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Barbara Christ named interim dean of Penn State College of Ag Sciences

9/24/12

Barbara Christ, senior associate dean and professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named interim dean of the college while a national search for a permanent replacement gets under way. Current Dean Bruce McPheron announced his plans to take on the role of vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, his undergraduate alma mater, in November.

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Novel solutions for subsistence farmers is topic of free lecture

2/6/12

A free public lecture titled "Novel Solutions to Complex Diseases for Subsistence Agriculture" will take place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 11 in Room 100 of the Thomas Building on Penn State's University Park campus. The speaker will be David Hughes, who is an assistant professor of entomology and biology at Penn State.

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Free public lecture series -- 'Food: How to Grow Enough for Everyone'

1/9/12

"Food: Strategies for Growing Enough for Everyone" is the focus of the 2012 Penn State Lectures on the Frontiers of Science, which begins on Jan. 21. This series of six public lectures on consecutive Saturday mornings is designed as a free minicourse for the general public. The lectures take place from 11 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m. in 100 Thomas Building on the Penn State University Park campus. No registration is required.

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Senate Appropriations Committee holds hearing at University Park

9/7/11

Penn State administrators welcomed members of the state Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Jake Corman (R-34), to the University Park campus Sept. 7 for the first of a series of public hearings on the role of the Commonwealth's state-related universities. Corman said the committee wanted to hear testimony from Penn State President Graham Spanier and other University officials on a variety of topics, including the impact of the state budget on the University's operation.

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As colleges move through Core Council process, new ideas emerge

2/24/11

A little over a year ago, a University committee started a process of reviewing academic programs, college-by-college, in response to a strategy in goal #2 of the University strategic plan calling for a consolidation of academic programs through targeted reviews. The committee was charged with identifying new ways to maintain academic excellence, while helping Penn State become a more efficient and effective institution. "The process has been fair, relevant and comprehensive," said Smeal College of Business Dean James Thomas. "There's been strategic relevance in the recommendations. Cutting for the sake of cutting isn't good. There needs to be rhyme and reason for the strategic goals of a college in addition to relevance for the University, and that's what we're seeing in this process."

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Early income-tax filing may not be your best deal

12/10/10

The early bird doesn't always get the worm. Moreover, said a consumer-finance expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, being in a hurry to file your federal income tax forms in pursuit of a quick refund isn't always the best idea. Tax-filers eager to receive their federal income tax refund can use the services of commercial, for-profit tax preparers as early as December and thus get a jump on receiving their refunds. Robin Kuleck, consumer-finance educator and director of Penn State Cooperative Extension in Elk County, points out that using this method can have some drawbacks.

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Young leaders to gather for Pennsylvania's 4-H State Achievement Days

7/23/10

More than 750 youth from across the state will participate in this year's 4-H Pennsylvania State Achievement Days, to be held from Aug. 3 to 5, on Penn State's University Park campus. The annual three-day educational program provides an opportunity for Pennsylvania 4-Hers to demonstrate knowledge gained through participation in the 4-H program.

Penn State ag economist reviews state of PA dairy industry

6/23/10

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding celebrated Dairy Month in Pennsylvania recently with a giant ice cream sundae and praise for the state's dairy industry. An economist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences said that along with the praise, dairy farmers are hoping for a little financial help.

Marcellus shale well accident reinforces need to guard water quality

6/21/10

The recent eruption of a Marcellus shale gas well in Clearfield County, Pa., has triggered investigations by state agencies. A Penn State Cooperative Extension water specialist said it also should remind Pennsylvanians that drilling can impact surrounding water resources, and well owners near any drill sites should take steps to monitor their drinking water.

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Pennsylvania youth make biofuel for 4-H National Youth Science Day

10/2/09

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, youth across Pennsylvania will join hundreds of thousands of young people around the nation to simultaneously create biofuel as part of "Biofuel Blast," the 2009 National Science Experiment scheduled for 4-H National Youth Science Day.

Penn State's 2010 Manure Expo to balance conservation, production

9/25/09

Manure management is a critical issue for livestock operations and has become a priority of conservation and nutrient-management activities. To help manure handlers adopt new technologies and best-management practices, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will host the 2010 Manure Expo, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 15, 2010, at Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs.

Education, self-esteem can help decrease welfare use

4/9/09

If Pennsylvania's divorced single mothers are to decrease their dependence on welfare programs, an enhanced, education-oriented approach to public assistance programs is needed, according to a study conducted by a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

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Study suggests link between agricultural chemicals and frog decline

1/23/09

Around the world, amphibian populations are in decline, and scientists have not been able to figure out why. Now a study of leopard frogs in Pennsylvania has identified a possible culprit, and the ramifications are troubling, according to a Penn State ecologist. Research conducted primarily at Penn State's Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs in the summer of 2007 -- described in a recently published article in the journal Nature -- suggests that chemical pollution can increase often-deadly trematode (parasitic flatworm) infections in a declining amphibian species.

Penn State offers tips on shopping smart for your holiday feast

11/21/08

Family holiday dinners are times to make special memories, but paying for the turkey and egg nog on a tight budget is an experience many would rather forget. An expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says a few helpful hints can help save time and money while shopping for that perfect holiday feast.

