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Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
@uwmadisonpas.bsky.social
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Student opportunities, scientific news, and more from the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
https://pasdept.wisc.edu/
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We are excited to announce our new faculty Sarah Kezar! Kezar joins us as an assistant professor specializing in weed ecology and management.

Read more about Kezar's research goals, academic journey, hobbies (such as barrel racing 🐎), and more in a recent Q&A: ecals.cals.wisc.edu/2025/10/30/n...
Sarah Kezar smiles. She has light brown hair and wears a striped button up. Text reads, "New faculty Sarah Kezar."
November 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
uwmadisonpas.bsky.social
Study environmental health, food sovereignty, global food systems, and more this spring in Global Food Production and Health (Agroecology 377)!

Instructor: Claudia Irene Calderón
Credits: 3
Breadth: Biological Science
Text says, "Agroecology 377 Global Food Production and Health. Study: agricultural and environmental health, food sovereignty, global health and nutrition, and policy and governance. Instructor Claudia Irene Calderon. Three credits. Biological Breadth."
November 4, 2025 at 8:18 PM
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Looking at spring courses? Check out Genetically Modified Crops: Science, Regulation, and Controversy! Students will learn about why GM crops are created, how they are regulated, and arguments for and against their use.

*Map from GE Crops: Experiences & Prospects (2016) National Academies Press
Text reads, "Plant Science 360. Spring 2025. Genetically Modified Crops: Science, Regulation, and Controversy. Explore how and why genetically modified crops are created and regulated. Learn about the impacts of genetically modified crops and evaluate arguments both for and against their use. Mondays and Wednesdays 1:20 PM to 2:10 PM. 351 Moore Hall. 2 credits." In the middle is a picture of a map of genetically modified crops grown around the world.
October 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM
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Are you headed to the SACNAS NDiSTEM conference? If so, make sure to stop by booth (number 423) where our very own Fernando De La Torre will be sharing information about our graduate programs in plant breeding & plant genetics, plant science & technology, and agroecology!
Text says, "NDiSTEM Conference. Columbus, Ohio. October 30 through November 1. Visit our booth number 423 to speak with Fernando De La Torre about our graduate programs in plant science and technology, plant breeding and plant genetics, and agroecology." At the bottom is the SACNAS logo.
October 29, 2025 at 3:29 PM
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Students from across the state visited us for the Wisconsin Science Festival's Field Trip Day in the Discovery Building on Oct 22nd. Volunteers and department members shared fun activities like trivia, crop tasting, and even a potato race with kids aged K-12!
A person stands behind a table and smiles in the Discovery Center. Two people wearing matching shirts stand behind a table and smile.
October 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
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Looking for spring courses? Check out Indigenous Foodways: Food and Seed Sovereignty! #Indigenous foods of North America are a vital part of modern agricultural & food systems. Indigenous foods and foodways will be examined from interdisciplinary historical, legal, biological, & social perspectives.
Text reads, "Plant Science 380. Indigenous Foodways: Food and Seed Sovereignty. Tuesdays 3:30 to 5:25 Room 108. Plant Science Building 2 credits." Images of corn, boiled corn, a corn grinder, and tortillas. Text reads, "Students study nixtamalization by boiling corn and ash, grinding the corn, and making flour." A person on a ladder works on a wooden framework. Text reads, "Co-instructor Dan Cornelius teaches students how to construct a temporary lodge." A hole is cut in ice and a fish swims. Text reads, "In a tent on Lake Mendota, guest lecturer Jon Greendeer, a tribal member and former president of the Ho-Chunk Nation, demonstrates traditional spearfishing practices to students."
October 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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October 4th, Allen Centennial Garden hosted their #HarvestFestival. Attendees got to see performances, food, and art from local and international cultures. The Garden hosted groups such as the Beni Daiko Madison Japanese Taiko Drumming Group and chefs such as Qwantese Winters.
A traditional Ojibwe birchbark canoe lies in the grass. A horticulture student smiles and stands next to their presentation on the Wyman Kitchen Garden. Two people serve collard greens as a line of people queue for samples. A Japanese drumming group performs in Allen Centennial Garden.
October 16, 2025 at 8:59 PM
uwmadisonpas.bsky.social
Last weekend, the Goldman Lab hosted the #Pumpkin Regatta! It was a beautiful day to paddle a pumpkin. 🧡
A person smiles and holds a pumpkin that has the text "Goldman Lab" carved into it. A person paddles a pumpkin with a kayak paddle.
October 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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At the @uwmadison.bsky.social Kegonsa Research Campus, scientists from across UW and the @savannainstitute.bsky.social are growing currant berries between solar panels. This practice is known as #agrivoltaics and has many potential benefits.

