Experience Ag Science-FINALrev

EXPERIENCE

AgSciences
at PENN STATE
Why
AgSci?
Hands-on
experience
learning
what
you love

AG SCIENCES STUDENTS LEARN IN PENN STATE’S LABS, BARNS, GREENHOUSES, AND GARDENS.

Plant Science major Jennifer Halterman (standing) and Ag and Extension Education major Evelyn Zaleski cared
for plants and worked with professional landscapers during an internship at Penn State’s renowned Arboretum.

Experience AgWShcyi?
Ag Sciences
80%
There are so many things that make the of our students
College of Agricultural Sciences special. complete an internship
One is the role that agriculture played in during their undergrad
founding the University. career.
In 1855, Penn State was called “The

Richard Roush (left), Farmers High School of Pennsylvania.” This
dean of the College of institution became the first in the nation to
Agricultural Sciences; offer a baccalaureate degree in agriculture.
Jean Lonie (center), Our students are proud to be a part of the
director of student first college at Penn State. Whether you are
recruitment and on ‘Ag Hill’ at University Park or at a Com-
activities; and monwealth Campus, studying agriculture at
Tracey Hoover (right), Penn State connects you to this tradition.
associate dean But don’t think for a minute that we only
for undergraduate look back! The innovations and advances
education in agricultural sciences happening now at
Penn State – and the ones we look forward
to in the future – are what give us our great- AgSci
est sense of achievement. L AB
As part of this college, you will be on the
cutting edge of innovations in environmen-
tal resource management, food science,
veterinary medicine, plant sciences, global
health, engineering, community develop-
ment, and education. You will learn with
leading faculty members and researchers
and apply your new knowledge through
hands-on activities in any of our 23 majors.
  As a Penn State grad, you’ll have many
opportunities to take what you’ve learned
and turn it into a bright future.
Get to know the College of Agricultural
Sciences at Penn State, and see if this is the
right academic home for you. Then take the
next step and apply!

Contact Us: Ava Witter, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences senior
and Schreyer Honors student from Monroeville, Pa.,
thinkagain.psu.edu interned at the Animal Diagnostic Lab on Penn State’s
campus.
814-865-7521 Interns at the ADL learn how to perform testing for
diagnostic, surveillance, and research purposes.
[email protected]

1 VISIT US THINKING ABOUT A FUTURE IN THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES?
We’d like to meet you. Come visit us at the University Park campus.
Schedule a time at agsci.psu.edu/futurestudents/visit

Find Ag sciences students don’t just work hard in the
Your
WELL-ROUNDEDclassroom—they succeed outside of academics, too!
Fit The choices for extracurricular events are
nearly endless at Penn State—from competitive
With more than 40 clubs and student organi- sports to art, philanthropy, and more.
zations to choose from within the college, you
are sure to meet friends, peers, and mentors ~
who can help you learn and have a great time Students in the Penn State chapter of the
doing it! Joining a club lets you explore your national organization MANRRS (Minorities
interests and participate in meaningful activ- in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related
ities to enhance your Penn State experience. Sciences) which introduces minorities to the diversity of educational and
career opportunities available in agriculture, natural resources, and related
sciences and promotes interaction between students, professional members,
and other organizations and institutions.

Growth and Change ~
What do farms, feminism, Josh Van Wyk, Animal Science major and Agribusiness Management
and the future have in common? and more women and minorities will be minor ’16, is active in the Air Force ROTC and training to serve as a U.S. Air
stepping up. People outside can see that they Force pilot upon graduation.
All three will bring big challenges and great opportunities, accord- don’t have to be born into this.”
ing to Hattie Henderson. The Penn State senior envisions a world | Cara McDonald,
where new techniques, tools, and thinking will transform the farm- Home-Grown Success Community, Environ-
ing industry. ment, and Develop-
Henderson is a farmer, farmhand, and student who has created a Henderson’s work in farming entrepreneur- ment ’15, has been
successful farming operation, along ship and as a fresh face for female farmers working with Haitians
with her cousin, on a family prop- in poverty since she
erty. She’s also trying to change is gaining traction nationally was 15 and was award-
perceptions of women’s roles in as well. ed the Rock Ethics
agriculture and conventional agri- Recently, she was recog- Award for her efforts.
culture’s role in our food system. nized for her efforts as one
Henderson, from New Flor- of 100 “visionaries” honored 5
ence, Pennsylvania, double ma- through the Farm Credit 100 reasons to
jored in Animal Science and Fresh Perspectives search. ~ choose the
Agribusiness Management and Selected by a panel of Teddy Chase, Animal Science and Pre-Vet ’17, college of
studied marketing to prepare to experts on rural matters, has played Penn State soccer since her freshman ag sciences
run her own business. “I like the including Farm Credit year. In 2015, Chase was recognized as a Big Ten
idea that I’m my own boss,” she leaders and others from the Distinguished Scholar and helped the team win $2.5
says. It allows her to explore an- agriculture industry, Hen- the NCAA Women’s National Championship.
imal and crop production on her derson was deemed among million
own farm, using innovations she “the best of the best” who ~ in scholarship
finds interesting. are positively shaping what Rychele Stipcak, Plant Science ’16, has dollars support
One practice that appeals to is next for rural communi- been a majorette in the Penn State Blue Band the college’s
Henderson is growing corn and ties and agriculture. for four years. undergraduate
soybeans together, for example. Or Withthegoaltofarm
she might have horses and goats full-time and expand into new students
graze together, because goats will crops and new sales locations
eat weeds that horses won’t. She’s over the next five years, the 40+
particularly interested in keeping farm stand operation will in-
an eye on new science coming out of agricultural research. “Scien- clude produce, eggs, crafts, and student clubs,
tific advancements are what allow us to produce more food with other locally-sourced products organizations, and
fewer resources,” she explains. like mushrooms. Henderson plans to imple-
Another of Henderson’s goals is to change the way people look at ment a farm-to-table concept, creating less teams
agriculture. That means helping to shift attitudes in the agricultur- distance between the farmer and the consumer in the college.
al industry and popular imagination about who can be a farmer. and improving public understanding of agri-
One of the biggest challenges is to change the public’s general per- culture. The operation, Catawba Trail Farms, is 84%
ception of gender roles in the industry. “There’s an idea that farmers fully conventional, and customers are invited to
are men, and the woman’s only role is as the farmer’s wife,” she said. learn how it is run and to put faces to the people of students
“We’re the ones running the operation, doing ‘the man’s job.’” who produce their food. graduate in four
Henderson notes that she hopes the work she has done will in- “My goal is to create an innovative and
spire other young people to pursue their dreams and to be success- cutting-edge farm on my family’s property years or less.
ful in the agriculture industry. that I can use to promote and educate,” said
“I think the future of agriculture is very promising, but there also Henderson. “I want to show people that 94%
will be a change in the faces of agriculture,” she say. “With an aging farmers are not just old men in overalls on
population of farmers, young people are coming into the industry, tractors, that conventional farming tech- of students
niques are safe, and that farmers are people participate in an
who care about the food they produce.” outside-the-class-
room learning
program/activity.

184

students studied
abroad in

29 countries
last year.

