Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES)
An interdisciplinary, science-to-practice platform to study landscape-level challenges
The Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES) establishes a novel environment for accelerating solutions to persistently "wicked" landscape-level challenges centered on agriculture, food, and the environment. The science of agricultural sustainability underpins the mission of SAFES and provides a comprehensive approach to the complexity of challenges which integrates natural and social sciences with technological advancements, human behavior, economics, and policy.
SAFES integrates agriculturally and environmentally related disciplines to develop holistic approaches for tackling "wicked" challenges.
SAFES trains the next generation of researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers in integrating information from across domains and using science-based data for decision making.
SAFES shortens the distance between science and practice by actively connecting biophysical scientists with sociologists, communication scientists and educators. This work is led by the Agriculture and Environment Center through a shared discovery engagement process.
Upcoming Events
NSF Program Opportunities
April 22, 2021
Water Insights Seminar: Identifying and Addressing Pennsylvania’s Water Resources Education Needs Through Extension
April 27, 2021
Water Insights Seminar: Agriculture and Water Quality: Better Results Require Better Policy
May 4, 2021
Latest News
April 19, 2021
Institutes partner to connect researchers with computing resources
The Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES) in the College of Agricultural Sciences has announced a partnership with the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences to help faculty leverage the computing services of the Research Innovations with Scientists and Engineering (RISE) team.
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April 16, 2021
USDA grant to support expansion of online tool for pollinator conservation
A Penn State-led research team has received a nearly $950,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to create the next generation of an online decision-support tool designed to help conserve pollinator populations across the United States.
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April 15, 2021
EarthTalks: Sir Dieter Helm to discuss carbon pricing as tool to reach net zero
Technology is not the only means of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Economics can also supply the needed incentives for individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon footprints. Sir Dieter Helm, professor of economic policy at the University of Oxford and fellow in economics at New College, Oxford, will discuss the need for a carbon price as a means of lowering emissions at a talk at noon on Monday, April 19. The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will be broadcast via Zoom.
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April 7, 2021
Penn State wastewater testing shows potential for future coronavirus monitoring
While most students are aware of Penn State’s walk-up and randomized coronavirus testing, there’s other testing strategies happening beneath the surface of campus. Wastewater testing for the coronavirus has been part of Penn State’s layered testing strategy since before the 2020-21 school year. Starting in July 2020, a team of university professors and experts began sampling wastewater from both on-campus and off-campus areas in State College, according to Heather Preisendanz, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering.
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