College of Agricultural Sciences forest technology wins $10K pitch competition

December 11, 2019

Innovators from the College of Agricultural Sciences upheld a winning tradition recently at the TechCelerator pitch competition hosted by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania. The team was awarded a $10,000 investment for their fledgling enterprise, RealForests. Their victory makes RealForests the sixth team from the college to win one of Penn State’s most prestigious pitch competitions.

Extension offers tools to small-scale, raw-milk cheesemakers for safer products

December 10, 2019

Penn State Extension is now offering free online tools for small-scale cheesemakers to help them develop a food safety system for their facilities and conduct risk assessments of their processes. Printed copies are available for cheesemakers that do not have access to the internet.

Grant to fund workshops on conservation-based forest land estate planning

December 10, 2019

A Penn State project aimed at advancing conservation-based estate planning for forest landowners in two key regions of Pennsylvania is the beneficiary of an $80,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Creamery partners with Housing and Food Services to offer products at campuses

December 9, 2019

This semester, students at three Penn State campuses — Altoona, Hazleton and Behrend — are enjoying more than just Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream at campus dining halls and convenience stores.

Eight will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards in 2020

December 9, 2019

Eight Penn State alumni selected by the Penn State Board of Trustees will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the University's highest honor presented to its alumni.

Impact of animal infectious disease to be focus of conference at Penn State

December 6, 2019

Exploring the emergence, spread and control of animal diseases is the focus of the inaugural Emerging Animal Infectious Disease Conference, scheduled for March 23-25, 2020, at the Wyndham Garden Inn, Boalsburg. The event will be co-hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State’s Center for Security Research and Education.

Novel way to ID disease-resistance genes in chocolate-producing trees found

December 6, 2019

An international team of plant geneticists has identified genotypes in cacao that are resistant to a major pathogen infecting one of the world’s most important cash crops. The findings point the way for plant breeders to develop trees that are tolerant of the disease.

The Arboretum at Penn State to host annual Winter Celebration Dec. 13

December 5, 2019

The Arboretum at Penn State invites the campus and surrounding community to welcome the holiday season at its annual Winter Celebration on Friday, Dec. 13.

NASA Pa. Space Grant accepting graduate research fellowship applications

December 2, 2019

The NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium is currently accepting applications to its graduate research fellowship program. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2020.

Bushmeat may breed deadly bacteria

December 2, 2019

People who eat wildebeests, warthogs and other wild African animals may be at risk for contracting potentially life-threatening diseases, according to an international team of researchers. The team analyzed samples of bushmeat — meat derived from wildlife — in the Western Serengeti in Tanzania and identified several groups of bacteria, many of which contain the species that cause diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis and Q fever.

Fourteen Penn State faculty recognized with lifetime honor

November 26, 2019

Fourteen Penn State faculty members in areas ranging from physics and engineering to entomology and plant science have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society. A lifetime honor bestowed upon members by their peers, a total of 443 individuals are being recognized for their extraordinary achievements in advancing science.

Grant will support expanded use of artificial intelligence for crop health

November 25, 2019

A research team developing artificial-intelligence-based solutions for diagnosing and managing threats to crop health has received a grant to expand the technology to assist more smallholder farmers around the world. Co-led by David Hughes, associate professor of entomology and biology, the team developed a smartphone app that is capable of accurately diagnosing crop diseases without an internet connection.

Student Startups Shine at the Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference

November 25, 2019

The Student Startup Showcase featured Penn State student startups which had participated in the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program’s (PennTAP) Inc.U Competition or Invent Penn State’s Summer Founders program. Each of the student companies received $2,000 to help move their startups forward during the Oct. 3-4 conference, held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.

Forest farms could create market for ginseng, other herbs

November 25, 2019

A transition from wild collection of herbs to forest farming needs to occur in Appalachia to make the opaque, unstable and unjust supply chain for forest medicinal plants such as ginseng sustainable, according to a team of researchers who have studied the market for more than a decade.

International ag expert, Drohan, gives keynote address at conference in Ireland

November 25, 2019

Patrick Drohan, associate professor of pedology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, gave a keynote address at the Catchment 2019 conference in Wexford, Ireland, in early November.

