Penn State Extension offering online courses to train landscaping employees

January 6, 2021

Penn State Extension is offering a suite of online courses — developed with the support of the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association — designed to help landscape companies educate new and seasonal employees and help more experienced employees move into leadership roles.

Live town hall, webinars highlight Penn State programs for virtual Pa. Farm Show

January 4, 2021

An online, town-hall-style event featuring the dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and the secretary of the state Department of Agriculture will highlight Penn State programming during the 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show, which will be held virtually Jan. 9-16. Penn State Extension also will offer 29 live webinars during the virtual show.

Discovery of chemical clue may lead to solving cacao's black pod rot mystery

December 23, 2020

The finding of relatively high levels of the antimicrobial compound clovamide in the leaves of a disease-resistant strain of cacao has significant implications for breeding trees that can tolerate black pod rot, according to Penn State researchers who conducted a novel study.

Researchers investigate an at-home 'scratch-and-sniff' test for COVID-19

December 22, 2020

A self-administered "scratch-and-sniff" test for COVID-19 may be around the corner, according to researchers at Penn State, the University of Florida and Arizona State University. The team, which received $912,000 from the National Institutes of Health, will analyze two different smell tests with a goal of developing inexpensive, at-home tests to help identify new cases of COVID-19 and provide a warning sign of a community outbreak in time to thwart it.

Course grows professional skills, networks for College of Ag Sciences students

December 22, 2020

A new pilot course, “Agricultural and Extension Education 597: Innovation and Critical Thinking Practicum,” offered by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, provides the opportunity for students to gain real-world experience and to cultivate relationships with professionals in their desired career field.

Study: Bumble bees lacking high-quality habitat have higher pathogen loads

December 21, 2020

Bumble bees found in low-quality landscapes — characterized by a relative lack of spring flowers and quality nesting habitat — had higher levels of disease pathogens, as did bumble bees in areas with higher numbers of managed honey bee hives, according to research led by Penn State scientists.

Penn State and UTADEO faculty partner to support rural development in Colombia

December 18, 2020

The Water-Energy-Food Nexus Colombia seed grant program has announced the selection of three research projects led by faculty from Penn State and Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano (UTADEO), in Bogotá, Colombia, to support research and development work with three departments in Colombia.

Indigenous Knowledge center bibliography published by Libraries Open Publishing

December 17, 2020

Penn State University Libraries’ open access imprint, Libraries Open Publishing, recently launched a new digital bibliography, the Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Rural Development Bibliography.

Bradley J. Cardinale named head of Department of Ecosystem Science & Management

December 16, 2020

Bradley J. Cardinale, professor and director of the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, has been named head of Penn State's Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, effective Jan. 4, 2021.

Penn State botanists get state grant to study ginseng in Pennsylvania

December 16, 2020

Two Penn State botanists have received a grant from Pennsylvania to study wild ginseng population genetics, morphology and human influence through seed planting in the state.

'Windows of opportunity' crucial for cutting Chesapeake nutrient, sediment loads

December 14, 2020

The vast majority of nutrients and sediment washed into streams flowing into the Chesapeake Bay are picked up by deluges from severe storms that occur on relatively few days of the year. That is the conclusion of a new study led by Penn State researchers, who say it offers clues for cleaning up the impaired estuary.

Scientists examine potential economic impact of spotted lanternfly in PA

January 15, 2020

If not contained, the spotted lanternfly potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually and cause the loss of about 2,800 jobs, according to a study carried out by economists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Media Contacts

Chuck Gill
  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
Amy Duke
  • Associate Director of Communications
Jeff Mulhollem
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
Katie Bohn
  • Science and News Writer
Alexandra McLaughlin
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)
Sean Duke
  • Marketing/Communications Specialist

Media Contacts

Chuck Gill
  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
Amy Duke
  • Associate Director of Communications
Jeff Mulhollem
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
Katie Bohn
  • Science and News Writer
Alexandra McLaughlin
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)
Sean Duke
  • Marketing/Communications Specialist