SAVING THE WORLD

with science
Solving some of the most important prob-
17 lems of the future—threats to our environ- ~SySTEMic Action in their superhero roles as scientists and educators.
ment, finding clean and sustainable sources The team chose a superhero theme to resonate with their target audi-
majors of energy and food, and more—will fall to a ence—kids. Each member is drawn as a sci-fi character with a cool
new generation of scientists. An interdisci- outfit representing their roles in STE[A]M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics)—animal
Agribusiness plinary group of graduate students worked scientist, entomologist, chemist, extension educator, and plant biologist. In addition, it reflects the team members,
Management together to create a team, SySTEMic Ac- minorities, in the roles they are trying to help children envision for themselves.
tion, that communicates with budding sci-
Agricultural and entists through comics. and embody the mantra of “each one, teach one.” “‘Each one, teach one’ is an African American proverb that says that
Extension Education Rachelle Copeland, Jasmine Dillon, as we have new experiences, it is our responsibility to give back and teach another person what we learned,” Echols
Kayla Echols, Maurice Smith, and Saun- explains. “We are looking forward to seeing what the future brings for not only SySTEMic Action, but other groups
Agricultural Science dra Wheeler are inspired by the potential advocating for inclusion and equity.”
and need for diversity in fields related to
Animal Science science and agriculture. “We are living in
a time where greater visibility of scientists
Biological Engineering from various backgrounds is needed to di-
versify the types of students interested in
BioRenewable STEM,” says Echols. “Some groups are un-
Systems derrepresented and that means the STEM
workforce is missing out on thousands
Community, of unique perspectives on approaches to
Environment, and solving some of our most wicked problems.
Diversity includes not only race and gender,
Development but also sexual orientation, socioeconomic
status, and where a person was raised.”
Environmental The group originated as contestants
Resource Management in Ag Springboard­—an entrepreneurship
competition within the College of Ag Sci-
Food Science ences. The members pitched an educational
STEM comic book featuring minorities
Forest Ecosystem as scientists, engineers, and other power-
Management ful figures to inspire children and young
adults of all backgrounds to pursue STEM
Immunology and vocations. The group plans to expand their
Infectious Disease product line to reach even more students

Landscape Contracting 2+2=Success 50%

Toxicology Karoline Kent had a seamless transition from high school into of Ag Sciences students
her college career. At the Berks Commonwealth campus, Kent start their education
Turfgrass Science is majoring in Animal Science with minors in agribusiness and at a campus other
equine science. than University
Veterinary and At Berks, Kent is involved with the equestrian team and the ag- Park
Biomedical Sciences riculture club. “Starting my college education at the Berks campus
allowed me to take my required general education classes while “I got to know many Penn Staters through my service to 4-H, including the dean of the
Wildlife and remaining at home and saving money,” she says. College of Agricultural Sciences and many Penn State Extension employees and volun-
Fisheries Science On the weekends, she is able to drive to her grandparents’ horse teers,” she says.
farm in Delaware to care for her horse, and also help at a crop farm
Plant Sciences in Harrisburg. “I also enjoy the smaller class sizes at Berks,” she
notes.
For a complete list Kent will transfer to University Park in spring of 2017, after she
of programs and completes her remaining general education credits at Berks this
options, visit fall. “As much as I like Berks, I am looking forward to my transfer
to University Park as well,” she says, citing her enthusiasm to take
thinkagain.psu.edu animal science and business classes.
Last year, in her role as president, Kent led 4-H State Council
meetings in the Agricultural Sciences & Industries Building on the
University Park campus and designed the “Pennsylvania 4-H” page,
which is printed monthly in the Lancaster Farming newspaper.

