TO: Editors, Assignment Editors, News Directors, Reporters and Outdoor Writers
FROM: Penn State Ag News and Information

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Most parts of Pennsylvania received at least some rainfall in late March, but the current drought promises to continue. Journalists writing drought stories can turn to Penn State faculty for drought-related expertise.

The following faculty would be effective sources on drought-related issues:

--Marc Abrams, professor of forest ecology and physiology. Abrams is an expert on how climate and other factors affect forests and especially fall foliage displays. His office number is 814-865-4901, e-mail agl@psu.edu.

--Charles Abdalla, associate professor of agricultural economics. Abdalla can discuss policies for access and allocation of water and the economic effects of drought. His office number is 814-865-2562, e-mail CAbdalla@psu.edu.

--William Sharpe, professor of forest hydrology, and Bryan Swistock, extension associate in the School of Forest Resources, are experts on water conservation and water resource issues. Sharpe's office number is 814-863-8564, e-mail wes@psu.edu. Swistock's office number is 814-863-0194, e-mail brs@psu.edu.

--Dennis Murphy, professor of agricultural engineering. Murphy is a recognized expert on farm safety and can speak knowledgeably on such topics as silo gas and silo and hay fire risks during drought conditions. His office number is 814-865-7157, e-mail djm13@psu.edu.

--Robert Graves, professor of agricultural engineering. Graves is an expert on animal housing and can speak knowledgeably on cow comfort in high-heat conditions and other weather-related issues. His office number is 814-865-7155, e-mail reg2@psu.edu.

--Gary Moorman, professor of plant pathology. Moorman can talk about how drought can be a contributing factor for some types of plant diseases. His office number is 814-863-7401, e-mail gmoorman@psu.edu.

--Larry Hutchinson, professor of veterinary science, is an expert on how drought and heat conditions affect cattle and other livestock. His office number is 814-863-2160, e-mail lxh6@psu.edu.

--Ken Kephart, professor of animal science. Kephart is an expert on all aspects of swine production. He can discuss how drought conditions affect pigs and swine farms. His office number is 814-863-3671, e-mail kbk2@psu.edu.

--Marvin Hall, professor of forage management. Hall is a specialist in crop production, particularly on forage crops such as alfalfa and hay. His office number is 814-863-1019, e-mail mhh2@psu.edu.

--Gregory Roth, associate professor of agronomy, is an expert on field crops, particularly corn, and can address potential crop losses and issues related to animal feed shortages due to drought. His office number is 814-863-1018, e-mail gwr@psu.edu.

--Peter Landschoot, associate professor of turfgrass science, and George Hamilton, senior lecturer in agronomy, are experts on a wide variety of turfgrass-related issues. They can speak knowledgeably on drought's effect on lawns and golf courses. Landschoot's office number is 814-863-1017, e-mail pjl1@psu.edu. Hamilton's office number is 814-865-3007, e-mail ghamilton@psu.edu.

--Margaret Brittingham, associate professor of wildlife resources, is an expert on wildlife and can speak knowledgeably about the impact of drought on wild animals. Her office number is 814-863 8442, e-mail mxb21@psu.edu.

--Robert Brooks, professor of wildlife and wetlands, is a great source of information about how drought affects wetlands and their inhabitants. His office number is 814-863-1596, e-mail rpb2@psu.edu.

--Jim Sellmer, assistant professor of ornamental horticulture and Rob Berghage, associate professor of ornamental horticulture, are experts on how drought can affect shrubs, trees and gardens around the home. Sellmer's office number is 814-863-2250, e-mail jcs32@psu.edu. Berghage's office number is 814-863-2190, e-mail rdb4@psu.edu.

--Bob Carline, adjunct professor of fish and wildlife, can discuss drought's effects on fish populations in streams and lakes across Pennsylvania. His office number is 814-865-4511, e-mail pf7u@psu.edu.

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Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax