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
Water Insights Seminar: Pathological jurisdiction splitting: the phenomena of jurisdictional waters
October 19, 2021
Zoom
COVID Seed Grant Outcomes Forum #2
October 28, 2021
Zoom
Water Insights Seminar: Irrigation efficiency: Promises, pitfalls and paradoxes
November 2, 2021
Zoom
Thurs. Nov. 11: COVID Seed Grant Outcomes Forum #3
November 11, 2021
Zoom
Latest News
September 29, 2021
Phase 3 Winners of Nittany AiChallenge guided by SAFES Associate Director of Research
Many congratulations to the InsectEye team, who were one of two teams selected for Phase 3 funding in the Nittany AI Challenge!
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September 15, 2021
Urban stormwater study finds little difference between managed, unmanaged flows
At a time when many municipalities are seeking to control urban stormwater by investing heavily in green infrastructure — such as water-quality ponds, infiltration basins, porous pavement and riparian plantings — a new study suggests that these expensive efforts may not have much of an impact.
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September 15, 2021
Software tool that finds spots for water-quality devices will work in Northeast
A computer software package widely used in the Midwest to strategically position riparian buffers and other structures aimed at protecting water quality on agricultural land can be used effectively in the eastern United States, with some limitations, Penn State researchers report in a new study.
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September 13, 2021
Proposals for energy, environment research projects being accepted
The Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE) announced its 2021–22 Seed Grant Program. The funding is intended to foster basic and applied interdisciplinary energy and environmental research that leverages faculty expertise across the University. The deadline to submit proposals is 5 p.m. on Nov. 19.
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