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Agriculture

New Center for Plant Excellence launched

MANHEIM — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Dr.Troy Ott launched the new Center for Plant Excellence on March 21. The initiative is aimed at advancing research, innovation, and business growth in Pennsylvania’s diverse, plant-based ag sector. The center will be led by the PSU Southeast Research Center. “This center will enhance Pennsylvania’s global competitiveness by combining forces with some of our strongest agriculture producers and our world class land-grant university,” said Secretary Redding. ...

Workshop to cover water quality issues with roadside springs

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension will hold the “Water Quality Issues with Roadside Springs” workshop in multiple locations throughout Pennsylvania from April to September. The workshops, which are free to attend, are scheduled for the following dates and locations: • May 21 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Penn State Extension’s Potter County office, 1 N. Main St., Room 216, Coudersport. • June 12 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Penn State Extension’s Centre County office, 420 Holmes Street, Bellefonte. • June 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Penn State Extension’s ...

Learn to evaluate juice and wine quality during May workshop

UNIVERSITY PARK — An upcoming Penn State Extension workshop will cover the fundamentals of juice and wine laboratory analysis through a mix of lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions. The Juice and Wine Laboratory Analysis workshop will occur May 20-21 at the Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building on Penn State’s University Park campus. The event is aimed at winemakers, cellar workers and winery laboratory personnel. Through a blend of lectures and extensive hands-on practice, participants can learn techniques for evaluating juice and wine quality and gain confidence in ...

Extension to offer ‘Honey Bee Breeding Program Design’ course

UNIVERSITY PARK — For those interested in learning about designing breeding programs for honey bees, Penn State Extension is offering the “Honey Bee Breeding Program Design” course. The course is aimed at helping beekeepers decide whether they would like to begin a breeding program and providing the knowledge to get started. Participants will learn: • The benefits of genetic diversity for disease resistance, environmental adaptability and colony productivity. • How to target specific traits during breeding. • Why it is important to include multiple traits in the ...

College of Agricultural Sciences celebrates National Ag Day

UNIVERSITY PARK — On March 18, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and the University Park Undergraduate Association marked National Ag Day, an event designed to recognize and celebrate the many contributions of the agricultural industry. “It was important to celebrate all the ways, big and small, that agriculture sustains us every day,” said Megan Marshall, director of student recruitment and activities in the college’s Office for Undergraduate Education. “One of our goals was to highlight the breadth of the agriculture industry.” Producers, agricultural ...

Cream cheese always a good source of calcium

Hi! I’m Ella Zimmerman, a dairy maid for Juniata County Dairy Promotion. Today, I am going to talk to you about cream cheese. Cream cheese is a food that can be used in a variety of ways. You can spread it on a bagel, cook it in a main meal or enjoy it in a dessert. Just one ounce of ...