UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- To better reflect the scope of its work, the agronomy department in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will be known as the department of crop and soil sciences effective July 1.

The department's title was changed after extensive consultation with faculty, alumni and agricultural industry professionals, according to A.J. Turgeon, professor of turfgrass management and interim department head.

"We made the change for the sake of clarity," Turgeon says. "Agronomy has always been about crop production and soil resources, but it's an older term that a lot of people aren't familiar with. Many other departments have changed their names for the same reason.

"Our research and extension activities in production agriculture, environmental stewardship and land use policy won't change. Our faculty have actively researched and trained graduate students in these areas for years. But, acknowledging soil science in the departmental name should enhance our ability to attract the best students.

"Soil is the fundamental medium that supports all of mankind's activities," says Turgeon. "We grow our food in soil, build our buildings on it, play on it and dispose of our wastes in it. We will continue to conduct research and teach in areas important to the agriculture sector and all the citizens of the commonwealth."

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EDITORS: For more information, contact A.J. Turgeon at 814-863-7626.

Contacts:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax