On Thursday, July 10, 2025, the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences hosted its annual Potato Research Field Day at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station, drawing around 100 attendees, including growers, researchers and community members from across the state.

The event began with a welcome from Mike Peters, director of the Agricultural Research Station Network, and State Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (District 19), who was honored with the Friend of Agriculture Award for her continued support of Wisconsin’s agricultural research infrastructure. Sen. Cabral-Guevara authored a budget motion to increase funding for UW–Madison’s agricultural research stations by $2 million to help upgrade facilities and equipment.

“I wasn’t aware that this facility was as amazing and impressive as it is until I had the opportunity to come out here and hear from the scientists and the students,” says Cabral-Guevara. “This isn’t just something that benefits the students and the researchers, this is something that many of our community members utilize for their farms and their growth. It has impacts across the state, our county and the world.”

The budget motion authored by Cabral-Guevara details the importance of the stations: “The agricultural research stations operated by UW are the research and development laboratories for Wisconsin’s $104 billion agricultural sector, hosting more than 1,350 studies annually. Wisconsin farms deploy the practices tested at these farms to improve their economic returns, protect their natural resources and provide healthy, nutritious food for consumers.”

“Our work here is driven by collaboration with faculty, industry partners, producers, students and policymakers,” says Peters. “Sen. Cabral-Guevara is a key collaborator who is advocating for the research and development arm of the state of Wisconsin.”

After welcomes, field day attendees boarded wagons for a guided tour of six field sites, where UW–Madison researchers presented updates on key research initiatives. Topics included nitrogen use in growing potatoes, potato breeding to improve yield and quality, pest management, chemical leaching in soil, weed management, potato diseases and precision agriculture technologies. Following the presentations, attendees enjoyed a social hour and dinner, courtesy of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association’s Associate Division.

“What I love about field days is the chance to bring everyone together to see how research translates into real-world solutions for growers in the Central Sands and beyond,” says Peters. “This is the Wisconsin Idea in action.”

For more information about ongoing research and future events, visit https://ars.wisc.edu.

UW–Madison’s Agricultural Research Station Network
Hancock is one of 12 agricultural research stations operated by UW–Madison, which are supported by the university and through state and federal funding. Research projects conducted at the stations are funded by a variety of sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and private industry.