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.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters -- July 9

July 8, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 13 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

American diets got briefly healthier, more diverse during COVID-19 pandemic

July 8, 2024

American diets may have gotten healthier and more diverse in the months following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. They published their findings in PLOS ONE. 

Ag Sciences Global recognized for organizing Gilman seminars on food security

July 8, 2024

The U.S. Department of State has commended the Ag Sciences Global office in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences for its exceptional commitment to organizing the 2024 Gilman Global Food Security Seminar Series.

July 17 webinar to address improving rural communities’ response to homelessness

July 5, 2024

A July 17 Penn State Extension land-use webinar is aimed at equipping planners with the knowledge and tools needed to improve rural communities’ responses to homelessness.

Master Watershed Steward Katie Stanley leverages knowledge in Allegheny County

July 5, 2024

For Katie Stanley, joining the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer program in 2019 was a perfect complement to her day job as an interpretative naturalist for Allegheny County Parks.

Arboretum at Penn State's Pollinator and Bird Garden wins international award

July 3, 2024

The Arboretum at Penn State has been recognized with an international award for sustainable landscape architecture for its Pollinator and Bird Garden. The garden was awarded the A+ International Jury Award for Sustainability for Landscapes by Architizer, an online platform for architects and designers.  

Kulcsár named senior associate dean in College of Agricultural Sciences

July 1, 2024

László Kulcsár has been appointed senior associate dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, effective July 1.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — June 27

June 27, 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. 

Penn State students’ project designed to uplift Nepal and protect wildlife

June 26, 2024

The Himalayan ShePower project, created by graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is designed to help smallholder farmers in Nepal earn extra income by producing paper from rhino waste.

Media Contacts

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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)