GLGOOBINAGL Why

The College of Ag Sciences AgSci?
at Penn State believes in
Last year more than
empowering global scholars.
In 2015-16, more than 180 ag sci- $29,000
ences students studied abroad in was provided
31 different countries. The college in study abroad
funding.
provided 11 embedded courses.
moroccoa letter from
Senior Erika Kraus is following her community development experience by interning at an NGO for wom-
passion of working in agriculture around en’s rights, where I taught English. I also learned about the large agri-
the world. The Community, Economics, cultural sector in Morocco through a Globalization of Morocco course
and Development major is minoring in and spent a weekend in the Mid Atlas Mountains visiting and learning
International Agriculture and French and from nomad communities and herb cooperatives in a small village.
recently completed a semester-long trip to “Embracing the different culture I was immersed in pushed me to
Morocco. Kraus explains what led her to learn past barriers of language, religion, socio-economic class, and
Morocco and how it has affected her per- education. We can learn most from those who are different from us.
spective on the role of agriculture at home After it all, we realize that we are all similar—we are human beings
and abroad. on this earth. And we all deserve to live a fulfilling life, free of hunger
and poverty.
“With a strong passion for international “We can combat global issues by turning to agriculture. This is an
development, I crave chances to visit other invaluable lesson, which I will carry into all of my future endeavors.
countries, experience their cultures, and learn After graduation, I hope to work with the Peace Corps doing agricul-
about their communities. Being awarded a tural development, or work abroad with NGOs in rural communities
Foreign Language and Area Studies under- in the fight against hunger and poverty by developing and strength-
graduate fellowship through the U.S. Dept. of ening agriculture in those rural areas.
Education for Arabic studies, I had the oppor- “My time in Morocco prepared me for my future service in the in-
tunity to study abroad in Rabat, Morocco. ternational sphere, fueled my passion for international development,
“I spent 4 months studying and gaining and expanded my capacity for learning about other cultures.”

~
Sara Prizzi, a senior Environmental Resource

Management major and Watershed and Water

Resources minor, spent seven weeks in

Reykjavik last summer taking

classes at the University of 100About ~
Iceland. While there, she Schreyer Honors student and Environmental Re-
conducted research on sources Management major Francesca Ramacci-
how to build a cheap,
sustainable waste-
water treatment plant

to treat sewage in College of Agricultural Sciences otti has participated in two embedded courses through
Iceland and learned
the Icelandic lan- students are in the Schreyer Honors the College of Ag Sciences. The rising senior traveled ~
guage. Prizzi is a pri- Thirteen undergraduate students in the Turfgrass Science major traveled to
mary founder of the ERM College, which offers special scholarships, to EARTH University with a course called “Costa Rica: Ireland and Scotland with faculty and staff in May of 2016 as part of an em-
honors courses, exclusive study abroad Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources” and to bedded international study course. The course involved weekly lectures on the
programs, research placements, history, design, and management of golf courses and athletic fields in Ireland
and Scotland, and culminated in a nine-day trip to both countries to visit sev-
and honors housing. New Zealand as part of “New Zealand Natural Resources.” eral high profile turf venues.

Society and worked in a weed These “embedded” courses combine a travel component with

ecology lab and a hydrology lab on traditional course curriculum and allow students to spend a few weeks

campus during her time at Penn State. abroad applying what they have learned in class.

THE WORLD IS YOUR CLASSROOM! If you’re interested in international studies, the International Agriculture minor 4
can be paired with any Penn State major. If you start at a commonwealth campus, you can begin the INTAG minor
online! Visit: agsci.psu.edu/international/intag and see where your studies can take you.

BIG DREAMS HAAGNSCDIESNCOESN

BRIGHT INTERNSHIPS

FUTURES Students in the College of Ag Sciences find internships where they
can practice their skills and get real-world experience working in
Ag Sciences students go on to do great things. their areas of interest. Internships look great on your resume, and
Whether you want to work in an office or out- they can help you make decisions about your studies and career path,
doors, for a big company or yourself, you can or even lead to a job offer!
get started at Penn State. Here are the stories
Josh Cassar, an Animal Science major}
of two recent grads living their dreams. with a focus on Poultry Science, interned

The College with Bell and Evans in a poultry plant in
of Ag Sciences Costa Rica where he was able to practice

is home to his Spanish, learn to run machines, and
supervise workers. Through his internships
31,000
living alumni. To learn more and experiences with the Poultry Science
about the Ag Alumni Society, Club, Josh was offered several full-time

visit agsci.psu.edu/alumni. jobs by the time of his graduation in spring
You can also see what our of 2016. He ultimately chose Bell and Ev-
graduates are ans as the place to start his career based
up to. on his knowledge of the company and his

