Penn State agricultural teacher education program receives national award

December 18, 2023

The agricultural teacher education team from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences was lauded by the National Association of Agricultural Educators for exemplary performance and dedication to agricultural education.

Q&A: Why small organisms can make big impacts on climate, emissions

December 15, 2023

Mary Ann Bruns, Penn State professor of soil microbiology and biogeochemistry, co-authored a new report that advocates for greater recognition of the microbial processes involved in methane production and consumption as society seeks solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.

Crab-eating monkey one of Florida’s greatest threats to ecosystems, human health

December 15, 2023

A first-of-its-kind study for North America accumulated a list of potential invasive species for the state of Florida, with 40 species determined to pose the greatest threat to residents’ well-being. One species received the highest possible ranking for likelihood of invasion and threat to human health: the crab-eating macaque monkey.

With the new year, establish new healthy habits with Volumetrics series

December 13, 2023

Anyone interested in managing weight while eating satisfying and nutritious foods can learn about a science-based way to accomplish those goals by attending a six-part Penn State Extension series, “The Volumetrics Weigh of Life: Weight Management Plan,” available as both in-person workshops and webinars. 

Penn State students secure first place at national entomology games

December 13, 2023

A team of Penn State graduate students recently secured first place in the national 2023 Entomology Games, marking the first time a school from the eastern division earned the honor.

Webinar series to focus on boosting financial wellness

December 12, 2023

In January, Penn State Extension will offer a free, three-part webinar series aimed at helping participants boost their financial wellness by tidying financial clutter, making smart food choices, and having effective financial conversations with others.

Penn State Extension offers wide-ranging resources for pesticide applicators

December 8, 2023

Penn State Extension offers a wide variety of tools for those preparing for the state’s certification exams as well as numerous opportunities for certified applicators to earn recertification credits, including a 25% discount on online pesticide recertification courses through March 15.

Announcing Teaching and Learning Technologies Faculty Advisory Committee members

December 8, 2023

Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) has introduced the inaugural Teaching and Learning Technologies Faculty Advisory Committee for the 2023-24 academic year. The committee will play a pivotal role in guiding TLT and University IT in integrating technology into teaching and learning practices at Penn State. 

Berkey Creamery delivers the message: ‘Tradition Never Tasted So Good’

December 8, 2023

As the Penn State Berkey Creamery delivery trucks travel their routes on campus, folks will notice a fresh appearance — vibrant vehicle wraps that embody the creamery’s commitment to delivering quality intertwined with tradition.  

Penn State Honey and Pollen Diagnostic Lab offers pollen identification service

December 8, 2023

The Penn State Honey and Pollen Diagnostic Lab now is accepting honey and pollen samples from researchers and beekeepers who would like to identify the plants at the genus level from which honeybees are collecting nectar and pollen.

USDA grant to support training for beginning farmers in Pennsylvania

December 8, 2023

A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will enable Penn State Extension to offer a program designed to bring together beginning and retiring farmers in Pennsylvania, with an eye toward facilitating the transition of farms from one generation to the next.

Penn State senior aims to create positive impact through agricultural education

December 7, 2023

Senior Brandon Bixler has packed a lot of experiences into his four years at Penn State. From conducting undergraduate research in Nepal to being named a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, Bixler credits the support of faculty in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the agricultural and extension education major with making his journey possible.

Novel tool informs land use and nutrient control in troubled waters

December 7, 2023

In watersheds degraded by runoff of nutrients from farmland, land managers may struggle to pinpoint the best locations to install riparian buffer strips along streams or other pollution-reduction practices, but a new technology devised by Penn State scientists could potentially make the search for those sites easier and less expensive.

Schreyer Institute awards 2023-24 Teaching Transformation and Innovation Grants

December 6, 2023

Seven Penn State faculty earned 2023-24 Teaching Transformation and Innovation Grants from the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence to experiment, test or implement a teaching innovation that addresses an important instructional concern. 

New USDA grant to support graduate reproductive microbiome training program

December 6, 2023

The Graduate Training in the Reproductive Microbiomes program will focus on interactions between the microbiome and animal reproductive cells/tissues in agriculturally important species, including chickens, cows, pigs, as well as insect populations that can devastate livestock health and production.

Helping non-clinical staff identify problematic sexual behaviors among children

December 5, 2023

A Penn State research team partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop an easy-to-use tool to help non-clinically trained staff members, such as classroom aids, lunchroom workers and teachers, identify problematic sexual behaviors so that they can be more immediately addressed.

Fetter named director of the Center for Ag Conservation Assistance Training

December 1, 2023

Jennifer Fetter, Penn State Extension water resources program leader, has been named director of the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training. Fetter has served as the center’s interim director since it was launched earlier this year.

Second season of ‘Farm Stress Real Talk’ podcast now available

November 30, 2023

Season two of a Penn State Extension podcast — “Farm Stress Real Talk” — is now available. The podcast focuses on supporting farmers, farm families and workers in the commercial agriculture industry who are experiencing stress.

NSF program takes environmental resource management student to Montana

November 29, 2023

Second-year student Sylvie Alexander, an environmental resource management major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, spent last summer conducting research on the Flathead Indian Reservation located in western Montana. Her work was sponsored by the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates program.

Lyla June Johnston to talk about Ancient native food systems on Nov. 28

November 28, 2023

Lyla June Johnston, an Indigenous musician, scholar and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages, will delve into the lessons of ancient native food systems on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m. in the HUB Flex Theater and online.

Experience history in full color at the Pasto Agricultural Museum

November 27, 2023

The public is invited to “Dyestuff: Historical Materials of Color,” a hands-on lecture hosted by Penn State’s Pasto Agricultural Museum, which will be held Dec. 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  

Study of sourdough starter microbiomes to boost bread quality and safety

November 21, 2023

People with celiac disease, or intolerance to dietary gluten, may soon have more food options, thanks to an unlikely source: sourdough bread. Sourdough contains less gluten than other breads, making it more tolerable for people with gluten sensitivities. Now, Penn State and Colorado State University researchers are studying whether bacteria in the yeast starter needed to make sourdough bread might help reduce gluten in other bread products.

College of Ag Sciences recognizes faculty, staff for research achievements

November 21, 2023

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences lauded outstanding accomplishments in research during the 2023 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 1 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

Department of Animal Science honors Elkin as distinguished alumnus

November 20, 2023

The Department of Animal Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has recognized Robert G. Elkin, professor emeritus of avian nutritional biochemistry, as its 2023 Distinguished Poultry Science Alumnus.

Don’t face Alzheimer’s disease alone: Penn State Extension offers support

November 20, 2023

As communities observe Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in November, Penn State Extension seeks to remind the public of available resources to support those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Researchers predict climate change-driven reduction in beneficial plant microbes

November 20, 2023

An international team of researchers that includes Penn State faculty has characterized the abundances and distributions of plant beneficial bacteria from soils collected across the globe — and modeled how climate change may impact their numbers in the coming century. They published their findings in Nature Food.

$7M grant funds project to develop new ways to protect mushroom crops

November 16, 2023

A new grant for more than $7 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will fund an upcoming project led by Penn State researchers, who aim to develop new pest management tools for mushroom crops.

Nittany AI Challenge Ideation Workshop set for Nov. 30

November 15, 2023

The Nittany AI Challenge Ideation Workshop: Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability workshop on Nov. 30 will connect students with experts and local nonprofit leaders in agricultural and environmental sustainability to explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to address real-world problems in the field.

Ensuring that your first Thanksgiving feast is food-safe

November 15, 2023

Hosting your first Thanksgiving gathering can be a challenge, whether it is for a party of four or 20. Planning and preparation are key, and as part of that, first-time cooks should be sure to incorporate good food safety practices, according to a food safety expert in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

NASA awards multi-institutional team $1M grant to inform US forest management

November 15, 2023

A research team led by a Penn State ecologist has received a $1 million grant from NASA to integrate satellite data into predictive modeling to anticipate change in recruitment — the process by which new trees emerge — within forests across the eastern United States.  

Media Contacts

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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)