Food safety from farm to fork: Resources for farmers markets vendors

May 11, 2022

As farmers markets kick off this season, vendors and producers may benefit from Penn State Extension educational materials on controlling food safety risks from farm to fork — including a resource guide and an online course.

Existing technologies can help world meet agricultural methane targets by 2030

May 10, 2022

Amid the frequent bad news about climate change, some potentially good news has emerged: Existing technologies, diligently applied, could enable the world to meet the target set for reducing agricultural methane emissions by 2030, say researchers.

Avian flu outbreak exacerbates concerns for farmers’ mental health

May 10, 2022

The devastating outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza that has slammed Pennsylvania’s $7.1 billion poultry industry in recent weeks has caused the loss of nearly 4 million birds in nine commercial flocks in the state. But besides its impact on producers’ bottom lines, avian flu also could affect their mental health and well-being, according to a Penn State Extension educator.

Future of deer management clouded by coming steep decline in hunter numbers

May 10, 2022

Because so many deer hunters are aging out of the sport — and new hunters are not being recruited to replace them — deer management strategies will need to change to manage populations of whitetails in many states, according to Penn State's Duane Diefenbach, one of the leading white-tailed deer researchers in the country.

No sour grapes here: App launches for Pennsylvania grape growers and wine makers

May 9, 2022

Penn State Extension recently launched a new web application, “Cultivars in the Commonwealth,” aimed at empowering grape growers and wine makers throughout Pennsylvania. The app gives detailed information on various cultivars, or types of grapes — e.g., pinot noir or chardonnay — grown across the state.  

Penn State to host national energy and sustainability extension conference

May 6, 2022

Extension natural resources, energy and sustainability professionals from around the country will converge on Penn State's University Park campus May 15-18 for the joint 2022 National Extension Energy Summit and National Sustainability Summit. Hosted by Penn State Extension at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, the event is open to all who have professional interest in learning more about current best practices around sustainability and climate solutions.

Penn State Extension offers farm safety trainings and demonstrations

May 5, 2022

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States, and agricultural emergencies require specialized knowledge and training for first responders. To prepare emergency responders, Penn State Extension offers numerous trainings and demonstrations designed for fire and rescue services, emergency medical services, law enforcement personnel, and farm community members.

New Penn State Extension endowment honors the ‘Siri’ of Lebanon County

May 5, 2022

Volunteers in Lebanon County may benefit from a Penn State Extension award honoring Alletta “Letie” Schadler, a retired extension educator and the first female county extension director in Pennsylvania. The Alletta Schadler Community Service/Engagement Award will provide educational support for a volunteer in the family and consumer sciences program area.

Clearinghouse provides searchable database of evidence-based programs

May 4, 2022

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State has created a Continuum of Evidence to assist individuals in identifying evidence-based programs that can be used to improve the health and well-being of military and civilian families.

Microbiologists get grant to study biofilms guarding foodborne pathogen Listeria

April 29, 2022

Microbiologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received a $605,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study how microbial biofilms protect Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium that causes the deadly foodborne illness listeriosis. 

It's tick season: Learn to protect yourself and your animals with free webinars

April 29, 2022

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease, caused by a tick-borne pathogen, affects more than 400,000 people each year. To educate the public about tick risk and tick bite prevention for people and their animals, Penn State Extension will offer the spring 2022 “Tick Webinar Series.”

Community, Environment and Development Club helps break world record

April 28, 2022

As part of a nationwide Earth Day celebration, members of the Community, Environment and Development Club in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences helped break a Guinness World Record on NBC’s “Today” show.

Center for Private Forests at Penn State renamed to honor founder Jim Finley

April 28, 2022

Penn State and its College of Agricultural Sciences have renamed the Center for Private Forests at Penn State in honor of its founder, the late James C. (Jim) Finley, an outstanding academic scholar and teacher whose pioneering work at the interface of people and forests reached hundreds of thousands of people.

New plant science team gets grants from USDA-NIFA for research on soil microbes

April 28, 2022

An assistant professor in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received $950,000 in two competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lead a team studying interactions between plants and rhizobial soil bacteria, with the long-term goal of boosting forage and crop production while reducing environmental impacts of fertilizer use.