Build Andrew Glass, Food Science ’15, scored a position as a brewing professional goals.
Your supervisor for Sam Adams in Breinigsville, PA. Glass coordinates
Network the brewing process, transforming raw ingredients like grain, hops, | Elizabeth Palmer,
and spices into the famous Sam Adams brews. He oversees all parts Animal Science, in-
Every year in Octo- of the brewing process—brewing the beer, adding yeast and fer- terned at United States
ber, the Ag Alumni menting, adding additional ingredients, aging, filtering, carbonating, Meat Animal Research
Association hosts a and sending the final product off for packaging. “I just want future Center in Nebraska as
mentoring workshop students to know that there are cool jobs like this out here,” Glass a laboratory technician.
where students says. “Employers want Penn State Food Science grads.” She chose Nebraska to
get advice on their get experience in an area
job searches, learn Alyssa Maxwell, ’16 Animal Science major and Ag Business of the country focused on
interview strategies, minor, now works as a Technical Service Specialist for dairy-fo- beef cattle, as she plans
and receive profes- cused agricultural cooperative Land O’ Lakes, overseeing the reg- to pursue a master’s
sional headshots. ulatory needs of 80-100 member-owners in western Pennsylvania. degree in beef cattle
The workshop helps Maxwell credits her involvement with college clubs and activities nutrition and work in
them prepare for the for her success. “The college provided me this beautiful blend of agricultural research
college’s Ag Career classroom education, real-world experience, and professional and extension.
Day, where over 136 development,” she
businesses, graduate explains. Learning ~
schools, and other new things is the Robby Ost, Environmental Resource Manage-
organizations look for most exciting part ment, first fell in love with Israel during a high
potential hires from of the job, she says. school trip. In the summer of 2015, he was able
Penn State’s agricul- “I have a new way to to return through a program called Onward Israel,
tural programs. look at food produc- offered through Penn State Hillel. Ost spent three
tion, from raw input months as an intern at Greeneye, an environmen-
5 to finished product. tal consulting firm.
I am really excited
about working with Chase Palmer, a junior double-majoring in }
producers!” Community, Environment and Development
and Geography, interned with the city of New Castle, Pennsylvania, as part of the Penn State Scholar-
ship, Sustainability & Civic Engagement Program. He helped the city to manage the blight of its housing
stock and work on an exit plan for its financial distress program. The SSCEP program prepares stu-
dents with coursework that is designed to assist them in upcoming internships and allow them to apply
what they have learned.

A Taste of
Entrepreneurship

The College of Ag Sciences at Penn State encourages students to 23
follow their dreams of creating new concepts, products, and com-
panies. These young entrepreneurs pursue ideas and inventions minors
with the goal of creating profitable businesses, protecting the envi-
ronment, or helping other people. Agribusiness
Ben Nason and Deanna Spaniel won the 2016 Ag Springboard Management
competition and $7,500 with their efforts to create blue and white
potato chips to showcase their school spirit and skills. The Ag Agricultural
Springboard competition is a signature event of the College of Ag- Communications
ricultural Sciences’ Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program,
which helps researchers and students grow their ideas into new Agricultural Systems
ventures that can create jobs and make money. Management

Innovators, Unite! Why Agronomy

For years, Bill Lamont, professor of vegetable AgSci? Animal Science

crops, had been exploring an idea to grow a va- $100,000 Arboriculture
riety of potatoes – one for nearly every color of
the rainbow. It was an exciting concept, but he Biological Engineering

needed help to determine possible applications. for undergraduate Entomology
Enter Agribusiness Management major research
Deanna Spaniel and Horticulture major Ben Entrepreneurship and
Innovation
Nason. They met in a class, Advanced Entrepre- projects. of research and entered the 2015 Ag Springboard competition, but were
neurial Ventures, offered through the College of Environmental and
Renewable Resource
Ag Sciences. It is a crash course in starting a business not selected as winners. Economics

and teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to test ideas, make Spaniel and Nason were not discouraged by the loss and decided to further develop Environmental
Resource Management
connections, and sell their products. the idea on their own. Developing a viable prototype required many hours of research and
Environmental Soil
Spaniel, who will graduate in 2018, had already earned four as- collaboration. This included regular three-hour drives to a partner facility in York, Pa. that Science

sociate degrees before attending Penn State. She studied restaurant produces potato chips to experiment with processing methods to create different colors. Equine Science

management, culinary arts, baking and pastry; earned a certifi- “As the product developed and we learned more about entrepreneurship and starting a Forest Ecosystems

cation as a dietetic technician; and had even owned a restaurant. business and talked to more professors, we worked out the details,” explains Spaniel. Horticulture

