy, will be held via webinar from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 16.

Latinx Agricultural Network earns national award for uplifting Latino community

November 7, 2022

The Latinx Agricultural Network in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has been lauded nationally for enhancing engagement with and support for Pennsylvania’s Latino agricultural community.

Backlash to racial justice movements may boost risk of high BMI, obesity

November 1, 2022

Penn State research found that Black people who lived in areas where anti-Black Lives Matter sentiments were more common were more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) or obesity.

Penn State student competes to expand sustainable agriculture efforts abroad

November 1, 2022

Penn State student Divya Pant participated in the Miss Nepal North America pageant to help raise awareness of her project Carbon Away, which she founded with the goal of converting waste generated during the agricultural process into energy and fertilizer.

Longtime Ag Sciences donors deepen connection through graduate scholarship

November 1, 2022

Philanthropy often provides an avenue of connection between a donor and an organization, creating and strengthening a relationship that can last for years. For alumnus Mark Saunders and his partner, Lynn Walker, longtime donors to the College of Agricultural Sciences, funding undergraduate scholarships has done just that. To further deepen that connection, Saunders and Walker have committed $250,000 to endow a graduate scholarship.

Fighting fire with fire: Study gauges public perception of prescribed burns

November 1, 2022

Prescribed fires can reduce wildfire risks and support habitat restoration, but to be successful these policies also require public support. A new study may fill in gaps in understanding public perception toward prescribed burns in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic, where these fires are increasingly used. 

'Growing Impact' podcast probes world of cellular agriculture, meat production

November 1, 2022

This month's episode of the "Growing Impact" podcast features Josephine Wee, a food scientist at Penn State with expertise in mycology and fungal biology, whose work with cellular agriculture may provide solutions to some of the challenges of large-scale commercial meat production.

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)