College of Agricultural Sciences names 2019 Harbaugh Scholars

August 26, 2019

The latest Harbaugh Faculty Scholars include Julian Avery, assistant research professor of wildlife ecology and conservation.

Forest ecology and physiology professor honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

August 14, 2019

Marc Abrams, professor of forest ecology and physiology and Steimer Professor of Agricultural Sciences in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work.

Student explores urban forestry at internships in Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C.

August 7, 2019

Jess Sourbeer, of Pittsburgh, has found her niche in forestry through internships at both Penn State Extension and Architect of the Capitol, the federal agency in charge of maintaining Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Five added to Student Engagement Network’s Faculty Academy

July 31, 2019

Julian Avery, assistant research professor, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, is among those named as one-year fellow.

Graduate students awarded National Institute of Food and Agriculture fellowships

July 22, 2019

Sarah Isbell and Mara Cloutier, both Penn State graduate students and Microbiome Center researchers, will be supported in their studies by fellowships paid for by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Storer named Distinguished Alumnus for outstanding career, support of students

July 22, 2019

Jack Storer, who earned the bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1950, has another commendation to add to his impressive inventory of achievement: the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the highest honor presented by the University to alumni.

Some green ash trees show some resistance to emerald ash borers

July 3, 2019

Genes in green ash trees that may confer some resistance to attacks by the emerald ash borer express themselves only once the tree detects the invasive beetle's feeding, according to Penn State researchers.

College of Agricultural Sciences junior named Hollings Undergraduate Scholar

July 3, 2019

Jessica Briggs, a junior in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, received the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship this spring.

Ecosystem science head retires after 30-plus years with land-grant universities

June 26, 2019

If Mike Messina has learned one thing from working for land-grant universities in three states for more than three decades, it's something he heard often during his stint with Texas A&M University: "Remember who you came to the dance with."

Professor of wildlife resources honored for lifetime achievement in conservation

June 14, 2019

Margaret Brittingham, professor of wildlife resources in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently received PennFuture’s 2019 Woman of Lifetime Achievement in Conservation Award in recognition of her lifelong work to protect natural resources.

Penn State researchers to boost endangered Chesapeake logperch population

June 11, 2019

As fishes go, the Chesapeake logperch is hardly impressive.

Best oral presentation at the Society for Economic Botany Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio

June 10, 2019

Graduate student Teal Jordan (M.S. Forest Resources) was awarded best oral presentation this past week at the Society for Economic Botany conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Northeastern deer more susceptible to wasting disease than those to the west

June 6, 2019

Some deer are more susceptible to chronic wasting disease that is spreading through herds of white-tailed deer across much of the United States, according to Penn State researchers, who have identified a panel of genetic markers that reliably predict which animals are most vulnerable to the contagious neurological disorder.

Penn State students take a global look at sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica

May 24, 2019

A group of Penn State students explored a different type of classroom when they traveled to the tropics over spring break as part of the embedded course “Environmental Resource Management 499: Costa Rica Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources,” offered in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Eastern forests shaped more by Native Americans' burning than climate change

May 21, 2019

Native Americans' use of fire to manage vegetation in what is now the Eastern United States was more profound than previously believed, according to a Penn State researcher who determined that forest composition change in the region was caused more by land use than climate change.

Native forest plants rebound when invasive shrubs are removed

May 15, 2019

Removing invasive shrubs to restore native forest habitat brings a surprising result, according to Penn State researchers, who say desired native understory plants display an unexpected ability and vigor to recolonize open spots.

Outstanding Alumni Honored

May 7, 2019

Our 2018 Outstanding Alumni were honored at our annual alumni and friends banquet on April 7, 2018, at the Ramada Conference Center in State College, PA.

College of Agricultural Sciences students place in diversity essay contest

May 2, 2019

Three students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have been recognized for their commitment to diversity as winners of the inaugural Undergraduate Diversity Essay Contest, sponsored by the college’s Diversity Coordinating Council.

Penn State DuBois wildlife technology students help to reclaim PA forests

May 1, 2019

A group of wildlife technology students at Penn State DuBois have contributed to reclaiming some area mine land while gaining valuable, real-world lessons. Lecturer in Wildlife Technology Carrie O’Brien took two sections of her class to a site in the Moshannon State Forest in Elk County in late April to help plant trees in a large-scale effort to reforest a 35-acre portion of public ground.

'Right' cover-crop mix good for both Chesapeake and bottom lines

April 29, 2019

Planting and growing a strategic mix of cover crops not only reduces the loss of nitrogen from farm fields, protecting water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, but the practice also contributes nitrogen to subsequent cash crops, improving yields, according to researchers.

Timber 2019 expo spotlights Pennsylvania's forest-products industry

April 26, 2019

Businesses and individuals connected to Pennsylvania's forest-products industry — and anyone interested in sound management of the state's renewable natural resources — can learn about goods, services, best practices and industry trends at the 2019 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition, Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, at Penn State's Ag Progress Days site at Rock Springs.

For real doe? Penn State Deer Research Center brings students closer to wildlife

April 24, 2019

The Deer Research Center provides exceptional opportunities to students by allowing them to gain hands-on experience in animal husbandry and research.

Fulbright grant will support Penn State doctoral student’s research in Zambia

April 24, 2019

Jacob Johnson, a doctoral candidate in forest resources and in international agriculture and development in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has received a Fulbright Study/Research Award.

Soil Judging Team takes 8th at 2019 Nationals; Zemitis in 4th and Rella in 11th

April 23, 2019

The Penn State Soil Judging Team placed 8th at the National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest in San Luis Obispo, California. The contest was held the week of April 14th in the area around Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo and Santa Margarita.

Penn State wildlife and fisheries science senior shines as presenter at meeting

April 22, 2019

Ben Kline, a wildlife and fisheries science major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, recently was celebrated for giving an informative presentation at a professional conference.

Student workers receive hands-on experience with deer at Penn State center

April 5, 2019

Penn State’s Deer Research Center, commonly referred to as “the deer pens,” has been an endearing part of many students’ college experiences since the 1970s, providing a one-of-a-kind opportunity for hands-on learning about one of the state’s most recognizable mammals.

Beth Brantley, Penn State Mont Alto faculty member, to lead arboretum tour during her farewell reception

April 4, 2019

Penn State Mont Alto will host its final Colloquy Series talk of the spring semester on April 10, when Associate Teaching Professor of Forest Technology Elizabeth (Beth) Brantley will lead a tour of the Penn State Mont Alto Arboretum during a farewell reception in her honor from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Heritage Room of The Mill Café.

Invasive round gobies may be poised to decimate endangered French Creek mussels

April 1, 2019

The round goby — a small, extremely prolific, invasive fish from Europe — poses a threat to endangered freshwater mussels in northwestern Pennsylvania's French Creek, one of the last strongholds for two species of mussels, according to researchers.

Avian researcher to present on the survival challenges of cranes

March 28, 2019

George Archibald, author and co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, will describe his life-long work to save cranes from extinction during a free public presentation at 5 p.m. on April 3 in 101 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building on Penn State's University Park campus.

By design: Penn State alumna devotes studies, career to protecting environment

March 26, 2019

An ideal world for Jayne Ulrich is one in which everyone -- from individuals to organizations to governments -- would take an active role in protecting, preserving and restoring the Earth’s natural resources. The graduate of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is doing her part not just personally, but also professionally as an environmental engineer with Mondelēz International, a multinational confectionery, food and beverage company.