University fellowships awarded to 110 graduate students

October 10, 2024

The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School at Penn State named 110 graduate students as recipients of the 2024-25 University Graduate Fellowships and Distinguished Graduate Fellowships. The students were honored on Oct. 3 at a reception held at the Bryce Jordan Center.

'Stories from the Field' returns with new sessions for fall 2024

October 9, 2024

Penn State’s “Stories from the Field” conversation series is returning this fall with two new sessions. Topics will include a youth development program that stemmed from a football field revitalization project and a health clinic that provides care in medically underserved areas.

SustainPSU and Pa. GreenGov Council offer sixth annual monthly webinar series

October 9, 2024

Building on their ongoing partnership, Penn State Sustainability (SustainPSU) and the Pennsylvania GreenGov Council will renew their monthly webinar series to educate government officials, students and faculty about sustainability issues that affect Pennsylvania and the progress we as a state are making to address the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Reed to discuss rational addiction to ultra-processed food on Oct. 16

October 9, 2024

Joshua Reed, doctoral candidate in energy, environmental and food economics at Penn State, will give the talk “Rational Addiction to Ultra-Processed Food in the Context of Extreme Consumer Heterogeneity” at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 16, in 157 Hosler Building on the University Park campus. The event is free and open to the public.

New project to support microgreens producers with risk management education

October 8, 2024

Faculty members in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have launched a new project to help agricultural producers tackle the challenges of growing microgreens, fast-growing crops that are popular for their year-round availability and high demand in premium markets.

USDA grant to support summer research experiences for undergraduates

October 4, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently announced an investment of $11.6 million in its Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates program. Among the recipients, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences was awarded a $750,000 grant to support 50 undergraduate students in exploring career opportunities in food science and nutritional sciences.  

USDA to fund analysis of how U.S. businesses approach decarbonization

October 3, 2024

A team of researchers, led by two Penn State agricultural economists, will receive $650,000 over three years to study why, how and where U.S. businesses are developing and adopting renewable energy sources — a process known as decarbonization — and how these decisions could affect rural communities.

Climate change researcher appointed to federal program advisory committee

September 30, 2024

Karen Fisher-Vanden, distinguished professor of environmental and resource economics and public policy in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, has been appointed as a member of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Committee to Advise the U.S. Global Change Research Program.

New project to support, learn from Indigenous communities facing climate change

September 25, 2024

Natural disasters due to climate change have impacted over 2 billion people since the year 2000, with those in Arctic and Pacific communities disproportionally affected. An international team, including researchers from Penn State, has been awarded $1 million to compare climate risks and resilience in Arctic and Pacific Indigenous communities.

Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy seminar series continues Sept. 25

September 24, 2024

Praharsh Patel, doctoral candidate in energy, environmental, and food economics at Penn State, will give the talk, “Behavioral responses to two-part tariffs: evidence from the introduction of volumetric water pricing,” at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 25, in 157 Hosler Building at Penn State University Park.

Nine researchers named Institute of Energy and the Environment Fellows

September 12, 2024

Nine Penn State researchers have been named fellows of the Institute of Energy and the Environment for 2024. The program recognizes and assists the exceptional achievements and unparalleled research impacts of highly successful researchers in the areas of energy and the environment. Nominees for the fellowship were submitted by the University community. 

Quick guide aimed at educating public about Pennsylvania election process

August 29, 2024

With election day quickly approaching, Cristy Schmidt, Penn State Extension applied research educator, recently collaborated with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania to develop a series of educational and messaging materials as part of her work as the association’s Extension fellow.

Nine new faculty join Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute

August 28, 2024

The Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) is welcoming nine new co-funded faculty members to Penn State. By helping to support co-funded faculty members, SSRI also supports interdisciplinary research within the social and behavioral sciences.

College of Ag Sciences faculty, students lauded at annual national conference

August 26, 2024

Several faculty members and graduate students associated with Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recently received awards at the 70th annual North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Conference in Wooster, Ohio.

