New ice cream flavor commemorates Ag Hall centennial

A new Babcock ice cream flavor commemorates the centennial of Agricultural Hall at the end of Henry Mall on the UW–Madison campus: Ag Hallberries on Henry Malt. The flavorful treat features a pink sweet cranberry-based ice cream with malted milk balls and a ribbon of fudge.

Craig Kohn, a sophomore in life sciences communication from Krakow, Wis., thought of the name, while suggestions from forestry alumnus Terry D. Droessler from Corvallis, Ore., inspired the ingredients.

To gather ideas for flavors and names, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences e-mailed 13,000 college alumni, faculty, academic staff, classified staff and students. They received suggestions from 24 states and six other countries: Trinidad/Tobago, Switzerland, Finland, New Zealand, Japan and Iceland.

The ingredients reflect Wisconsin’s agricultural heritage and contributions. In addition to its reputation as the Dairy State, Wisconsin is the No. 1 producer of cranberries in the United States. The state is expected to produce 3.05 million barrels this year, each barrel being 100 pounds of fruit. UW–Madison provides information about cranberries for producers and consumers through the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UW-Extension and Steenbock library.

Henry Malt is a reference to Henry Mall, the plaza that runs from Ag Hall to University Avenue, and is fronted by buildings that house classrooms, offices and research facilities for many of the programs that are rooted in Ag Hall.

Henry Mall was named for William A. Henry in 1924. He joined the University of Wisconsin in 1880 and became the first dean of the College of Agriculture in 1891, after the college was organized in 1889. He retired in 1907.

An advocate of scientific research and a leader in the development of Wisconsin’s agricultural experiment station and agricultural short courses, Henry emphasized diversification and expansion of commercial agriculture. During his tenure, agricultural chemistry, agricultural physics and agronomy became well established as disciplines, and the newer fields of bacteriology, plant pathology and agricultural genetics and nutrition gained status. The agricultural campus underwent a building boom under Henry’s leadership, including the construction of Agricultural Hall in 1903.

The UW–Madison Babcock Dairy Plant has been making highly acclaimed gourmet ice cream for more than 50 years on campus. Other commemorative flavors include Union Utopia, made this year in honor of the 75th anniversary of Memorial Union; Grainger Granite Crunch with Academia Nuts, created in honor of the opening of Grainger Hall in 1993; and Praise to Thee, Our Almond Mocha unveiled in 1999 to recognize UW–Madison’s sesquicentennial.

Ag Hallberries on Henry Malt will be available at the Babcock Hall Dairy Store, 1605 Linden Drive. The store is open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saturday.