Grow Magazine

A four-legged, silver robot is shown peeking behind a potato plant. Visual recording devices are seen on the top of the robot, and an orange dog Croc shoe is seen on an exposed “foot”.

Fall 2026 Cover Story, Tools of the Trade

Farmer’s Best Friend

Four-legged, electromechanical friends may be the future of precision agriculture.

Two images are shown side by side: The image on the left shows a red soybean bud sprouting with red veins, a greenish-brown leaf, and many white hairs both on the leaf and red stem. The image on the right shows red dust resting in the bottom of a container, slightly coating the sides of the container.

Feature

In response to consumer demand and the prospect of more regulation, food companies are looking for natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes. CALS scientists are already working on plant-based options.

An illustration of a relaxed purple hand, palm-upward, holding a tree with a red trunk and branches and green leaves.

Feature

Researchers on the RISE

Through a major campus initiative, new faculty are joining CALS, determined to apply their science to some of the biggest societal challenges of today.

Chemicals in 12mm vials with blue and red caps are seen in rows through a window of a scientific measuring instrument.

Feature

Molecule Hunters

A new CALS-based laboratory hub has the high-level analytical technologies and computing power that UW researchers need to uncover nature’s beneficial secrets.

More from the Fall 2026 issue

Look for stories about ultra-processed foods, raptor research, compostable food packaging, ice fishing safety outreach, reptile and amphibian education for kids, the unintended consequences of bike-share programs, the return of agricultural education to a rural school district, and more.

A dog-like robot, wearing orange plastic clogs on its one visible foot and leg, peeks from behind a potato plant sprouting white flowers with blurry blue sky and clouds in the background.

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A head and shoulders image of a white male in front of a grey background wearing a grey suit, white collared shirt and necktie with red accents is shown.

In Vivo

Continuity Through Change

During a time of transition, here is what remains constant at CALS.

A young woman in winter clothing with fishing rod in hand sits cross-legged on lake ice near a drilled ice fishing hole.

Natural Selections

Solids Steps for Ice Fishing Safety

An extensive survey guides outreach efforts to help Midwestern anglers protect themselves in the winter.

A pencil illustration of a pink human heart, with gray blood vessels attached, on a turquoise background.

Findings

Proteins at the Heart of Heart Disease

A new study identifies a biological mechanism underlying some severe forms of an inherited cardiac condition.

An illustration of a double-pan balance scale is shown, with the word “diet” on the center apparatus. A red dial is pointing to the heavier left-side pan, which holds various junk food elements including chips, candy and sugary drinks. The right-side pan is elevated, holding fresh fruit, vegetable and meat and cheese.

Front List

Ultra-Processed Foods Unpacked

Five key questions (and answers) about the highly processed food products that make up an ever-growing proportion of our diet.

A young woman crouches at the edge of a trail, aiming her camera with a telephoto lens at something beyond the nearby tall grass.

Class Act

Rooted Outdoors, Focused on Discovery

Naturalist Aletta Bergman combines ecological fieldwork and undergraduate research to protect avian wildlife.

A corn-based circular film. The left half is brown and the right half is amber in color.

Natural Selections

Have Your Wrapper and Eat It Too

CALS scientists are moving toward a compostable option for food packaging that’s also edible. It could keep more plastic out of our waterways and our bodies.

depth of field

Bucky Badger, Dairy Camper

Bucky Badger helps instructor Danielle Brown BS’12, left, show a heifer during a Badger Dairy Camp session on dairy judging and linear evaluations in UW’s Stock Pavilion. Held in the summer, the camp features hands-on workshops, tours, and recreational activities for students ages 12 to 17 who are interested in dairy-related careers. Photo by Michael P. King

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Three BCycle e-bikes with white frames and black seats and handlebars stand upright in a gray bike rack.

Natural Selections

Road Sharing for Safer Bike Sharing

To realize the full benefits of bike-share systems (without the potential drawbacks), cities must invest in infrastructure that accommodates more cyclists.

An image of a book cover for "Reptiles and Amphibians for Kids," by Jessica Hua

Follow-Up

Cold-Blooded Guidebook

Wildlife ecology professor Jessica Hua aims to spark early interest in reptiles and amphibians with new book for kids.

Green casava plant leaves can be see through clear glass covered in water droplets.

Number Crunching

Better Crop Cultivators

Here are some key characteristics that make the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center a revolutionary biotechnology facility.

A man with a dark mustache, wearing a tan, wide-brimmed hat and holding corn husks, speaks to a group of dark-haired women under a pale canvas tent.

Living Science

The World Bridger

Paul Amauta Lema blends knowledge from both Indigenous and academic communities as he seeks to revitalize food sovereignty.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and wearing a black short-sleeved blouse and dark denim jeans leans on a bright yellow concrete bollard near a silver-framed garage door in a brick building facade with a date stone that says "2026" in the foreground to her right.

Offshoots

An Agricultural Education Revival

With CALS alums among its leaders, a small group of supporters has helped revitalize career and technical education in a small Wisconsin town.

Wearing a graduation cap and gown, a person shows a W hand sign overhead while walking in silhouette through an arched portico.

Accolades

Accolades: Fall 2026

A roundup of recognition for CALS alumni.

A person wearing a red Wisconsin shirt is seen sampling cut up pieces of cheese with a toothpick.

final exam

Are You as Sharp as Cheddar?

Ace our Final Exam by testing your CALS knowledge and you could win a gift box of Babcock cheese.

Still Filling the Hill

On Oct. 1–2, the pink plastic flamingoes once again blanketed Bascom Hill during UW’s annual Fill the Hill fundraiser. If you missed a chance to give a gift, don’t worry — the flamboyance has not yet flown, and you can still make a contribution to the campaign!

Make a gift to the CALS Fund