Ag Analytical Services Lab and Plant Disease Clinic Remain Open

 

 

Agricultural samples, including soil tests, and drinking water tests are still being processed by the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory; however, they have implemented an emergency contingency plan and are operating at limited capacity. To allow the laboratory staff to devote their efforts to meet critical needs, they request that only high priority samples be submitted at this time. These include agricultural samples associated with food and crop production and drinking water tests.

 

Resources are still available to get your agricultural samples and drinking water tests to the lab. Soil tests can be mailed to the lab with payment using the online form. Alternatively, soil and drinking water test kits can be requested directly from the lab (aaslab@psu.edu; 814-863-0841) and mailed to your address.

 

 

Plant disease samples are still being processed at Penn State’s Plant Disease Clinic; however they are operating on limited lab hours. Currently, they are prioritizing samples of life-sustaining crops/plants (e.g. field crops, vegetables, tree fruit, small fruit, etc.).

 

The clinic is now accepting digital sample submissions and encourages submitting photos before sending samples. For digital sample submission, fill out the Specimen Information form and e-mail it along with photos to plantclinic@psu.edu. Samples can be mailed with the Specimen Information form to the clinic via US Mail, FedEx, or UPS. Please contact the clinic directly (plantclinic@psu.edu; 814-865-2204) with tracking information and estimated arrival of samples. For information on how to collect and package plant disease samples, see the clinic’s instructions for selecting and sending a specimen.

Video: How Can We Grow More Food With Less Impact?

For over two decades, Dr. Mitloehner has been at the forefront of research on how animal agriculture affects our air and our climate. With deep expertise in emissions and volatile organic compounds, his work initially focused on air quality in regions like California’s Central Valley—home to both the nation’s richest agricultural output and some of its poorest air quality.

In recent years, methane has taken center stage in climate discourse—not just scientifically, but politically. Once a topic reserved for technical discussions about manure management and feed efficiency, it has become a flashpoint in debates over sustainability, regulation, and even the legitimacy of livestock farming itself.

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Specialist with the CLEAR Center sits down with Associate Director for Communications at the CLEAR Center, Joe Proudman.