Students dig in to help create new value from potatoes

October 26, 2017

Sterman Masser, Pennsylvania's largest potato producer, knows consumers aren't reaching for 5- and 10-pound bags of raw potatoes like they used to, and growing its business means developing new value-added products. So students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are working on finding solutions to this market challenge.

Cacao pioneers: Meet Penn State's Colombian Fulbright Scholars

October 19, 2017

Four new Fulbright Scholars, who arrived at the College of Agricultural Sciences in August, are looking to economics, sociology, and soil and plant science research for ways to put Colombia at the forefront of the world's cacao production. Under the guidance of faculty at Penn State, they will attempt to tackle some of the country's most pervasive issues, from education to production challenges and corruption.

Grad students hope to expand their knowledge at World Food Prize

October 12, 2017

On October 18th-20th, two graduate students, Ilse Huerta Arredondo and Celize Christy, will represent the University at World Food Prize events in Des Moines, Iowa. The symposium correlates with both Ilse's and Celize's research. Celize's research focuses on local traditional knowledge related to the management of poultry diseases in Rwanda. Ilse's research interests are agricultural awareness through non-formal education to promote supportive agricultural policy-making, especially in Mexico.

Ag Sciences student explores global food practices, nutrition

October 9, 2017

Emily Seiger, a community, environment and development major in the College of Agricultural Sciences, is gaining insight into problems related to food safety, hygiene and food security around the world.

Kudos to Dr. Cathy Bowen

October 4, 2017

Congratulations to Dr. Bowen for her research being featured in Penn State News!

Penn State student explores the economic impact of disaster relief in Nepal

October 3, 2017

Kelli Herr, senior in community, environment and development in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, spent her break a long way from home in Thulo Pakhar, Nepal. She worked with a group called All Hands Volunteers, a U.S.-based nonprofit disaster relief organization.

M.E. John Seminar

September 20, 2017

M.E. John Seminar Series with Brian King, Associate Professor of Geography September 29, 2017 2:30-3:30pm 215 Armsby Building

Penn State researcher's work empowers youth to be change agents

August 31, 2017

Ongoing research conducted by Nicole Webster, associate professor of youth and international development in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, examines the role of youth in civic engagement and social change.

New report on farm sales and income graphically shows 'where the action is'

August 22, 2017

Many would argue that bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. But when it comes to the profitability and survival of Pennsylvania farms, size apparently matters, according to a report compiled by economists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Kulcsar tapped to lead Department of Ag Economics, Sociology, and Education

June 14, 2017

Laszlo Kulcsar, professor of sociology and head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at Kansas State University, will join Penn State as head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, effective Aug. 1.

Congratulations Dr. Rama Radhakrishna

May 25, 2017

Dr. Radhakrishna wins "Outstanding Agricultural Educator" award

Faculty member wins prestigious award

May 22, 2017

Congratulations Dr. Leif Jensen

Penn State to launch undergraduate Ag Stewardship and Conservation certificate

May 17, 2017

A new undergraduate certificate program offered by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will give students interested in agricultural stewardship an opportunity for classroom and hands-on learning in the sustainability of agricultural soil and water resources. The Agricultural Stewardship and Conservation Certificate program will provide critical coursework and practical experience that will help make students marketable for jobs in the public and private sector.

Grant aimed at solving agricultural water issues through community engagement

May 17, 2017

A group of institutions led by Penn State has received nearly $2.2 million for the first year of a planned four-year, $5 million project aimed at developing a model for engaging communities and stakeholders to ensure adequate supplies of good-quality water both for and from agriculture. Partners include the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, Arizona State University and the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

United Nations organization renews UNESCO Chair program at Penn State

April 19, 2017

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has renewed for another five years its support for the UNESCO Chair in Rural Community, Leadership, and Youth Development at Penn State. Mark Brennan, a faculty member in the College of Agricultural Sciences, will continue in his role as chair and provide leadership to the program.

Penn State to mentor youth researchers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

April 10, 2017

Encouraging youth to have empathy for others is the goal of a research initiative spearheaded by a graduate student at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Adding grads and going green can brighten economic outlook

April 4, 2017

Attracting college graduates and boosting natural amenities may give communities a double shot of economic growth potential, according to economists. In a study, the share of college graduates — often referred to as human capital — and the quality of life in a community were found to significantly contribute to economic growth, said Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural and regional economics and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.

Faculty member to receive award

March 20, 2017

Congratulations, Dr. Carolyn Sachs

In Pennsylvania, troubles lead some to drugs, others to Trump

March 16, 2017

Luzerne County is nestled in the mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. The county seat, Wilkes-Barre, lies on the edge of the Susquehanna River, which snakes through the region before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay. Ryan Cooper grew up in Wilkes-Barre. It will always be home to the 29-year-old veteran, despite the struggles he's faced here.

Head Start gets a boost from Penn State program

March 16, 2017

The effectiveness of Head Start in preparing children for elementary school is currently being debated, but in Pennsylvania, the program has benefited from several Penn State initiatives.

Rural sociology professor chosen for Roy C. Buck Award

March 13, 2017

Brian Thiede, assistant professor of rural sociology, received the 2016-17 Roy C. Buck Faculty Award for his paper, "Climate variability and inter-provincial migration in South America, 1970-2011."

Rex Warland, Professor Emeritus of Rural Sociology, Passes

January 30, 2017

The Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education is saddened to announce the death of Rex H. Warland, Professor Emeritus of Rural Sociology, early on Sunday morning, January 29, 2017, in Cleveland, Ohio. Rex was on the faculty in Rural Sociology from 1966 until his retirement in 2001. A memorial service is being planned for late Spring, with details to be provided by the family.

From strangers to business partners: Internship plants seeds of collaboration

January 27, 2017

Although Alyssa Gurkis and Hayly Hoch are both students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, they didn’t know each other when they embarked on a 10-week food-system internship last summer with Penn State Extension-Allegheny County. Now they’re close friends, roommates, and collaborators on a food-system project of their own.

Penn State agricultural sciences students excel at National Forage Bowl

January 27, 2017

Representatives from the Penn State Agronomy Club, a student organization in the College of Agricultural Sciences, took first place at the National Forage Bowl competition at the American Forage and Grassland Conference, held Jan. 23-24 in Roanoke, Virginia. The competition requires students to identify forage and weed species and answer questions about many aspects of forages, from seeds to animal health, in a format similar to the popular game show "Jeopardy!"

Project to develop computational tools for coupled human-natural systems

January 11, 2017

A $20 million, five-year project with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) looks to create a state-of-the-art framework of computational tools that will help to assess the impacts of weather-related variability and change. Penn State is one of two lead institutions on the project and will receive half of the funding. Stanford University is the other.