Heinz ketchup bottle innovator creates food packaging program endowment

March 2, 2023

After a successful career in food packaging, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences alumnus Doug Peck has committed $200,000 from his future estate to create the Douglas R. Peck Food Packaging Endowment in Food Science. The program endowment will support opportunities and efforts in the Department of Food Science related to food packaging programming.

Wasps harness power of pitcher plants in first-ever observed defense strategy

March 1, 2023

As the saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, turn that tartness into little translucent balls in which to grow your young.” At least, that’s how the saying goes for a tiny insect called a cynipid wasp, whose larvae were recently discovered inducing plant growths called galls that contained acidity levels akin to lemons.

Sending a ‘We Are!’ to these Penn Staters

February 28, 2023

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

Graduate students author textbook on global agriculture and food security

February 28, 2023

"Everyone Needs to Eat: An Introduction to Food Security and Global Agriculture” is an online textbook written by graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. The book is an in-depth examination of the ecological, economic, social, political and technological factors that influence whether a person, community or nation is considered food secure.

NASA program extends research opportunities for underrepresented in STEM

February 27, 2023

The Undergraduate Research Program, which is funded by NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium, Penn State and the National Science Foundation, is an exciting opportunity for underrepresented students to get hands-on research experience early at Penn State.

Penn State Extension to offer free virtual walking program

February 27, 2023

Anyone interested in developing healthy habits and increasing stamina can benefit from a free Penn State Extension virtual walking program called “Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania.” The statewide program will take place from April 10 through June 5. Participation is free, but the deadline for registration is March 27.

New predictive models developed for bacterial diversity of soils

February 27, 2023

A new set of quantitative models that incorporates pH into the metabolic theory of ecology has been developed by an international team that includes Penn State Assistant Professor of Plant Science Francisco Dini-Andreote. The work is included in a new paper published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

Rare insect found at Arkansas Walmart sets historic record, prompts mystery

February 27, 2023

A Polystoechotes punctata, or giant lacewing, plucked from the façade of an Arkansas Walmart by Penn State faculty member Michael Skvarla, is the first of its kind recorded in eastern North America in over 50 years — and the first record of the species ever in the state.  

Webinar series to focus on impact of war in Ukraine

February 24, 2023

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is hosting a webinar series to share on-the-ground perspectives on the war in Ukraine. The presentations will take place on Thursdays from March 16 through May 4 via Zoom.  

Webinar series to focus on impact of war on Ukraine

February 24, 2023

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is hosting a webinar series to share on-the-ground perspectives on the war on Ukraine. The presentations will take place on Thursdays from March 16 through May 4 via Zoom.  

Processing, like fermentation and roasting, doesn’t cut cocoa’s health benefits

February 24, 2023

It is widely believed that when foods undergo processing, their health benefits are reduced. But that is not true for cocoa, according to a Penn State-led team of researchers, who conducted a new study using a mouse model.

Workers moving products in the U.S. food supply chain at high risk of injury

February 24, 2023

Workers tasked with moving products in the immense U.S. food system are at a high risk of serious injury, according to a new Penn State-led study, and pandemic-caused, supply-chain problems have worsened the situation, researchers suggest.

Penn State launches statewide environmental monitoring network

February 23, 2023

Penn State has established a publicly available environmental monitoring network to provide enhanced surveillance of atmospheric and soil conditions across Pennsylvania.

Applications open for City Semester Pittsburgh urban sustainability internships

February 22, 2023

Penn State students interested in a career in sustainability are invited to apply for enrollment in City Semester Pittsburgh, an individualized internship program specializing in urban sustainability facilitated through the Penn State Center Pittsburgh.

Penn State Turf Club nabs 1st place in national competition

February 22, 2023

A team of students from Penn State’s Turf Club recently secured first place in the 2023 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Collegiate Turf Bowl, which was held during the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando.

Social connection key to educational attainment among post-9/11 veterans

February 22, 2023

Post-9/11 veterans who actively participate in veteran centers and veteran-student organizations as they pursue education after military service are significantly more likely to do better in school than those who remain socially isolated, according to Penn State research.  

Penn State Extension beef cattle specialist receives Pa. Dairy Innovator Award

February 21, 2023

Tara Felix, associate professor of animal science in the College of Agricultural Sciences and beef cattle specialist with Penn State Extension, recently received the Pennsylvania Dairy Innovator Award from the Center for Dairy Excellence.

Grant will promote STEM graduate studies for students from diverse backgrounds

February 20, 2023

A consortium of institutions led by faculty in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a $75,000 planning grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation aimed at expanding the recruitment of and opportunities for Black, Indigenous and Latino students to enroll in science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduate programs.

Graduate student in College of Ag Sciences gets USDA-APHIS training fellowship

February 17, 2023

A Penn State graduate student has received a highly competitive and prestigious fellowship from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to participate in its National Scientist Training Program

Diefenbach given national conservation award for his wild turkey research

February 16, 2023

Duane Diefenbach, adjunct professor of wildlife ecology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been given the Henry S. Mosby Award by the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Board approves plan to purchase property to advance agricultural research

February 16, 2023

To advance Penn State agricultural research, the University's Board of Trustees approved a proposal on Feb. 17 to purchase 20.36 acres of land and property in Benner Township, Centre County, near the University Park campus. 

Committee advances plan to purchase property to advance agricultural research

February 16, 2023

To advance Penn State agricultural research, the Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning moved forward a proposal on Feb. 16 to purchase 20.36 acres of land and property in Benner Township, Centre County, near the University Park campus. 

Pa. private forest landowners want to use controlled fire to manage their woods

February 16, 2023

Managers of public forests in Pennsylvania have been using controlled burns to manage state-owned tracts to promote tree species such as oak, reduce the growth of invasive plant species and even reduce tick populations, for more than a decade. Now a study by Penn State researchers indicates that owners of private forest land in the state would like to use prescribed fire to manage their woods, too.

Virtual Symposium Lite designed to complement in-person TLT Symposium

February 15, 2023

Teaching and Learning with Technology will offer a new virtual complement to the TLT Symposium this year. Symposium Lite is a half-day event on March 23, which will feature prerecorded presentations and live discussions.

Free film and panel discussion reveals 'invisible' crisis of the microbial world

February 15, 2023

On Thursday, March 2, Penn State’s Microbiome Center will host a film screening of "The Invisible Extinction," followed by a live scientist question and answer session. Registration for this free event is open now at the State Theatre.

New grant will help empower small farms with sustainable practices

February 14, 2023

The Global Teach Ag Network at Penn State is partnering with the University of Tennessee at Martin on a new project to help empower small-farm owners with sustainable agriculture practices.

Pasto Ag Museum, Penn State Equine Science focus of College Connections series

February 14, 2023

Registration is now open for the next two sessions of College Connections, a monthly webinar series designed to give a unique, inside perspective of the programs, people, priorities and partnerships of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.

Biorenewable systems major selected as a USDA Future Leader in Agriculture

February 13, 2023

Makaila Holston Smith, a junior biorenewable systems major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Future Leader in Agriculture.

Penn State Extension to offer ‘Beekeeping Around the World’ webinar series

February 10, 2023

For those interested in learning about how beekeeping is practiced in different parts of the world, Penn State Extension is offering a free, seven-week webinar series.

Latest edition of Penn State Agronomy Guide released

February 10, 2023

Farm managers, producers and growers on farms of any size looking for the latest, research-based information on crop, soil and pest management can turn to the 2023-2024 edition of the Penn State Agronomy Guide, now available from Penn State Extension.

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)