Danyang Liu has been named superintendent of the Spooner Agricultural Research Station, the northwestern-most station of the statewide ARS network operated by the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. In this role, which Liu started in June 2026, he will oversee the staff, research operations and outreach efforts at the 380-acre station.
Spooner ARS, established in 1909, is ideally situated to study the agricultural challenges posed by the unique conditions of northern Wisconsin, including the region’s cooler temperatures, shorter growing season and sandy loam soil. The station currently hosts demonstrations and research on a variety of crops, including oats, barley, winter wheat, alfalfa, forage grasses, hazelnuts, table grapes, corn and soybeans. The station is also home to a volunteer-supported public demonstration garden that features perennial plants, grape varieties and All-America Selections of flowers and vegetables.
Liu takes over the role from Phil Holman, longtime superintendent at Spooner Station.
What is your professional background, including your areas of specialization?
I hold a Ph.D. in horticulture from Virginia Tech and an master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Florida. My professional background bridges academic research, commercial leadership in high-tech controlled environment agriculture, and community extension. I specialize in crop stress physiology, sustainable soil and weed management, and small fruit production, integrating advanced agricultural technology — like AI and robotics — to build resilient, climate-ready agricultural systems.
Source : wisc.edu