UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A Penn State Extension webinar series is aimed at helping community leaders navigate land-use challenges, with topics ranging from small farm economics and green infrastructure to solar development trends and artificial intelligence in planning.
The Summer/Fall 2025 Land-Use Webinar Series begins Aug. 6 and runs monthly through November. Sessions will feature Penn State experts and guest speakers discussing timely issues affecting municipal officials, planners, landowners and community organizations.
The opening session, “The Economic Impact of Small Farms: What it Means for Community Plans and Planners,” will feature Timothy Kelsey, professor of agricultural economics in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Kelsey will examine the often-overlooked contributions of small farms to local economies and environmental stewardship. The associate head of Penn State’s Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education, Kelsey’s research focuses on economic development issues in Pennsylvania, including land-use change and Marcellus Shale development.
Joining Kelsey will be Ted Ritsick, planning consultant with Hailstone Economics and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Ritsick will share insights on zoning and cooperative planning to sustain small farm operations. He previously served with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Each 75-minute session will be recorded and made available to registrants for six months. Other programs in the series will include:
— Aug. 20: “Local Ordinances and Green Infrastructure in Pennsylvania.” Bhavik Gupta, a civil engineering graduate student at Penn State, and Christine Kirchhoff, associate professor and associate director of law, policy and engineering at Penn State, will explore how local policies can support or hinder green stormwater infrastructure adoption.
— Sept. 17: “Current Pennsylvania Solar Development Trends: Update for Municipal Leaders.” Attendees can learn about solar zoning, legislative updates and planning strategies. Speakers will include Robert Davidson, a legal expert with Hummel, Lewis and Davidson LLP, and Matthew Svetz, educational program specialist with Penn State Extension. Davidson has worked on solar zoning amendments in Montour County. Svetz focuses on energy and land-use education.
— Oct. 15: “Stormwater Management Planning and Community Trees: Green Infrastructure for the Future.” This session will cover cost-effective green infrastructure strategies with Vincent Cotrone, urban forestry extension educator who specializes in green infrastructure and urban tree management.
— Nov. 19: “Practical AI for Community Development and Planning: Tools, Tips and Useful Everyday Applications.” This webinar will provide a hands-on introduction to generative AI for planners and community developers, led by James Ladlee, Penn State Extension state program leader for emerging and advanced technology, and John Turack, community and economic development extension program specialist. Ladlee focuses on integrating technology into community planning. Turack has expertise in civic engagement and planning.
Pending approval, the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association will offer professional credits to registered landscape architects or professional planners with the American Institute of Certified Planners. Each webinar is worth 1.25 credits, or 6.25 credits for those attending the full series.
Penn State Extension is offering the series in partnership with the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.
Registration is required to receive the link to access each webinar.
The cost of the webinar series is $50 for all five sessions, or $95 for all five sessions for those who want to receive AICP certification-maintenance credits from the American Planning Association. In addition, registered landscape architects can receive continuing-education credits for a fee of $65.
For anyone interested in a particular topic from the series, individual session registration is available for a fee of $15 per session. Those needing assistance can access a scholarship option.
For more information, contact John Turack at 724-837-1402 or by email at jdt15@psu.edu. To register for the webinars, visit the Penn State Extension website.