University Park, Pa. – Penn State officials, faculty and students Wednesday will welcome Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Robert Casey to the University Park campus. The first-term lawmaker will learn about the latest honey-bee research, visit the Berkey Creamery, interact with students in a class, meet representatives of the Penn State Dickinson School of Law and meet with President Graham Spanier and other Penn State administrators.
Casey will tour facilities where Penn State researchers are investigating the cause or causes of Colony Collapse Disorder, an affliction that has devastated commercial honey bee operations nationwide. The disease has put at risk about $15 billion worth of crops that rely on honey bees for pollination, representing about one third of the nation’s diet. Scientists in the College of Agricultural Sciences have taken a lead role in addressing the problem, which may be caused by a newly discovered virus in combination with environmental chemicals and other stressors.
During a lunch visit to the Berkey Creamery, Casey will tour the ice cream production facilities in the new Food Science Building. The building and creamery, which opened in 2006, house state-of-the-art laboratories and pilot plants that enhance research and student education in support of Pennsylvania’s $22 billion food manufacturing sector.
After lunch, Casey will visit an Agricultural Business Management class, where he will discuss the implications of the 2007 Farm Bill to Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry. Casey serves on the Senate Agricultural Committee.
Following a meet-and-greet session with faculty and students from the law school, Casey will meet with President Spanier, Vice President for Research and Graduate Education Eva Pell and others in Old Main.