Select microgreens in custom diet may help deliver desired nutrients

August 25, 2023

A diet including a carefully selected assortment of microgreens may help address an individual’s nutritional deficiencies, according to a Penn State researcher who led an international team that evaluated the mineral content in young specimens of many different plant species.

Cover crops project provides fertile ground for USDA graduate fellows

August 23, 2023

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences graduate students received more predoctoral fellowships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture than any other institution over the last five years. This year, five of the 11 recipients worked in the college’s long-term cover crop cocktails experiment.

Curbing cow belches in the name of climate change mitigation

August 21, 2023

A Penn State livestock emissions expert has received a grant from the Greener Cattle Initiative to develop actionable options to mitigate enteric, or intestinal, methane emissions from cattle — which are produced via belching.

Philadelphia soil project signals largely positive findings for urban growers

July 25, 2023

Initial findings from a soil testing project launched a year ago in Philadelphia indicate positive news for urban growers — low levels of contaminants and higher than expected levels of nutrients.

USDA grant funds study of effectiveness of vegetation to curb water pollution

July 20, 2023

At a time when Pennsylvania is actively working to achieve water-quality improvements to meet the state’s obligations for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, a multidisciplinary Penn State research team is studying whether agricultural pollution-prevention devices called riparian buffers are working properly.

Penn State announces faculty recipients of 2023-24 U.S. Fulbright Scholar awards

July 14, 2023

Ten Penn State faculty have received Fulbright Scholar Awards for the 2023-24 academic year, according to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

Researchers to investigate effect of perchlorate in fireworks on drinking water

July 14, 2023

Each year, millions of pounds of fireworks illuminate the skies across the United States, captivating audiences with their dazzling displays. What many people may not realize is that perchlorate, a significant ingredient in fireworks, may pose potential health risks to humans and animals.

Penn State Master Gardeners honored internationally for bee monitoring work

July 12, 2023

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners triumphed at the International Master Gardener Conference held June 18-22 in Overland Park, Kansas, earning first place in the research category of the David Gibby Search for Excellence Awards for their exceptional volunteer work and dedication to bee monitoring. The conference hosted 1,130 Master Gardeners and extension professionals from 44 U.S. states, Canada and England.

Several Penn State labs receive UN-endorsed sustainability certification

July 11, 2023

Fifteen Penn State research labs have earned My Green Lab certifications at one of the three highest levels available: gold, platinum or green. The certification is recognized by the United Nations as a key measure toward the goal of a zero-carbon future. The Penn State Sustainable Labs Program, launched in 2022, piloted the international certification program at the University, and will welcome 25 new research labs from across the commonwealth to participate in the coming academic year. Applications are due on Aug. 10.

A seed survival story: How trees keep ‘friends’ close and ‘enemies’ guessing

June 29, 2023

Around the globe, forests are facing unprecedented challenges. They're grappling with wildfires, diseases, droughts and deforestation. The survival of these great forests hinges on their ability to regrow — and for many trees, a process called "masting" is key to this regeneration.

Penn State hosts international pollinator conference

June 26, 2023

Penn State’s Center for Pollinator Research hosted the 2023 International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health and Policy at University Park from June 3–6. Approximately 250 people from 15 countries, spanning universities, government agencies, industry, non-profit organizations and stakeholder groups, traveled to University Park to attend the conference.

Penn State graduate named 2023 Campus Sustainability Champion

June 21, 2023

Isabella Briseño, a recent Penn State graduate who double majored in environmental resource management and political science, was selected as a 2023 Campus Sustainability Champion by the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium.

New center to promote agricultural conservation in Pennsylvania

June 9, 2023

As part of an ongoing effort to promote soil and water conservation on farms, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has launched the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Strategic city planning can help reduce urban heat island effect

May 25, 2023

The tendency of cities to trap heat — a phenomenon called the “urban heat island,” often referred to as the UHI effect — can lead to dangerous temperatures in the summer months, but a new study conducted by Penn State researchers suggests that certain urban factors can reduce this effect.

Penn State Harrisburg team investigates the cause, impact of Middletown flooding

May 23, 2023

Last summer, on a sweltering July morning, Penn State Harrisburg environmental engineering professor Shirley Clark and two students worked in the yard of the Middletown Area Historical Society on East Main Street.

