Creamery to launch Flavor Madness contest for March

March 16, 2017

This month, Berkey Creamery is launching Flavor Madness, the online tournament to crown the most popular flavor.

Guest lecturer to address 'Big Science, Politics and the Press'

March 15, 2017

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has written for the Los Angeles Times for more than three decades will visit University Park to discuss “Big Science, Politics and the Press" on April 4.

Head Start gets a boost from Penn State program

March 15, 2017

The effectiveness of Head Start in preparing children for elementary school is currently being debated, but in Pennsylvania, the program has benefited from several Penn State initiatives.

Warm winter has put state’s apple crop at risk, expert warns

March 10, 2017

With less than two weeks until the official end of an unusually warm winter in Pennsylvania, the apple crop is in some jeopardy, warns a tree fruit specialist with Penn State Extension.

Energy crop production on conservation lands may not boost greenhouse gases

March 10, 2017

Growing sustainable energy crops without increasing greenhouse gas emissions, may be possible on seasonally wet, environmentally sensitive landscapes, according to researchers who conducted a study on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land.

International agriculture minor offers students global perspectives

March 8, 2017

With global, interdisciplinary coursework and a robust study-abroad program, the international agriculture minor is attracting students from a wide range of majors.

Land-use webinar to focus on how communities manage the impacts of pipelines

March 7, 2017

A webinar on how communities can help their residents better understand and manage natural gas pipeline activity and impacts will be the topic of a Web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension.

Webinar focuses on property values near shale gas sites

March 7, 2017

The findings of studies on how the values of residential property near shale gas/oil extraction sites have changed will be the topic of a web-based seminar to be presented by Penn State Extension.

Have fun learning about invasive species with a new tool from Pennsylvania 4-H

March 6, 2017

Penn State Extension, with funding from the state Department of Agriculture, has created a “fun,” hands-on, interactive curriculum to address the threat of invasive species, to be offered through its Pennsylvania 4-H youth program.

Rural sociology professor chosen for Roy C. Buck Award

March 3, 2017

Brian Thiede, assistant professor of rural sociology, received the 2016-17 Roy C. Buck Faculty Award for his paper, "Climate variability and inter-provincial migration in South America, 1970-2011."

Scientists reveal core genes involved in immunity of honey bees

March 2, 2017

A core set of genes involved in the responses of honey bees to multiple diseases caused by viruses and parasites has been identified by an international team of researchers. The findings provide a better-defined starting point for future studies of honey-bee health, and may help scientists and beekeepers breed honey bees that are more resilient to stress.

Coalition asks Congress for more funding to support agricultural research

March 2, 2017

The head of Penn State’s Department of Entomology is among a coalition that includes top scientists from 11 research universities in Washington, D.C, today (March 2) calling for stronger federal support of the food and agricultural sciences.

Conference report sees farmers playing key role in meeting water-quality goals

March 1, 2017

Because of a new narrative of stewardship, Pennsylvania farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed will be persuaded to look at conservation not as something they have to do but rather something they want to do.

Student Farm Club hosts hydroponic lettuce tasting event on March 13

February 28, 2017

The Student Farm Club at Penn State is partnering with Housing and Food Services as part of National Nutrition Month to host a hydroponic lettuce tasting event, “Expand Your Salad Palate,” in Redifer Dining Commons, South Halls, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 13. The Student Farm Club invites all students, faculty, staff and community members to join them to taste a delicious variety of hydroponic lettuce grown by club members and learn about the nutritional benefits of eating a diversity of fresh, locally grown greens.

Ecologist Eissenstat receives Black Award for research accomplishments

February 28, 2017

David Eissenstat, professor of ecosystem management and woody plant physiology in the College of Agricultural Sciences and chair of the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology at Penn State was awarded the Jessie C. Black Award for Excellence in Research.

Forest Landowners Conference slated in Altoona March 24-25

February 28, 2017

Hundreds of landowners, natural resource professionals and conservationists interested in forests will gather at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona March 24-25 to learn how to better care for their woodlands.

Penn State Master Gardeners to host Home Gardening School on March 18

February 28, 2017

Penn State Extension’s Centre County Master Gardeners will host a Home Gardening School from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 18 at the Forest Resources Building on Penn State’s University Park campus. The Home Gardening School will feature a full day of presentations for both beginning and experienced gardeners.

