By Blake Jackson
Penn State Extension introduced Tilva, a new artificial intelligence-powered resource, at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Designed to provide farmers with 24/7 access to reliable information, the tool delivers fast, research-backed answers drawn from Penn State Extension’s extensive knowledge base.
“Penn State’s commitment to connecting farmers and agriculturalists across Pennsylvania with trusted research and expertise reflects the original vision of our land-grant universities,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding said.
“As we celebrate agriculture’s role in ‘Growing a Nation’ at the 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show, this new AI tool helps accelerate innovation and strengthen the future of Pennsylvania agriculture.”
Tilva is built for producers who need quick, dependable information. It helps users find answers related to agriculture, food systems, the environment and more, while extending the reach of Extension educators. The tool is free to use and can be accessed through the Penn State Extension homepage by clicking the “Ask Tilva” button, or downloaded directly online.
Users can type questions or upload images for immediate assistance. Image recognition supports identification of pests, diseases and plants, and users may also upload soil test results from Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory for interpretation. While primarily designed for production agriculture professionals, Tilva also serves educators, businesses, policymakers, homeowners and gardeners.
Tilva also suggests Extension workshops, online courses and certificate programs based on user interests and connects users to trusted data sources. Answers are available in English and Spanish.
By managing routine questions, Tilva allows Extension professionals to focus on more complex needs. As Jeffrey Hyde Director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences said, “It also links users to our experts - extension professionals who stand ready to answer more detailed or nuanced questions.”
To learn more about Tilva, visit https://ai.extension.psu.edu/
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Crops, Education