Learn more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMGH...
Background image of a solar panel. Text says, "Currents for Currants, Agrivoltaics at UW-Madison." In the bottom right is a QR code to YouTube.
October 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
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The Harvest Festival is back! Visit Allen Centennial Garden this weekend for great tunes, plant activities, and a special visit from the canoe that hangs in Dejope along with its Ojibwe maker. The event is free, and everyone is welcome! allencentennialgarden.wisc.edu/harvest-fest...
Drawing of a canoe in the sunset. Text reads, "Harvest Festival 2025, Allen Centennial Garden. Free fun for all! Saturday October 4th 12PM to 6PM."
September 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
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Taigan Anderson, one of our #agroecology majors, has already completed five study abroad programs in her first two years at UW-Madison. She has traveled to Austria, France, Iceland, and Japan to study health and agriculture.

Learn more through the QR code or at: pasdept.wisc.edu/2025/09/08/a...
People study soil in a mountainous region. Text reads, "Agroecology Abroad. Q and A with Taigan Anderson." There is a QR code in the bottom right corner.
September 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
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Join us October 4th at 11AM at the Memorial Union Terrace for the 20th Annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta!

These pumpkins are grown by the Goldman Lab in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences.

The event is free, and no experiences is necessary. See you there!
Text says, "Paddle the Pumpkin. 20th Annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta. Memorial Union Terrace. 11 AM October 4th, 2025. Free event. No experience necessary." Two people use kayak paddles to paddle pumpkins. A person sits in a pumpkin boat and smiles.
September 19, 2025 at 4:57 PM
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Join UW-Madison in celebrating Latine Heritage Month! This year’s theme, Amor Sin Fronteras (“Love Without Borders” in Spanish), focuses on the interrelation of cultures across Latin America and the United States - and how they continue to evolve. Learn more at: go.wisc.edu/latine
Text says, "University of Wisconsin Madison Latine Heritage Month. September 15 to October 15 2025. Amor sin fronteras."
September 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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Welcome back for the fall semester! We'll be having some fun events at Allen Centennial Garden next week, and our department will be tabling at Plant Adoption Day. See you there!
Text says, "Welcome Week Events at Allen Centennial Garden. September 8, Herb Collection Garden Tour. 4 PM to 5:30 PM. September 9 Plant Watercolors from 1 PM to 2:30 PM. September 10 Bouquet Making from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. September 11th Thursday Embroidery from 3 PM to 5 PM. September 12 Friday Plant Adoption Day from 2 PM to 5 PM."
September 3, 2025 at 5:44 PM
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Join us Wednesday for the Agronomy and Soils Field Day at Arlington Research Station! Learn more: cals.wisc.edu/extension-ou...
Text says, "Agronomy and Soils Field Day. Wednesday, August 27. Arlington Research Station."
August 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
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Join us tomorrow for the UW Organic Research Field Day! Learn about cropping systems, Kernza, and more. Read more at: cals.wisc.edu/extension-ou...
Text says, "UW Organic Research Field Day. Tuesday, August 26th."
August 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM
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Reminder: join us tomorrow morning at the Arlington Research Station for the Hemp Research Field Day presented by the Ellison Lab! alternativecrops.horticulture.wisc.edu/2025/06/16/h...

