Faculty

Michael Jacobson

Professor of Forest Resources

309 Forest Resources
University Park, PA

Email mgj2@psu.edu
Phone 814-865-3994

Areas of Expertise

Pennsylvania Keyphrases
Agroforestry Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Landowner Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Forestry Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Agroforestry Keyphrases
Landowners Keyphrases
Bioenergy Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Sustainable Forestry Keyphrases

Modeling Neglected and Underutilized Crops for Future Food Resilience
Daniel J. Winstead, Michael G. Jacobson, Apr 2026, In: Plant-Environment Interactions
Date: Apr 2026

Exploring the biochemical properties and cosmetic potential of camel hump fat
Zineb Boubal, Layla El Gueddari, Najeeb Ullah, Sanaa Khiri, Walid Janati, Nawal Merghoub, Hassane Lgaz, Abdelbasset Chafik, Michael G. Jacobson, Ezzouhra El maaiden, Dec 2025, In: Food and Humanity
Date: Dec 2025

Comparative financial profitability of agroforestry and cereal monocropping practices in Northwestern Ethiopia
Mekuanent Tebkew, Zebene Asfaw, Adefires Worku, Michael Jacobson, Haimanot B. Atinkut, Sep 20 2025, In: Science of the Total Environment
Date: Sep 20 2025

Valorization of residual biomass from essential oil extraction of Ammodaucus leucotrichus
Sanaa Khiri, Ayoub El-Mrabet, Zineb Boubal, Najeeb Ullah, Asmat Ullah, Walid Janati, Layla El Gueddari, Abdelbasset Chafik, Hassane Lgaz, Smail Amalich, Michael G. Jacobson, Ezzouhra El maaiden, Jun 2025, In: Biomass and Bioenergy
Date: Jun 2025

Coproducing water-energy-food Nexus actionable knowledge
Ida N.S. Djenontin, Bassel Daher, Jacob W. Johnson, Kenan Adule, Birhanu K. Hishe, Patience Kekirunga, Vanessa King, Emma Gaalaas Mullaney, Patience Nimushaba, Michael Gregory Jacobson, Annette Huber-Lee, Ellen J. Kayendeke, Abdullah Konak, Vicki L. Morrone, Esther Obonyo, Losira N. Sanya, Laura Sch..., Apr 2025, In: Environmental Science and Policy
Date: Apr 2025

Usability of agricultural drought vulnerability and resilience indicators in planning strategies for small farms
Tanaya Sarmah, Nazmiye Balta-Ozkan, Abdullah Konak, Elisabeth Shrimpton, Karina Simone Sass, Marina Batalini De Macedo, Eduardo Mario Mendiondo, Adelaide Cassia Nardocci, Da Huo, Michael Gregory Jacobson, Apr 2025, In: Climate Services
Date: Apr 2025

Valorization of Camel Bioproducts and Wastes
Zineb Boubal, Sanaa Khiri, Najeeb Ullah, Hassane Lgaz, Michael G. Jacobson, Ezzouhra Elmaaiden, 2025, In: Waste and Biomass Valorization
Date: 2025

An Assessment of Social and Ecological Factors Influencing the Management and Productivity of Smallholder Aquacultural Systems in Northern Province, Zambia
Jacob W. Johnson, Michael G. Jacobson, Steven M. Cole, Muleya Syapwaya, Alexander Kaminski, Heather Karsten, Jay R. Stauffer, Leif Jensen, Mary Lundeba, 2025, In: Aquaculture Research
Date: 2025

Novel approaches to exploring nutritional potential and applications of residual biomass after essential oil extraction
Sanaa Khiri, Ayoub El-Mrabet, Najeeb Ullah, Hamza Targmoussi, Zineb Boubal, Layla El Gueddari, Walid Janati, Abdelbasset Chafik, Nawal Merghoub, Hassane Lgaz, Smail Amalich, Michael G. Jacobson, Ezzouhra El maaiden, 2025, In: Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
Date: 2025

Improving Smallholder Maize Production in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Joe G. Ono-Raphel, Lisa du Preez, Audie L. Cherry, Michael G. Jacobson, Jan 1 2025, In: Food and Energy Security
Date: Jan 1 2025

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Soil carbon sequestration in agroforestry systems
Andrea De Stefano, Michael G. Jacobson, Oct 28 2017, In: Agroforestry Systems
Citations: 291

