Project brings together agriscience educators from U.S., Malaysia

December 7, 2018

Preservice teacher candidates and current teachers from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan learned about agriculture and agricultural education in July as part of the AgEd2Malaysia Human Development Project, a collaborative effort among Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and the Global Agriculture Learning Center at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa.

Go West (in Pa.) to build animal ag

December 4, 2018

To comply with nutrient-reduction goals in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Pennsylvania may want to consider the establishment of animal agriculture operations in the western part of the state, according to a team of Penn State researchers.

Many happy (tax) returns: Penn State assistance program prepping for season

November 28, 2018

November ushers in the holiday season, a time for making lists and checking them twice. Cathy Bowen is preparing too, but the season she is planning for does not evoke visions of sugar plum fairies, eggnog by the fire, or sleigh rides. Quite the opposite, in fact. "Tax season is a time nearly everyone dreads," said the professor of agricultural and extension education and consumer issues in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. "But, it is especially worrisome for those who don't have the resources to seek professional guidance." To help those individuals and families, Bowen established Penn State's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, an Internal Revenue Service-sponsored initiative. Approaching its 15th year, the initiative, which is currently housed in the college's Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education at the University Park campus, provides free tax preparation and electronic filing services to income-eligible taxpayers, including Penn State students, staff and retirees.

A Hokie heart with Lion pride: Virginia Tech alums create ag sci scholarship

November 28, 2018

Describing himself as a “Virginia Tech duck in a lion country pond,” William “Bill” Achor, vice president of York Ag Products in York, Pennsylvania, said creating a scholarship at Penn State was an easy decision. York Ag Products has a history of being generous to Penn State, and Achor wanted to honor a past president —and Penn State alumnus — who was instrumental in his career.

Penn State agribusiness major lands White House internship

November 26, 2018

\Tony Rice, a senior in agribusiness management in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, was one of a select group of students who was given the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain experience in the public-service sector as an intern at the White House and in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Rural American families focus of 26th annual family symposium

November 26, 2018

'According to Penn State researcher Ann Tickamyer, professor of rural psychology, many rural families suffering from poverty have been left behind because of the focus shifting to urban poverty. “Contrary to popular belief, rural families are very diverse and experience extreme poverty. Currently, rural poverty has experienced some improvements on par with urban poverty, however many families are still experiencing joblessness," said Tickamyer.'

Penn State Extension program for beginning farmers wins national accolades

November 20, 2018

With a total economic impact of nearly $136 billion annually, the agricultural industry is essential to Pennsylvania's future. Yet, the farming population is aging, and with 16,000 Pennsylvania farmers projected to retire in the next 10 years, many are wondering who will fill their shoes. Those concerns prompted the creation of a Penn State Extension project aimed at supporting the next generation of farmers -- "Supporting Pennsylvania Farmers in the Start-Up, Re-strategizing and Establishing Years" -- an initiative that recently received an award for excellence from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents during its annual conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Penn State agribusiness students gauge consumer acceptance of robotic lawnmowers

November 5, 2018

Will customers of lawn-mowing services accept robotic, autonomous lawnmowers cutting the lawns at their homes with no human operator nearby? Eichenlaub Inc., an upscale landscape firm in Pittsburgh, is counting on agribusiness management students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences to find out.

Go West for animal agriculture in Pennsylvania

November 5, 2018

To comply with nutrient-reduction goals in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Pennsylvania may want to consider the establishment of animal agriculture operations in the western part of the state, according to a team of Penn State researchers.

Penn State agribusiness major lands White House internship

November 1, 2018

Tony Rice, a senior in agribusiness management in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, was one of a select group of students who was given the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain experience in the public-service sector as an intern at the White House and in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Special Session on Rural Areas in Pennsylvania

October 31, 2018

Stephan Goetz, Professor of Agricultural and Regional Economics and Director of The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, convened a special session on Rural Areas in Pennsylvania for the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association 2018 Annual Conference, Erie, PA, October 15.

Students gain valuable insights at national agriculture conference

October 26, 2018

Three students from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences traveled to Hartford, Connecticut, in September for the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Challenges Facing Rural America Deeply Rooted In Economic And Social Distress, Researchers Say

October 24, 2018

Ann Tickamyer, professor of sociology at Penn State, was one of the presenters at the 26th National Symposium on Family Issues.