Penn State sophomore finds a future in agricultural education

November 22, 2019

Justin Kurtz’s first encounter with the FFA transformed the way he thought about agriculture, the world and, most importantly, himself. Kurtz, an agricultural and extension education major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, first began working on a farm at the age of 10 in Kent County, Maryland.

Hunt deer despite disease, but be smart, safe, food safety expert counsels

November 21, 2019

The detection of chronic wasting disease in wild deer in several parts of Pennsylvania has some deer hunters wondering whether they should continue with their fall traditions, but a food safety specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences urges them to carry on — but to take precautions.

Much-anticipated Pollinator and Bird Garden underway in Arboretum at Penn State

November 20, 2019

Recent visitors to The Arboretum at Penn State may have noticed a bright blue construction fence surrounding about 3 acres of open meadow between the botanic gardens and the College Heights neighborhood. The fence delineates the future site of the Pollinator and Bird Garden, which will increase the size of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens by about 60%.

New Penn State leadership for AgrAbility PA named

November 20, 2019

Suzanna Windon and Linda Fetzer, of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, have been appointed to leadership roles with the AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians Project, also known as AgrAbility PA.

Penn State Spur Collectors club promotes conservation, community

November 20, 2019

As the first collegiate chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, known as NWTF, the Penn State Spur Collectors club aims to provide opportunities for student hunters to make friends and to enjoy the outdoors, while supporting the national nonprofit’s mission of conservation of the wild turkey.

'Anything worth doing at all is worth doing right'

November 19, 2019

Dr. James H. Carson, a former resident physician at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and Gail Graybill Carson, a 1986 graduate of the College of Agricultural Sciences, have created the Harold J. Carson Memorial Scholarship in the College of Agricultural Sciences to honor James "Jim" Carson’s father, a veteran and dairyman with a commitment to service, quality and excellence.

Extension experts: Risk of spotted lanternfly on Christmas trees is minimal

November 18, 2019

Folks worried that the spotted lanternfly will put a “bah humbug” into their holiday by taking up residence in their live Christmas tree should toss those concerns to the side like used wrapping paper, according to Penn State Extension experts.

Penn State faculty member recognized by dairy and animal science groups

November 15, 2019

Terry Etherton, head of the Department of Animal Science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, received the 2019 Distinguished Service Award at the recent annual meeting of the Northeast Section of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) and the Northeast Branch of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) in Hershey.

Penn State research projects awarded USDA organic agriculture grants

November 15, 2019

Three organic-agriculture projects led by faculty members in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have received grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The funding, totaling more than $1.3 million, was awarded through USDA-NIFA's Organic Transitions Program.

Penn State plant scientist honored with USDA national teaching award

November 14, 2019

Dennis Decoteau, professor of horticulture and plant ecosystem health in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, is among four public university faculty honored by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities with national teaching awards recognizing excellence in agricultural sciences teaching and student engagement.

Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center to stay under Harper's leadership

November 14, 2019

Jayson Harper, who had been interim director of the Fruit Research and Extension Center in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences since March 1, has been named to the post on a standing basis.

Spotted lanternfly vehicle inspections suspended over winter for most employees

November 14, 2019

Penn State employees whose work duties require travel to, from and within the spotted lanternfly quarantine zone in southeastern Pennsylvania now have a brief reprieve from mandatory vehicle inspections. However, while employees will not have to check vehicles during the inactive period, they still are required to inspect equipment and products that were placed outside during the egg deposition period.

Course offers first-generation students the opportunity to study abroad

November 14, 2019

For many first-generation college students, study abroad experiences seem out of reach. However, a new course offered by the Environmental Resource Management program in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences aims to make that aspiration a reality.

World War II paratrooper with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star talks about the war

November 14, 2019

On Dec. 4, 1944, in the jungles of the Philippines during World War II, Penn State alumnus Leon Kneebone, now age 99, found himself leading a platoon of 50 to 60 men on a scouting mission to help locate the Japanese position.

Roush honored as fellow of the Entomological Society of America

November 13, 2019

Rick Roush, dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been elected as an Entomological Society of America Fellow, an honor that acknowledges his outstanding contributions to entomology in research, teaching, extension and outreach.

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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)