Penn State in top 10 for Peace Corps volunteers

February 28, 2017

Penn State has once again been recognized among the nation's top producers of Peace Corps volunteers. With 50 undergraduate alumni serving overseas and working in fields such as agriculture, education, environment, health, community economic development and youth development, the University is No. 8 on the Peace Corps' 2017 rankings of colleges and universities in the large school category.

New facility spawns enhancements to Penn State mushroom research

February 23, 2017

New construction and renovations are giving a boost to Penn State research and extension programming related to mushrooms, one of Pennsylvania's top agricultural crops.

Widely accepted vision for agriculture may be inaccurate, misleading

February 22, 2017

"Food production must double by 2050 to feed the world's growing population." This truism has been repeated so often in recent years that it has become widely accepted among academics, policymakers and farmers, but now researchers are challenging this assertion and suggesting a new vision for the future of agriculture.

Vice Provost Blannie Bowen to retire from position leading academic affairs

February 21, 2017

Blannie E. Bowen, Penn State’s vice provost for academic affairs, is retiring on June 30, after nearly 30 years in leadership positions with the University.

Students encouraged to apply for new residential program in urban sustainability

February 21, 2017

Starting in fall 2017, Penn State will launch a new program for students who are interested in helping the cities of today support the world of tomorrow. Study Away Pittsburgh is a 15-credit residential program that provides students with an immersive urban experience while taking classes in person and online. Four information sessions will be held Feb. 23 in the HUB-Robeson Center for students interested in learning more.

Penn State forest economist helping to propel African croton biofuel effort

February 20, 2017

Africa and agroforestry -- defined as agriculture that incorporates the cultivation and conservation of trees -- are in Penn State professor Michael Jacobson's blood, and the combination has helped shape his career. In turn, the forest economist has played an important role in launching a tree-based biofuel initiative that has major implications for the continent and its millions of subsistence farmers.

Researchers, Pennsylvania State Police collaborate on countering opioid epidemic

February 20, 2017

Researchers at the Justice Center, located in Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, are exploring multiple options to combat the increasing rates of drug use. One current project is looking to identify distribution networks for illegal and prescription painkillers (opioids) using data from both the Pennsylvania State Police and individual communities, while another project will investigate ways to disrupt the flow of opioids through targeted police action, public outreach, and community partnerships.

Jeffrey Peters appointed deputy director of Penn State Cancer Institute

February 20, 2017

Penn State Cancer Institute has appointed Jeffrey M. Peters, distinguished professor of molecular toxicology and carcinogenesis in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State, as its new deputy director, following a national search. As deputy director, Peters will catalyze collaborations among cancer researchers across Penn State’s colleges and campuses and help lead the Cancer Institute’s application for National Cancer Institute designation in 2018.

Black History Month Scholar's program highlights faculty research

February 20, 2017

Panelists will share their research in three panel discussions for the Black History Month PSU Scholar’s Program, highlighting scholarship by Penn State faculty members of African descent, this week on Feb. 21 and 22 in Foster Auditorium of Pattee Library on the University Park campus.

Three-way dance between herbivores, plants and microbes unveiled

February 18, 2017

What looks like a caterpillar chewing on a leaf or a beetle consuming fruit is likely a three-way battle that benefits most, if not all of the players involved, according to a Penn State entomologist.

Penn State helps to develop food safety training program in Armenia

February 17, 2017

A program developed by Penn State food scientists is training students in Armenia on food safety practices and procedures, with an eye toward improving the safety of the country's food supply chain — from crop production and processing to packaging, handling, marketing and consumption.

Extension asks produce growers, food and animal feed processors to take survey

February 16, 2017

Pennsylvania produce growers, food processors and animal feed producers preparing to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) can provide Penn State Extension with input -- via an anonymous survey -- that will help guide the development of relevant educational resources. FSMA establishes regulatory practices that produce farmers, food processors and feed manufacturers must adopt to prevent contamination of fresh produce, processed and manufactured human foods, and animal feeds.

Student Stories: Fungi fun -- student discovers love for plant sciences

February 16, 2017

Sara Getson came to Penn State and developed an unexpected academic passion — fungi.

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)