Program awarded $750,000 to train future educators in global food security

August 22, 2024

A project aimed at helping prepare undergraduate students to serve as future agricultural educators has received $750,000 in renewed funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Penn State students awarded USDA pre-doctoral fellowships for research

August 19, 2024

Ten Penn State students, including nine associated with the College of Agricultural Sciences, have been awarded predoctoral fellowships by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, securing over $1.4 million in total funding.

Bringing health care back to a rural Pennsylvania community

August 6, 2024

Penn State researchers, physicians and medical students came together to start up the LION Mobile Clinic, a mobile clinic providing care to the rural community of Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania.

Grants will provide real-world learning experiences for College of Ag students

July 30, 2024

Penn State's Engaged Scholarship and Experiential Learning Seed Grant Program, offered through the University's Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science, has awarded five teams funding to help students apply skills they are learning in class to meet the needs of an external partner or stakeholder. 

Abler named head of Ag Department of Economics, Sociology, and Education

July 15, 2024

Dave Abler, professor of agricultural, environmental and regional economics and demography, has been appointed head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education at Penn State, effective August 1. 

College of Ag Sciences students explore Italian viticulture with alumni support

July 10, 2024

In May, 21 Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences students, mostly undergraduates, embarked on a unique learning journey to Italy, studying grape growing, vinification and wine marketing.

American diets got briefly healthier, more diverse during COVID-19 pandemic

July 8, 2024

American diets may have gotten healthier and more diverse in the months following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. They published their findings in PLOS ONE. 

Penn State students’ project designed to uplift Nepal and protect wildlife

June 26, 2024

The Himalayan ShePower project, created by graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is designed to help smallholder farmers in Nepal earn extra income by producing paper from rhino waste.

Women may face unique obstacles while seeking treatment for opioid use

June 25, 2024

Women experiencing opioid-use disorders may face unique challenges accessing treatment, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. The study provides new insight into how pregnancy and parenting can make getting medications for these disorders particularly difficult.

High-speed internet linked to more farms offering agritourism

June 25, 2024

The availability and adoption of high-speed broadband appears to boost the number of farms offering agritourism activities, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. Their findings, the researchers said, bolster the argument for expanding broadband availability in support of farm operators who want to benefit from the growing consumer interest in on-farm experiences.

Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference slated for July 10-12 in Lancaster

May 31, 2024

In collaboration with mid-Atlantic organizations working to create and sustain meaningful connections across generations, Penn State will host the Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference July 10-12 at the Holiday Inn in Lancaster. Organizers said attendees and presenters from all states are welcome.

Jeffrey Hyde returns to take the reins for Penn State Extension

May 30, 2024

Jeffrey Hyde, most recently a professor and administrator at Texas A&M University, has returned to Pennsylvania to become director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences. He started in his new role on April 25.

Virtual training may be an effective, cost-efficient option for child educators

May 24, 2024

Teachers and other child educators can benefit from regular professional development, but in-person training can be expensive. In a new study, researchers at Penn State and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that virtual training can be a budget-friendly alternative — and especially effective for certain groups of educators.

Industry fellowship provides real-world experience for doctoral student

May 16, 2024

Xialing Zhao, a doctoral candidate in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, participated in the college's first-of-its-kind summer fellowship pairing Penn State graduate students with industry mentors to help students navigate the transition from academia to careers in industry.  

Many people in the Arctic are staying put despite climate change, study reports

May 9, 2024

A team led by Penn State researchers reviewed studies from the past 30 years to examine whether climate change is causing people to migrate out of the Arctic — or if, and why, they’re deciding to stay. They found that while individuals are not yet relocating due to climate change, at least one whole community has.

Paquette receives academic advising award from College of Agricultural Sciences

May 8, 2024

Charlene Paquette, undergraduate student services coordinator and academic adviser in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, has received the 2024 Community of Advising Excellence Award from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.