Grow Magazine has highlighted the latest "Grow Dozen". This time they focus on Soil Scientists. Check out the Soil Science alumni in this article - 12 alumni who are grounded in soil science.

Dr. Bill Hickey is part of a team of UW scientists selected by NSF to acquire a major new instrument for the UW campus: a cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) system. A cryo-ET allows three-dimensional imaging of specimens at sub-nanometer levels. Dr Hickey employed cryo-ET for in his discovery of the new bacteria structure termed "nanopods", and will utilize the instrument to gain further information about these. Dr. Hickey will also be utilizing the instrument to study microbes in situ in their native habitat. Read more.

At the recent 2011 Tri-societies meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Matt Ruark won a Certificate of Excellence in the Audio Visual category of the 2011 Extension Education Community Educational Materials Awards. Check out his YouTube video Cover crops following winter wheat or corn silage harvest. Congratulations, Matt!

Department staff Laura Good and Rick Wayne have launched a new web site housing some exciting new tools. The Wisconsin Manure Management Advisory System is a set of maps to help farmers and others who apply nutrients to identify suitable cropland areas for spreading. Read more.