If you ask someone on planet Earth what their favorite food is, lettuce probably isn’t the most common answer. But for astronauts aboard the International Space Station, fresh lettuce is a delicacy. As a NASA research fellow, UW undergraduate Bree Drew tested which lettuce varieties and harvest methods might be most efficient—and yield the tastiest product—to better serve astronauts far from home.

Water, weather, wildfire—the list goes on. For Wyoming residents, especially those involved in agriculture, these environmental factors directly impact lives and livelihoods. As producers across the state face increased risk of severe drought, water shortages, and related issues, how can staff at land management agencies, conservation districts, county extension offices, and other local organizations help them plan ahead?

As many Wyoming residents have experienced firsthand, invasive plants like cheatgrass increase wildfire risk and compete with native species for water and nutrients. In some cases, they can also be toxic to grazing animals. While these scourges pose serious threats to agricultural operations, a study by UW scientists may provide some reassurance for Wyoming sheep producers.