Fowler named director of Sustainability Institute, chief sustainability officer

May 23, 2023

Lara B. Fowler, teaching professor of law at Penn State Law and researcher with expertise centering on water, energy, agriculture and dispute resolution, has been named director of the Sustainability Institute at Penn State and the University’s chief sustainability officer, effective May 15. Fowler has served in both roles on an interim basis since July 1, 2022.

New study reveals possible future health impacts related to climate mitigation

May 18, 2023

Reduce fossil fuel use and air quality will improve, right? It might not be as straightforward as it appears, according to a Penn State-led research team. They explored almost 30,000 simulated future scenarios and found that some climate mitigation efforts could lead to harmful health impacts in certain geographic areas.

Penn State's renamed One Health Microbiome Center affirms broad expertise

May 15, 2023

The Microbiome Center in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has announced its renaming to the One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC), the first center in the world to integrate "One Health" with the microbiome sciences. The new name reflects the center's collaborative culture and aspirations to write its next chapter in the booming field of the microbiome sciences — the study of microbial communities that live throughout the world's environments.

More research is needed to spread the benefits of electric vehicles equitably

May 13, 2023

Electric vehicles, or EVs, promise to reduce carbon emissions and serve as a tool to help mitigate climate change, but a team of Penn State researchers report there has been little research to determine how equitable the benefits of EVs are and, in fact, whether the technology may unfairly harm some areas and populations.

College of Ag Sciences study-abroad leaders share their knowledge in new book

May 12, 2023

Three global education leaders in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have contributed their expertise to a new book. The trio wrote a chapter in “Sustainable Education Abroad, Striving for Change,” which is part of a book series spearheaded by the national nonprofit, Forum on Education Abroad. The “Standards in Action” series is intended to bridge big ideas and foundational principles in education abroad to the creative approaches and practical tactics that can turn those concepts into reality.

‘Nature is messy': Pioneers in landscape transcriptomics study genes in the wild

May 11, 2023

An interdisciplinary team in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences — in an initiative aimed at better understanding the implications of climate change for animal and plant life and agricultural systems — is focusing on an emerging field of study called landscape transcriptomics.

Analysis of U.S. farms offers clearer, more nuanced picture for policymakers

May 8, 2023

While farms in the U.S. can vary by many characteristics such as size, production scale and the products they produce, Penn State researchers say many agricultural policies are designed with a “one size fits all” approach.

Energy, environmental seed grants awarded to interdisciplinary research teams

May 4, 2023

Nineteen interdisciplinary research teams received funding through the Institutes of Energy and the Environment’s (IEE) Seed Grant Program for 2023. This includes more than 75 researchers who are affiliated with 10 colleges and research units across seven Penn State campuses.

Projects to advance zero-waste water research, solutions

May 3, 2023

A new master agreement with ENOWA, a company tasked with pioneering sustainable energy and water innovations, will support Penn State research efforts in sustainable water solutions. The agreement could see up to $6 million invested into developing much-needed zero-waste water solutions.

Grozinger receives 2023 President’s Award for Excellence Academic Integration

April 12, 2023

Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology, has been awarded the 2023 President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Integration.

Wetlands, water quality in Chesapeake Bay focus of Van Meter NSF CAREER Award

April 5, 2023

From improving water quality to providing a haven for endangered species, wetlands are the unsung heroes of our planet. Wetlands provide a range of critical services, like reducing storm damage and removing excess nutrients, and are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Kimberly Van Meter, assistant professor of geography, received a $644,595 Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the role of wetlands in improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Foundation grant to fund research on reducing methane emissions from livestock

April 4, 2023

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture has awarded a grant to a team in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences to fund research aimed at reducing enteric, or intestinal, methane emissions from cows and sheep, using plant and fungal sources.

Soil nutrients affect how attractive plants are to bees from the ground up

April 4, 2023

Pollination is vital for many plants, and nutrients present in the soil before these plants even sprout may affect how attractive they eventually are to pollinators, according to Penn State-led research.

Squash bees flourish in response to agricultural intensification

April 4, 2023

While pollinator populations of many species have plummeted worldwide, one bee species is blowing up the map with its rapid population expansion. The key to this insect’s success? Its passion for pumpkins, zucchinis, and other squashes, and the massive increase in cultivation of these crops across North America over the last 1,000 years.

First-gen students explore Costa Rica through College of Ag Sciences course

March 31, 2023

Studying abroad can be a transformative experience. However, first-generation college students may face additional challenges and feel that international experiences are out of their reach. A course in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences was created to help first-gen students achieve their travel goals.