Extension volunteer ‘rain barrel guy’ engages youth to protect watersheds

April 22, 2024

For Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer Rich Troscianecki, one of the most rewarding aspects of his role is getting the next generation involved in and excited about watershed management.

College of Ag Sciences faculty, extension leader engage in leadership program

April 22, 2024

Two Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members and an assistant director with Penn State Extension recently furthered their knowledge of leadership principles by completing the LEAD21 leadership development program, a national yearlong program to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension and can navigate an increasingly complex environment to lead more effectively in their current or future leadership positions. 

Kissing bugs, vector for Chagas disease, successfully gene edited for first time

April 22, 2024

New research from an international team, including a Penn State researcher, demonstrates — for the first time — the use of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in kissing bugs and opens the door to research on applied strategies for Chagas disease control.

Grüner veltliner white wine could be the toast of Pennsylvania, study suggests

April 22, 2024

States that are associated with signature varietals of wine can realize an economic benefit — some examples are regions in California linked with zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, Oregon with pinot noir and the Finger Lakes region of New York with riesling. Now, a new study by Penn State researchers suggests that a wine grape called grüner veltliner could potentially do the same for  Pennsylvania.

Landscape architecture professor receives Stuckeman Collaborative Research Grant

April 22, 2024

Stormwater runoff has become one of the leading causes of water pollution in urban environments, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, due to years of cities implementing “gray” infrastructure. Stuart Echols, associate professor of landscape architecture in the Stuckeman School, is working to rectify this with the support of the recently awarded 2024 Stuckeman Fund for Collaborative Design Research Grant for $50,000 over the course of two years.

Planting the seed for a sustainable future

April 20, 2024

For Grace Wills, president of the University’s oldest student-run environmental group, EcoAction, the recent Old Willow replanting is a small piece of her drive in co-leading a much larger initiative to build a sustainable future at Penn State. 

Six Penn State faculty elected to 2023 cohort of AAAS Fellows

April 18, 2024

Six Penn State faculty members in areas ranging from neuropharmacology to computer architecture have been elected to the 2023 cohort of fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. This year, AAAS recognized a total of 502 scientists, engineers and innovators with this lifetime honor, bestowed by their peers, for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.

Project to improve cropping named 2024 Ag Springboard pitch contest winner

April 18, 2024

Penn State students’ entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly at the 2024 Ag Springboard student business pitch contest, which took place in early April in State College. Taking home this year’s first-place award was the team that created CropNSoil, a platform to support international multicropping. Students Kanika Gupta and Kartikey Pandey, both computer science majors in the College of Engineering, and Samuel DeLozier, an agribusiness management major in the College of Agricultural Sciences, received $7,500 to further their project.

Penn State Climate Consortium awards 11 climate action workshops

April 18, 2024

Penn State Climate Consortium announced 11 workshops designed to create and implement climate change solutions through its Climate Solutions Accelerator program.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters -- April 17

April 17, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 13 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

Climate change may affect kinship care patterns in Africa

April 17, 2024

A new study highlights the effects climate change may have on children and social support systems in Africa, a question that has received relatively little attention from researchers and the policy community.

NSF CAREER Award enables Penn State scientist to study new 3D printing materials

April 16, 2024

An agricultural engineer in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is embarking on research to explore using plant-based materials for 3D printing, thanks to support from the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Penn State Extension to host agricultural conservation conference June 4-6

April 16, 2024

Individuals working in agricultural conservation can dive into professional development opportunities by attending the “ACAP Ag Conservation Con,” June 4-6 at Toftrees Golf Resort, located at 1 Country Club Lane in State College.

Type of plastic film on high tunnels can filter sunlight, influence plant growth

April 16, 2024

High-tunnel growing systems, sometimes called hoophouses, have gained popularity for their ability to enhance growth conditions and extend the growing season of horticultural crops. Now, a team led by Penn State researchers has demonstrated that growers can select various plastic film coverings on the structures — depending on their desired light-filtering properties — to protect plants and enhance their health.