Photo by Sirapop “Mag” Kiatchaipipat
A person presents to a crowd in an agricultural field.
August 20, 2025 at 3:23 PM
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Interested in making #agriculture more #sustainable? Check out our intro course this fall: #Agroecology 103, An Introduction to the #Ecology of Food and Agriculture! Learn more about the agroecology major at go.wisc.edu/agroecology
Graphic of mangoes with text that reads, "Agroecology 103, and Introduction to the Ecology of Food and Agriculture. Lectures Thursdays 2:30-3:45 PM. Discussions Thursdays and Fridays. Interested in majoring in agroecology? This course is the first of three courses required for the agroecology major. Agroecology has blossomed across the world in recent decades as not only a science, but also a practice, and a movement."
July 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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Irwin Goldman's lab is working on a unique #zinnia plant breeding outreach program this summer. Check out some of the beautiful blossoms from their Arlington nursery!
#plantBreeding #plantGenetics #horticulture
A person uses a paint brush to collect pollen A bouquet of magenta, pink, and yellow zinnias. A person crouches in a field with zinnia plants. Zinnia plants in rows some with bags over their blossoms
July 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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The WiscWeeds program hosted a great field day June 19th at Rock County Farm in Janesville! Growers from across the state attended to learn more about topics such as cover crops and advancements in herbicides. Great job, WiscWeeds!
The WiscWeeds lab poses for a picture. They wear bright, red polos and smile.
June 30, 2025 at 3:36 PM
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Next week, Professor Amaya Atucha will begin her new role as department chair. July 1st, Professor Patrick Krysan will hand over this role after serving as chair for six years.

Learn more: pasdept.wisc.edu/2025/06/23/a...
Amaya Atucha smiles and wears bright yellow. Text reads, "Amaya Atucha Elected Chair."
June 24, 2025 at 6:59 PM
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Field snapshot! Mike North (researcher), Erick Amaya (grad student), and Steven Hall (assistant professor) collect soil samples for a study on #phosphorous fertilization in #cranberry production systems.

Picture taken by Amaya Atucha (associate professor) at Bartling’s Manitowish Cranberry Co.
Three people pose in a cranberry field.
June 16, 2025 at 8:44 PM
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Our classes often center hands-on activities 🌱 Students in Plant Science 335 grew and harvested hydroponic lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. Students also grew plants for local organizations.

In "Course Search & Enroll", check out our summer and fall classes under "agroecology" or "plant science"!
Three people analyze a hydroponic container. Two people work on flower cultivation. Two people talk in a greenhouse full of flowers. A person smiles and holds a tray of lettuce.
May 30, 2025 at 1:52 PM
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Join us next week May 21st from 5-7PM for some free food, drinks, and conversation on #seedSovereignty and #Indigenous seed knowledge. Please RSVP by sending a quick email to emma.hahn@culturalsurvival.org . We hope to see you there!
Text reads, "Let's Get Growing: Seeds, Stories & Solidarity. May 21, 5 to 7 PM. Aubergine, the Willy Street Co-op Community Space. 1126 Williamson Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703. Speakers: Avexnim Cojti, David Paredes, and Cherie Thunder. Moderator: doctor Claudia Calderon. Join us for an inspiring evening bringing together individuals dedicated to protecting and promoting seed sovereignty and Indigenous seed knowledge. We'll enjoy light food by Guatemalan Chef Myra Guevara and drinks to share. Please RSVP to emma.hahn@culturalSurvival.org."
May 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
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Congrats to all who graduated this spring! A special shout-out to Jaya Hafner, an #agroecology graduate student. Hafner represented the Graduate School as their flag bearer. Congrats, Jaya! 🎊 Read more about Hafner and her research on watershed health: cals.wisc.edu/alumni/recen...

#OnWisconsin
Students fill Camp Randall Stadium. Two rows of students carry flags.
May 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM