10/13/2017
We want to introduce you to another one of our wonderful undergraduates!
Name: Cadan Cummings
Year: Senior
Hometown: Viroqua, Wisconsin
Major: Agronomy with a Certificate in Environmental Studies
Q: Why did you choose Agronomy at UW-Madison?
A: Growing up in western Wisconsin, also known as the Driftless Region, I was exposed to both organic and conventional agriculture through spending time at my grandpa’s dairy farm and living near the headquarters of Organic Valley. I joined the agronomy department because I enjoy learning how cropping systems can provide ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and regulation of soil and water quality, while also producing food, fiber, and fuel for our planet. Having started out my UW-Madison experience studying engineering, I was easily able to translate what I had learned in math, chemistry, and physics classes into my study of agronomy as it requires a well-rounded understanding of the sciences. Like engineering, I find that studying agronomy requires an applied technique of combining both scientific and social disciplines to solve a central problem. I also appreciate the ways in which the agronomy track encourages students to gain a holistic understanding of our world through the lens of production, while simultaneously maintaining our role as environmental stewards.
Q: What has been your favorite experience outside of class?
A: I have really enjoyed the opportunity to participate in field and laboratory research. For the past three semesters, I worked in the Kucharik Agroecology Lab assisting graduate students with their research projects pertaining to sustainability of bioenergy cropping systems and water sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the Central Sands Region of Wisconsin. Working in the lab was valuable because it taught me about cutting edge scientific research and allowed me hands-on agricultural experience in the field.
Most recently, I added to my undergraduate research experience by participating in the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship program operated by the U.S. Department of Energy. During my three-month internship, I worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee performing plant chlorophyll fluorescence research which investigated the effects of extreme heat wave events on plant photosynthetic efficiency. My experience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory was extremely valuable because it taught me new research techniques while giving me an opportunity to contribute to the scientific dialogue of how climate conditions are inducing changes to our landscapes.
Q: What has been your favorite class at UW, so far, Agronomy or other? (and why?)
A: One of my favorite courses at UW-Madison was Agronomy 300--Cropping Systems. Learning about cropping systems gave me a chance to apply the things I learned in other courses— primarily genetics, ag applied economics, and soils science—to examine novel agricultural practices. This class connected my course work with my research experience in bioenergy cropping systems and remote sensing of irrigated agriculture. It was also interesting because it taught me that incorporating ecological practices in farming can greatly improve cropping system resilience while also often having an economic advantage.
Q: What do you plan to do after you earn your degree?
A: I plan to participate in further plant science research pertaining to climate change science and plant ecophysiology. I will also be applying to graduate schools for next fall to research the influence of environment on agriculture and the opposing influence agriculture has on climate science.
Q: Do you have any words of advice for a high school senior considering Agronomy?
A: My advice for students considering agronomy is to find an area of the major that you are passionate about and find opportunities to immerse yourself in a real way in that field of study. Agronomy is a wide field of research and if you are interested in a specific aspect of how the discipline can be used to advance the field of molecular biology, food security, environmental science, or energy sustainability, use that curiosity to fuel your academic experience. The agronomy program at UW-Madison is leading the world in these fields of study and offers you the unique experience to acquire an education that has real world applications along with gaining hands-on experience with knowledgeable researchers. Utilize this wealth of resources to find your niche in your major.
