John Wallace Named Director of Penn State Regenerative Agriculture Center
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John Wallace, an associate professor of weed science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named director of the Penn State Regenerative Agriculture Center.
From associate professor to director
PUBLISHED ON November 2, 2026
John Wallace, an associate professor of weed science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences , has been named director of the Penn State Regenerative Agriculture Center to help guide research and collaboration aimed at advancing regenerative farming practices across Pennsylvania.
The center’s research activities will be primarily based on 125 acres of college-managed property at Rockview in Centre County. This field site will serve as a living laboratory for field-scale research, demonstrations, and education.
Regenerative agriculture encompasses practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, diverse crop rotations, and integrated livestock systems. This approach aims to:
- Improve soil health
- Protect natural resources
- Strengthen the long-term viability of agricultural operations
- Keep farms productive and profitable
Wallace’s Expertise and Leadership
Wallace’s expertise in weed science and sustainable cropping systems, combined with his strong partnerships with growers and agricultural industry professionals, makes him well suited to lead the center, noted Beth Gugino, associate dean for research operations and graduate education in the college and associate director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural State Experiment Station.
"His research addresses many of the management challenges farmers face as they explore regenerative practices, and he understands the importance of working directly with growers to develop practical, science-based solutions,” she said. “We look forward to his leadership in strengthening partnerships among researchers, Penn State Extension educators, farmers, and agricultural industry partners to advance regenerative agriculture in ways that support farm productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship.”
Wallace’s Work and Achievements
Wallace’s work at Penn State involves statewide extension responsibilities in field crop weed management. He leads an integrated research and extension program focused on advancing weed management practices for regenerative agriculture systems. He has served as lead principal investigator on five integrated research and extension projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, securing a total of $4.2 million to advance agricultural research and practices.
For the past eight years, Wallace has directed an organic cropping systems research project focused on...