NTFP income contribution to household economy and related socio-economic factors
Shiba P. Kar, Michael G. Jacobson, Jan 2012, In: Forest Policy and Economics
Citations: 138

The influence of financial incentive programs in promoting sustainable forestry on the nation's family forests
Michael A. Kilgore, John L. Greene, Michael G. Jacobson, Thomas J. Straka, Steven E. Daniels, Jun 2007, In: Journal of Forestry
Citations: 118

Operationalising the water-energy-food nexus through the theory of change
Dhesigen Naidoo, Luxon Nhamo, Sylvester Mpandeli, Nafisa Sobratee, Aidan Senzanje, Stanley Liphadzi, Rob Slotow, Michael Jacobson, Albert T. Modi, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Oct 2021, In: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Citations: 113

Transitioning from wild collection to forest cultivation of indigenous medicinal forest plants in eastern North America is constrained by lack of profitability
Eric P. Burkhart, Michael G. Jacobson, Jun 2009, In: Agroforestry Systems
Citations: 39

An evaluation of West Virginia's managed timberland tax incentive program
Jennifer Fortney, Kathryn G. Arano, Michael Jacobson, Jan 2011, In: Forest Policy and Economics
Citations: 36

Financial Incentive Programs' Influence in Promoting Sustainable Forestry in the Northern Region
Michael G. Jacobson, Thomas J. Straka, John L. Greene, Michael A. Kilgore, Steven E. Daniels, Jun 2009, In: Northern Journal of Applied Forestry
Citations: 36

Improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay using payments for ecosystem services for perennial biomass for bioenergy and biofuel production
Peter B. Woodbury, Armen R. Kemanian, Michael Jacobson, Matthew Langholtz, Mar 30 2016, In: Biomass and Bioenergy
Citations: 33

Economic assessment of landowners’ willingness to supply energy crops on marginal lands in the northeastern of the United States
Wei Jiang, Katherine Y. Zipp, Michael Jacobson, Jun 2018, In: Biomass and Bioenergy
Citations: 32

Examining the compatibility between forestry incentive programs in the US and the practice of sustainable forest management
Steven E. Daniels, Michael A. Kilgore, Michael G. Jacobson, John L. Greene, Thomas J. Straka, 2010, In: Forests
Citations: 30

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Centers & Institutes

Elsevier Pure Profile

Farmers confer amidst their corn crop, garden and fish ponds. Typically, smallholder fish farms are family-run operations that raise tilapia in small areas of land along with a few crops and some livestock. Credit: Jacob Johnson. All Rights Reserved.

January 24, 2025

Researchers explore strategies to aid smallholder fish farmers in Zambia

Early career researchers from 14 countries and five continents joined together to conduct research at the Dickinson College Farm in Carlisle. They were broken into four research groups based on the water-energy-food nexus paradigm: soil health, waste management, renewable fuels, and livestock and water quality. Credit: Contributed photo. All Rights Reserved.

November 15, 2024

Penn State water-energy-food nexus project takes a global approach

November 03, 2024

More evidence mounts for water fern azolla as global food insecurity solution

Findings from this study suggest that azolla is food safe and has the potential to safely feed millions of people due to its rapid growth while free-floating on shallow fresh water without the need for nitrogen fertilizers. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

October 23, 2024

Water fern gains more evidence as safe potential global food insecurity solution

Native to the eastern U.S., Carolina azolla holds excellent potential for use as a fast-growing, short-season crop that requires minimal inputs, upkeep and processing, according to Penn State researchers. The plant — sometimes referred to as mosquito fern, fairy moss and water fern — could be used to increase the food supply. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

February 16, 2024

Common plant could help reduce food insecurity, researchers find

Due to a changing climate, Africa is projected to experience hotter temperatures, more severe storms and increased droughts — and few of the countries on the continent are prepared to deal with the coming crisis. Credit: GettyImages gorsh13. All Rights Reserved.

October 27, 2022

International consortium to better assess Africa drought risks, boost resilience

July 27, 2022

Researchers get $2M NSF grant to develop Africa water-food-energy network

A collection of microgreens that are being tested for robust growth and nutritional properties in one of Penn State’s greenhouses. IMAGE: FRANCESCO DI GIOIA, PENN STATE

June 08, 2020