Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Mid-Season Concerns and Weather Station Installation

June 29, 2021

Don Seifrit, Kari Peter, Greg Krawczyk and Rob Crassweller talk about what growers should be keeping an eye on during mid-season development, including the end of periodical cicadas for 2021. They also discuss how one should go about finding a weather station to install on-farm. Special consideration is given to having a station with compatibility to the NEWA system from Cornell University: http://newa.cornell.edu/

Team pitching hemp crop row covers to replace plastic wins Ag Springboard

June 18, 2021

A pair of recent Penn State graduates planning to manufacture and sell crop row covers made of hemp fiber — instead of the typical plastic — won $7,500 toward their venture in the College of Agricultural Sciences’ 2021 Ag Springboard student business pitch contest.

Four honored for commitment to diversity in College of Agricultural Sciences

June 15, 2021

Four individuals have received the 2021 Dr. William Henson Diversity Achievement Award from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, an honor that recognizes distinctive and outstanding teaching, research, extension or creative work that advances diversity in the college.

Graduate student receives British Ecological Society award

June 14, 2021

Caylon Yates, a graduate student in the Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, has been selected as a recipient for the 2020-21 British Ecological Society award.

Yates passes Ph.D. comprehensive exam

June 9, 2021

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Caylon Yates for passing their comprehensive examination.

How virus detectives trace the origins of an outbreak – and why it’s so tricky

June 7, 2021

Professor and virologist Marilyn J. Roossinck discusses how virus detectives trace the origins of an outbreak and why it’s so tricky.

Postdoctoral scholar joins Rosa lab

June 4, 2021

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology welcomes new postdoctoral scholar, Suraj Kar, who joined the Rosa lab last month.

Researchers develop prototype of robotic device to pick, trim button mushrooms

June 2, 2021

Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have developed a robotic mechanism for mushroom picking and trimming and demonstrated its effectiveness for the automated harvesting of button mushrooms.

Startup's recent success tied to Penn State entrepreneurial ecosystem

May 28, 2021

In the past year, State College-based Phospholutions has grown from seven to 20 employees, and recently raised $10.3 million in venture capital funding to support the development and growth of its RhizoSorb soil-enhancement technology across market segments and expand to global markets.

Cutting edge: Clinics at Penn State help citizens, industry solve lawn problems

May 26, 2021

When the grass is not greener on your side of the fence, plant pathologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences may be able to provide the information needed to bring your lawn back to life.

Podcast: Dr. Tree Fruit and Don - Thinning Advice and an Insect Extravaganza

May 21, 2021

Don Seifrit, Kari Peter, and Greg Krawczyk are joined by Dr. Jim Schupp (Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center) for the first time. Dr. Schupp is a pomology professor, and he highlights some of the most important considerations for spring thinning. Greg talks about the complex entomology issues facing PA this spring, and Kari discusses the fire blight concerns facing orchardists.

Penn State announces academic promotions, effective July 1, 2021

May 21, 2021

Penn State announces academic promotions for tenured and tenure-line faculty members at Penn State, effective July 1.

Plant pathology, biogeochemistry graduate student receives Lewis and Clark award

May 19, 2021

Terry Torres-Cruz, a plant pathology and biogeochemistry graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, was selected as a recipient of the 2021 Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research grant.

Postdoctoral scholar joins Crandall Lab

May 13, 2021

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology welcomes new postdoctoral scholar, Eric Larson, who joined the Crandall Lab last month.

Discover More: The Good Viruses

May 13, 2021

Professor and virologist Marilyn J. Roossinck discusses viruses in a recent interview with The Linnean Society of London.

Junior grows seeds of opportunity as student in College of Ag Sciences

May 13, 2021

Kyle Hartmann, a plant sciences major in the College of Agricultural Sciences, found new opportunities at Penn State which started after he joined the Accomplish Program. The peer mentor program helps students moving from other campuses or universities to find resources to successfully acclimate to University Park, the college and the community.

Plant Pathology Association elects new officers

May 11, 2021

The Plant Pathology Association (PPA) elected new officers for the 2021 – 2022 academic year during its May 10 meeting.

Miller Foster promoted to associate teaching professor

May 11, 2021

Melanie Miller Foster has been promoted to the rank of associate teaching professor, effective July 1, 2021.

Podcast discusses new HLB research

May 11, 2021

Podcast, My Ag Life in Citrus, talks with the head of new HLB research project and Professor at Penn State, Yinong Yang.

CRISPR/Cas technology could enable early diagnosis of devastating citrus disease

May 10, 2021

Penn State and U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists have used cutting-edge CRISPR/Cas technology to develop a diagnostic test that could enable early diagnosis of citrus greening, or Huanglongbing, a serious disease that threatens worldwide citrus production, which is valued at roughly $17 billion from the sale of fresh fruit and juices.

Esker promoted to associate professor

May 7, 2021

Paul Esker has been promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure, effective July 1, 2021.

Jiménez Gasco promoted to full professor

May 7, 2021

María del Mar Jiménez Gasco has been promoted to the rank of full professor, effective July 1, 2021.

Islam passes Ph.D. comprehensive exam

April 28, 2021

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Md Tariqul Islam for passing his comprehensive examination.

Innovative platform developed at Penn State monitors pests, predicts problems

April 27, 2021

Scott Isard, an aerobiologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, and his team created an internet-based monitoring and modeling system, the Integrated Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education Cooperative Agricultural Project, that can help growers monitor and anticipate pest problems and take appropriate action before crops are damaged.

Martin successfully defends thesis

April 27, 2021

Phillip Martin successfully defended his thesis on April 23, 2021.

T.A. Toussoun, professor emeritus of plant pathology, dies at 95

April 26, 2021

T.A. Toussoun, professor emeritus in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, died on April 3 at the age of 95.

Postdoctoral scholar joins Esker Lab

April 22, 2021

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology welcomes new postdoctoral scholar, Mladen Cucak, who joined the Esker Lab earlier this month.

Gamma Sigma Delta lauds outstanding College of Ag Sciences faculty, students

April 20, 2021

The Penn State chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the agricultural honor society, recognized Penn State faculty and students during its annual meeting, which was held virtually March 30. Recipients included Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology faculty, Kari Peter and Timothy McNellis, as well as undergraduate student Nicole Dutzman.

Ag Science Magazine Feature: Remote Connection

April 19, 2021

Going fully remote didn't prevent instructors of the popular Fungal Jungle: A Mycological Safari from Truffles to Slime Molds (PPEM 120) course from providing a unique learning experience to students. Gretchen Kuldau and María del Mar Jiménez Gasco provided homebuilt kits for mushroom growing and sent their students into their backyards and parks for hands-on investigation.

Fruit farmers keep wary eye on weather

April 19, 2021

Penn State graduate, Sara Hricko, discusses how the weather affects their 90-acre farm that specializes in apples and peaches.