Five Penn State engineering students receive NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

April 27, 2022

The National Science Foundation has selected five current Penn State College of Engineering students as 2022 awardees for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program and one College of Engineering student for an honorable mention.   

Six Penn State engineering students receive NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

April 27, 2022

The National Science Foundation has selected six current Penn State College of Engineering students as 2022 awardees for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program and one College of Engineering student for an honorable mention.   

Penn State engineering students receive NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

April 27, 2022

The National Science Foundation has selected five current Penn State College of Engineering students as 2022 awardees for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program and one College of Engineering student for an honorable mention.   

Student wins award, will present work on water and nutrient management solutions

April 27, 2022

Penn State student Dana Sanchez will advance her interest in environmental education when discussing water and nutrient management solutions for Pennsylvania farms impacting the Chesapeake Bay as a presenter at a national conference.

Penn State hosts in-person STEM activities for Central PA Remake Learning Days

April 26, 2022

Central Pennsylvania’s “Remake Learning Days” are back and in person in 2022 with more than 50 events for students in pre-K through high school, including more than a dozen hosted by Penn State.

Energy, environmental seed grants awarded to 21 interdisciplinary teams

April 26, 2022

The Institutes of Energy and the Environment awarded seed grants to 21 groups of interdisciplinary researchers for the 2021–22 cycle.

SAFES seed funding boosts agricultural research data capabilities

April 25, 2022

Four research teams in the College of Agricultural Sciences have tapped in to the computing and software engineering expertise at the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences' Research Innovations with Scientists and Engineers (RISE) team. Agricultural Sciences faculty are invited to apply for the 2022 SAFES-RISE Seed Grant Program; applications are due May 10.

Penn State’s Mushroom Research Center helps spawn East African farm

April 25, 2022

A scientist from the Mushroom Research Center in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences provided guidance to a mushroom grower in East Africa that helped the grower to overcome infrastructure and production challenges.  

Novel study of small fish in Icelandic waters sheds new light on adaptive change

April 25, 2022

Innovative research showing that populations of a small fish that live in both Iceland’s lakes and marine waters, respond more quickly and differently to predators after they invade freshwater lakes, demonstrating how some animals can adapt rapidly to changes in their environments and may be able to adapt to climate change.

Water researcher Joan Rose to present talk on waterborne diseases April 28

April 25, 2022

Joan Rose, Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at Michigan State University, will present “At the Intersection of Science and Technology Addressing Water Quality and Health” on April 28 as part of the Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science Distinguished Speaker Series.

Penn State researchers support social science through COSSA Advocacy Day

April 25, 2022

Five Penn State researchers recently participated in Social Science Advocacy Day, held virtually by the Consortium of Social Science Associations, to discuss the value of the social and behavioral sciences to issues of importance to policymakers.

PlantVillage Team awarded $1M in Elon Musk XPRIZE Carbon Removal Competition

April 22, 2022

An international team led by David Hughes, founder of Penn State’s PlantVillage project, has been named among 15 milestone winners of the latest round of the XPRIZE and Musk Foundation’s Carbon Removal Competition.

Adding high-flavonoid corn to broiler chickens’ diet may cut intestinal disease

April 21, 2022

The inclusion of a high-flavonoid corn, developed by a Penn State maize geneticist, in the diet of broiler chickens reduced the incidence and severity of a fatal intestinal disorder known as necrotic enteritis.

What does the detection of avian flu mean for Pennsylvania?

April 21, 2022

Pennsylvania is the latest state to report a confirmed detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a commercial poultry flock, leading state officials, industry leaders and Penn State poultry specialists to redouble efforts to contain the virus and educate producers, backyard flock owners and the public about the disease.

COVID-19 impact on gender, agriculture and food systems inspires new book

April 20, 2022

“Gender, Food, and COVID-19: Global Stories of Harm and Hope” is a new book co-edited by Paige Castellanos, Carolyn Sachs and Ann Tickamyer, gender scholars in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

A joyful match: Kidney donor, recipient meet during National Donate Life Month

April 20, 2022

When Bellefonte resident and Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences employee Maureen Stathes learned how many people are waiting for organ transplants, she wanted to make a difference — and she did for Wellsville resident Dwayne Weller.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
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  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News 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)