Probiotic feed additive boosts growth, health in poultry in place of antibiotics

April 12, 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly serious threat for public health, and the use of antimicrobials in livestock feed has been a major contributing factor in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance to many drugs, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Led by Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes, a Penn State research team conducted a study of natural feed additives that are promising alternatives to substitute for antimicrobial growth promoters.

Webinar to address community engagement, equitable development

April 12, 2024

Communities are sustainable and equitable when residents play a meaningful role in the deliberations, discussions, decision-making and implementation of projects or programs affecting them, according to Penn State Extension educators, who will host a webinar addressing community engagement, capacity building and equitable development.

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences honors outstanding alumni

April 12, 2024

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently honored three of its alumni with 2024 Outstanding Alumni Awards: Vijay Nandula, Shah Chowdhury and Hunter Swisher.

'Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool' to digitize crop nutrient management

April 12, 2024

A nationwide team of agricultural scientists, including researchers at Penn State, has launched a decision aid that provides an unbiased, science-based interpretation of soil test phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization, with an eye toward potentially saving farmers millions of dollars annually while reducing excess nutrient losses to the environment.

Spring ‘Night at the Museums’ event will be held on Thursday, April 25

April 11, 2024

The Penn State Museum Consortium will hold the spring 2024 "Night at the Museums" on April 25. Participating museums on the University Park campus will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. This is a chance for students, staff, faculty and the community to visit a variety of unique and interesting museums across campus. Admittance to the museums is free and open to the public.

Ag Science alumna uses her experiences at Penn State to open equine business

April 11, 2024

After graduating from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in community, environment and development, and minors in international agriculture and anthropology, Gillian Warner opened Warner Equine out of Tadpole Lane Farm in Pennsylvania Furnace in 2022.

Yellow-eyed grasses may have more insect visitors than previously thought

April 11, 2024

A team led by Penn State researchers published the first documentation of arthropods that visited yellow-eyed grasses in Guyana, a South American country where species of the plant are most diverse.

Immersion experience offers lessons for aspiring agriscience teachers

April 11, 2024

Sarah Beaver could have opted for a beach getaway for spring break. Instead, the first-year student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences dedicated her time to imparting lessons on global citizenship to high school students in Houston, Texas.

Three Penn Staters earn national Goldwater Scholarships

April 10, 2024

Penn State undergraduates Nate Carey, Bridget Reheard and Mabel Tong have earned the 2024 Goldwater Scholarship, a national award that recognizes undergraduates who show exceptional potential as leaders.

College of Ag Sciences recognizes students, faculty for exceptional achievements

April 8, 2024

During its annual meeting on April 3, the Penn State chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the agricultural honor society, honored faculty and students from the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Size of salty snack influences eating behavior that determines amount consumed

April 5, 2024

The size of an individual snack piece not only influences how fast a person eats it, but also how much of it they eat, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. With nearly a quarter of daily calorie intake in the United States coming from snacks, these findings may have implications for helping people better understand how eating behavior impacts calorie and sodium intake. 

Forty graduate students honored with prestigious University awards

April 4, 2024

Forty Penn State graduate students were named recipients of Penn State’s most prestigious annual graduate student recognition awards, administered by the Graduate School in collaboration with several Penn State units.

Forty graduate students honored with prestigious University awards

April 3, 2024

Forty Penn State graduate students were named recipients of Penn State’s most prestigious annual graduate student recognition awards, administered by the Graduate School in collaboration with several Penn State units.

Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters -- Week of April 1

April 2, 2024

As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 13 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.   

College of Ag Sciences recognizes graduate student excellence during ceremony

April 2, 2024

Graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences were lauded for their achievements during the 2024 Graduate Student Award Celebration, hosted by the Office for Research and Graduate Education and held March 20 on the University Park campus.

Stuckeman students connect with Pa. community to revitalize waterfront area

April 2, 2024

Upper-level Penn State architecture students in a directed research studio with Lisa Iulo, associate professor and director of the Hamer Center for Community Design in the Stuckeman School, worked collaboratively with the community in Warren, Pennsylvania, last semester to co-design solutions for the city's waterfront and business district. 

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)

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)