When Entrepreneurship & Innovation Coordinator Mark Gagnon By combining two types of naturally colored potatoes—a traditional white and the flashy International Agriculture

learned of Spaniel’s background, he realized she could help Lamont “Purple Majesty” variety—Spaniel and Nason eventually managed to create the perfect Leadership
Development
with product development. snack for Penn State fans.
Mushroom Science
Ben Nason, a Horticulture major with an interest in business, But there were bumps in the road to come. Starting a business through Penn State and Technology

was then recruited by Lamont to join the project. Spaniel and Lam- would take more time and paperwork than the pair had anticipated. So in the spring of Off-Road Equipment

ont began brainstorming and came up with the idea for a research 2016, the pair again turned to the Ag Springboard competition to secure the funding and Plant Pathology

project based on a student-run business—to market potato chips the momentum to quickly launch their product into the market. They won, and Blue and Poultry and
Avian Science
to universities using school colors. In spring of 2015, using scholar- White Chips was born.
Wildlife and
ship money provided by the college, they completed an initial round Fisheries Science

Deanna Spaniel and Ben Nason with Earl Harbaugh (far left), whose donation Beyond Penn State Youth and Family
created the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program and Richard Roush Education
(far right), dean of the college. What started off as a fun—if ambitious—way to exercise their creative and business skills
has expanded into an actual money-making opportunity for Spaniel and Nason. Spaniel is For a complete list
the face of their operation, speaking publically and to the media, while Nason works behind of programs and
the scenes to make connections and set meetings. options, visit
“We now have a producer, a bag, and a product, and we are working on license agree- thinkagain.psu.edu
ments with universities, fundraising organizations, and other groups to be their sole pro-
ducer of colored potato chips,” says Nason. “We can create orange, pink, blue, purple, white, 6
and other colors. We’re trying to think about different color combinations for different
groups. We can really branch out with this.”
According to Nason, the most rewarding part of the whole project has been handing out
chips to their supporters and Penn State fans. “It’s kind of like being Santa Claus. No one’s
upset to see me. It’s good to make a product that people like and they appreciate.”
The next step for Spaniel and Nason is to bring the product to market for online sales.
Its new name, ROYBIV, represents the chip colors that will be available (every color ex-
cept for green).

The University is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person

because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related

conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information, or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity

of individuals, impedes the realization of the University’s educational mission, and will not be tolerated. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to Dr. Kenneth Lehrman III, Vice Provost for Affirmative Action, Affirmative

Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901; Email: [email protected]; Tel 814-863-0471. © The Pennsylvania State University 2015

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

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Office for Undergraduate Education Non-Profit Org.
College of Agricultural Sciences U.S. Postage
101 Ag Admin.
University Park, PA 16802 PAID
State College, PA
IMPORTANT
DATES Permit No. 1

September 1, 2016

Penn State Applications Avaliable
admissions.psu.edu

October 17, 2016

College Open House at University Park

February through April 30, 2017

College Scholarship Applications Available
agsci.psu.edu

February through April, 2017

Accepted Student Programs

May through July, 2017

New Student Orientation

FOLLOW US @agsciences

To learn more about the college and to schedule a visit go to thinkagain.psu.edu/experience

EXPERIENCE

AgSciences
at PENN STATE
Dennis Furtkevic,
an Animal Science
major, lives and works
in the horse barns
on campus.

AgWShcyi?

Internships

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