Last Tuesday, Dean Glenda Gillaspy scooped ice cream and served cheese at Scoops of Science in Washington DC. The reception is hosted by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and highlights dairy products from university creameries. The annual Capitol Hill event invites members of Congress and staffers to sample treats and learn about the agricultural missions of the universities.

CALS was one of 21 universities that participated in the event, and Gillaspy proudly served two Babcock Hall Dairy products to roughly 1000 attendees. The CALS table offered Babcock’s Birthday Ice Cream — a champagne flavored ice cream with a raspberry swirl in celebration of Babcock Dairy’s 75th birthday — alongside an aged cheddar.

As attendees enjoyed their ice cream and cheese, they had the opportunity to learn how public and land-grant universities drive agricultural innovation, give students hands-on experience in food production and science, and advance research that supports the dairy industry. With CALS in attendance, Gillaspy was able to share the research, teaching and outreach missions of the college and demonstrate the importance of federal support.