Katherine Zipp, Penn State, "Feeling the burn: The optimal timing of prescribed fires for recreational benefits"

October 22, 2018

Study of Northeast food system advances understanding of regional potential

October 18, 2018

After seven years of analyzing a number of consumption, distribution, production, and other aspects of the Northeast U.S. food system, researchers from Penn State and 10 other universities and organizations have made significant gains in understanding the extent to which the region can increase production of certain foods, and potentially better meet the food needs of low-income populations in the locations they studied.

Teams sought to develop innovative research programs using Twitter data

October 17, 2018

"...CSA Director Guangqing Chi, associate professor of rural sociology and demography and public health sciences, says that Twitter data has potential for expanding social science research because it includes a large amount of individual information that is longitudinal and georeferenced...)

The Engagement Tool Project holds Workshop

October 15, 2018

The Engagement Tool project held a workshop on September 12 about teaching public engagement in research at Penn State. Frans Padt explained the showcases they are developing this semester. Speakers included: Mike Zeman (Student Engagement Network), Michele Halsell (The Sustainability Institute),Walt Whitmer (Penn State Extension), Tom Hogan (School of Labor and Employment Relations), and Mallika Bose (Landscape Architecture.)

Chapel intern finds passion for data through summer internship

October 9, 2018

A summer internship at Bates White Economic Consulting opens opportunities for Gregory Mitchell. Mitchell is a Community, Environment and Development major also co-enrolled in the Energy, Environmental, and Food Economics master’s program; both programs are within the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education.

Agribusiness Management Club provides insight into professional world

October 9, 2018

Providing students with a glimpse into the world of business and professional development is the main goal of the Agribusiness Management Club in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. "Our purpose is to help our members excel in their professional and academic lives," said club president Tess McNamara, a junior agricultural science major from Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Alumnae of College of Agricultural Sciences to be honored by peers

October 8, 2018

The National Association of Agricultural Educators has recognized four alumnae of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences for their contributions to agricultural education.

R&D-heavy firms thrive in diverse economies

October 1, 2018

Economists have long studied the economic benefits that result when businesses locate near one another, or agglomerate, and these agglomerations can fall into two different categories, according to Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural and regional economics, Penn State, and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development

Global Teach Ag to receive the Penn State Ag Council Leadership in Action Award for 2018

September 25, 2018

Global Teach Ag has been nominated and chosen to receive the Penn State Ag Council Leadership in Action Award for 2018. This award was created to recognize an organization, group, event, program, activity, strategy, advocacy, etc. that successfully advances leadership in agriculture and/or the future of agriculture in Pennsylvania. The Award will be presented at the Penn State Ag Council Fall Delegate Meeting on October 25, 2018. The mission of the PSU Global Teach Ag! Initiative is to develop capacity in agriscience teachers and agriscience education programs for global impact in food, fiber, and natural resources through youth development and education programming. aese.psu.edu/teachag/global facebook.com/TeachAgPSU

Poor mental health days may cost the economy billions of dollars

September 24, 2018

Featured research by Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural and regional economics, Penn State, and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.

Katherine Zipp, Assistant Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics, was part of a team that received a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for $800,000

September 21, 2018

Katherine Zipp, Assistant Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics, was part of a team that received a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for $800,000 to understand and prevent the spread of invasive species in Pennsylvania and support the efforts of Pennsylvania’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan.

Ag Sciences Career Day, internship program lead to career success

September 7, 2018

As an undergraduate in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Casey Branstetter participated in a unique scholars program, an experience that she said was instrumental in launching her professional career with AgChoice Farm Credit.

Engagement Tool Workshop

August 28, 2018

You are invited for the Engagement Tool workshop on September 12, 2018 from 12-2 PM in the Stuckeman Building Jury Space. Information can be found on http://sites.psu.edu/psuengagementtool

College of Agricultural Sciences names Harbaugh Faculty Scholars

August 28, 2018

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has awarded funding to three individuals and two teams to support the development of innovative curricula under the college's Harbaugh Faculty Scholars program.

Farmer Field School addresses food insecurity, gender inequality in Honduras

August 27, 2018

Researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are among an interdisciplinary team dedicated to elevating Hondurans — especially women — by teaching them how to diversify their farm operations to improve family diet and income, while advancing gender equality.

Research commercialization leader joins College of Agricultural Sciences

August 20, 2018

Maria Spencer has joined the Entrepreneurship & Innovation team in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences as the first John and Patty Warehime Entrepreneur in Residence.

Using social media to solve social problems

August 16, 2018

A National Science Foundation-funded Penn State project will evaluate the accuracy of using Twitter data to represent populations across different demographic groups.