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Untitled

Barbara Christ named interim dean of Penn State College of Ag Sciences

9/24/12

Barbara Christ, senior associate dean and professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named interim dean of the college while a national search for a permanent replacement gets under way. Current Dean Bruce McPheron announced his plans to take on the role of vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, his undergraduate alma mater, in November.

Untitled

Novel solutions for subsistence farmers is topic of free lecture

2/6/12

A free public lecture titled "Novel Solutions to Complex Diseases for Subsistence Agriculture" will take place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 11 in Room 100 of the Thomas Building on Penn State's University Park campus. The speaker will be David Hughes, who is an assistant professor of entomology and biology at Penn State.

Untitled

Free public lecture series -- 'Food: How to Grow Enough for Everyone'

1/9/12

"Food: Strategies for Growing Enough for Everyone" is the focus of the 2012 Penn State Lectures on the Frontiers of Science, which begins on Jan. 21. This series of six public lectures on consecutive Saturday mornings is designed as a free minicourse for the general public. The lectures take place from 11 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m. in 100 Thomas Building on the Penn State University Park campus. No registration is required.

Untitled

Senate Appropriations Committee holds hearing at University Park

9/7/11

Penn State administrators welcomed members of the state Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Jake Corman (R-34), to the University Park campus Sept. 7 for the first of a series of public hearings on the role of the Commonwealth's state-related universities. Corman said the committee wanted to hear testimony from Penn State President Graham Spanier and other University officials on a variety of topics, including the impact of the state budget on the University's operation.

Untitled

As colleges move through Core Council process, new ideas emerge

2/24/11

A little over a year ago, a University committee started a process of reviewing academic programs, college-by-college, in response to a strategy in goal #2 of the University strategic plan calling for a consolidation of academic programs through targeted reviews. The committee was charged with identifying new ways to maintain academic excellence, while helping Penn State become a more efficient and effective institution. "The process has been fair, relevant and comprehensive," said Smeal College of Business Dean James Thomas. "There's been strategic relevance in the recommendations. Cutting for the sake of cutting isn't good. There needs to be rhyme and reason for the strategic goals of a college in addition to relevance for the University, and that's what we're seeing in this process."

Untitled

Early income-tax filing may not be your best deal

12/10/10

The early bird doesn't always get the worm. Moreover, said a consumer-finance expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, being in a hurry to file your federal income tax forms in pursuit of a quick refund isn't always the best idea. Tax-filers eager to receive their federal income tax refund can use the services of commercial, for-profit tax preparers as early as December and thus get a jump on receiving their refunds. Robin Kuleck, consumer-finance educator and director of Penn State Cooperative Extension in Elk County, points out that using this method can have some drawbacks.

Untitled

Young leaders to gather for Pennsylvania's 4-H State Achievement Days

7/23/10

More than 750 youth from across the state will participate in this year's 4-H Pennsylvania State Achievement Days, to be held from Aug. 3 to 5, on Penn State's University Park campus. The annual three-day educational program provides an opportunity for Pennsylvania 4-Hers to demonstrate knowledge gained through participation in the 4-H program.

Penn State ag economist reviews state of PA dairy industry

6/23/10

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding celebrated Dairy Month in Pennsylvania recently with a giant ice cream sundae and praise for the state's dairy industry. An economist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences said that along with the praise, dairy farmers are hoping for a little financial help.

Marcellus shale well accident reinforces need to guard water quality

6/21/10

The recent eruption of a Marcellus shale gas well in Clearfield County, Pa., has triggered investigations by state agencies. A Penn State Cooperative Extension water specialist said it also should remind Pennsylvanians that drilling can impact surrounding water resources, and well owners near any drill sites should take steps to monitor their drinking water.

Untitled

Pennsylvania youth make biofuel for 4-H National Youth Science Day

10/2/09

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, youth across Pennsylvania will join hundreds of thousands of young people around the nation to simultaneously create biofuel as part of "Biofuel Blast," the 2009 National Science Experiment scheduled for 4-H National Youth Science Day.

Penn State's 2010 Manure Expo to balance conservation, production

9/25/09

Manure management is a critical issue for livestock operations and has become a priority of conservation and nutrient-management activities. To help manure handlers adopt new technologies and best-management practices, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will host the 2010 Manure Expo, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 15, 2010, at Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs.

Education, self-esteem can help decrease welfare use

4/9/09

If Pennsylvania's divorced single mothers are to decrease their dependence on welfare programs, an enhanced, education-oriented approach to public assistance programs is needed, according to a study conducted by a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Untitled

Study suggests link between agricultural chemicals and frog decline

1/23/09

Around the world, amphibian populations are in decline, and scientists have not been able to figure out why. Now a study of leopard frogs in Pennsylvania has identified a possible culprit, and the ramifications are troubling, according to a Penn State ecologist. Research conducted primarily at Penn State's Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs in the summer of 2007 -- described in a recently published article in the journal Nature -- suggests that chemical pollution can increase often-deadly trematode (parasitic flatworm) infections in a declining amphibian species.

Penn State offers tips on shopping smart for your holiday feast

11/21/08

Family holiday dinners are times to make special memories, but paying for the turkey and egg nog on a tight budget is an experience many would rather forget. An expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says a few helpful hints can help save time and money while shopping for that perfect holiday feast.