Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES)
An interdisciplinary, science-to-practice platform to study landscape-level challenges
The Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES) establishes a novel environment for accelerating solutions to persistently "wicked" landscape-level challenges centered on agriculture, food, and the environment. The science of agricultural sustainability underpins the mission of SAFES and provides a comprehensive approach to the complexity of challenges which integrates natural and social sciences with technological advancements, human behavior, economics, and policy.
SAFES integrates agriculturally and environmentally related disciplines to develop holistic approaches for tackling "wicked" challenges.
SAFES trains the next generation of researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers in integrating information from across domains and using science-based data for decision making.
SAFES shortens the distance between science and practice by actively connecting biophysical scientists with sociologists, communication scientists and educators. This work is led by the Agriculture and Environment Center through a shared discovery engagement process.
Latest News
June 24, 2025
Huck announces 2025-26 Leadership Fellows
Three faculty members, representing three different Penn State colleges, have been named Huck Leadership Fellows for the 2025-26 academic year.
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June 24, 2025
Ten Interdisciplinary Research Teams Awarded IEE Seed Grants
More than 30 researchers from seven Penn State colleges received seed funding to advance innovative, early-stage work addressing critical energy and environmental challenges, including SAFES Associates & Affiliates.
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June 24, 2025
Warmer Spots Within Fields have More Blooms and More Bees
Climate can vary across large areas of land, but it also can vary within much smaller areas such as farms. A new study by researchers at Penn State examined whether these microclimates — the climate of a very small or restricted area — affect pollination by both wild and managed bees and resulting wild blueberry yields.
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June 24, 2025
Five Named Big Ten Academic Alliance Department Executive Officer Fellows
Congratulations to Dave Abler, SAFES Associate for being selected for the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Department Executive Officers (DEO) program.
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