We breed and conduct research on carrot, onion, and table beet in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences. We have been breeding these three crops at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 77 years. Since 1992, our lab has been directed by Irwin Goldman. The three main pillars of our work are developing new germplasm, developing new knowledge through scientific studies, and the education and training of students.
Inbred lines, populations, and cultivars released from these breeding programs are in use around the world on six continents by farmers, gardeners, and plant breeders. Our research aims to improve these crops and better understand the genetic control of key traits of importance to consumers, farmers, plant breeders, and gardeners.
In addition to research and breeding, Irwin also teaches courses in plant breeding, vegetable crops, plants and human wellbeing, food and seed sovereignty, and evolutionary biology. He trains graduate students in the Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics graduate program and advises undergraduates students. You will find more information about our germplasm releases and our research projects in other sections of this website. For more information, please contact Irwin Goldman directly at ilgoldma@wisc.edu or 608-262-7781.
Goldman Lab 2024
© Board of Regents, University of Wisconsin System, 2026
Pictured with the fierce badger in front of Camp Randall. Front row from left to right, Emily Florin, Andrey Vega, Badger, Audrey Morrison, Grace Stoehr. Second row from left to right: Amirali Jafari, Leah Jakusz, Audrey Pelikan. Third row from left to right: Liam Scully, Hudson Koch, Irwin Goldman