Agriculture and Environment

“Sack lunch” for seedlings: Fall fertilization of rangeland shrub seedlings to improve outplanting success. U.S. Forest Service, Science You Can Use in 5 Minutes.

Mountain goats and recreation: Effects on an alpine sky island. U.S. Forest Service, Science You Can Use in 5 Minutes.

Burning questions: Pre- and post-wildfire soil sampling in Western Cascades tree farm reveals large-scale soil carbon loss. CSA News. [PDF]

White pine plantations in moist forests: Do they make sense with increased wildfire potential? U.S. Forest Service, Science You Can Use in 5 Minutes.

Safeguarding plant genetic resources in the U.S.: Climate change brings challenges to USDA National Plant Germplasm System. CSA News. [PDF]

Ag application drones are gaining ground in Canada, but obstacles remain. Crops & Soils. [PDF]

Yield monitoring for profitability mapping, on-farm research, and precision conservation. Crops & Soils. [PDF]

Cannabis growing in Canada: An expanding market. Crops & Soils. [PDF] 

Utility-scale Solar Development

New models for solar development: The landscape is changing in Pennsylvania: More, smaller installations are likely. PA Township News. [PDF]

Managing grid-scale solar: Public input helps country draft zoning amendment. PA Township News. [PDF]

Get it in writing: Add solar requirements to zoning ordinance to save money and time. PA Township News. [PDF]

Economic impacts: Grid-scale solar development can affect the local economy and township budgets. PA Township News. [PDF]

Municipal officials’ guide to grid-scale solar development in Pennsylvania. Penn State MCOR.

Student Profiles

Environmental Fellows profiles, Delaware Environmental Institute, University of Delaware:

• Environmental leaders in the making. Delaware Environmental Institute announces its 10th class of Environmental Fellows. UDaily.
• Research by new DENIN Fellow Hanan Abou Ali aims to reduce hunger in Nigeria.
• New DENIN Fellow Ross Klauer hopes to use enzymes and microorganisms from the mealworm gut to break down plastics.
• Michael Powers, new DENIN Fellow, is building a model of permafrost distribution in the Central Andes Mountains to allow coexistence of drinking water reserves and mining.
• Jason Geiger, new DENIN Fellow, is developing technology to remediate oil and natural gas brine spills.

Reports

Penn State University Combined Research and Extension Annual Report of Accomplishments and Results. Submitted to U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Cooperative Extension Publications

Their Land, Their Legacy: A Guide to Help Inform Pennsylvania Landowners’ Decisions about the Future of Their Land. Penn State Extension.

National 4-H Farm and Ranch Safety Leader’s Guide. Ohio State University Extension.

Woodland Health Practices Handbook: A Practitioner’s Guide for Creating, Enhancing, and Maintaining Natural Areas. University of Maryland Extension.

The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home. Penn State Extension.

Fuel for Thought: Learning about Biobased Products and Bioenergy. 4-H curriculum. Facilitator’s guide. Penn State Extension.

Research Briefs

Fire history study reveals surprises about mixed-pine ecology in eastern Upper Michigan. Joint Fire Science Program.

Exploring patterns of burn severity in the Biscuit Fire in southwestern Oregon. Joint Fire Science Program.

Refereed Journal Articles

Wesley College ignites potential with undergraduate research program. CUR Quarterly.

Long-term changes in forest soil acidity in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution.