Mizzou College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - CAFNR

From groundbreaking research and extending our land-grant mission to student success and leadership, we’re #CAFNRproud to celebrate these 10 highlights of 2024! Record-Breaking Enrollment We welcomed CAFNR’s largest new class ever this fall—788 future leaders ready to make their mark! Investing in Our Future Thanks to Governor Parson and Missouri lawmakers, we secured transformative funding for new and upgraded facilities, including a meat sciences laboratory, Grape & Wine fermentations laboratory, and drone training. Celebrating Decades of Discovery MU's Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) celebrated 40 years of analyzing agricultural policies. We also marked the 75th anniversary of aureomycin’s discovery at Sanborn Field and 150 years of the Enns Entomological Museum. Leading the Charge Christopher Daubert, vice chancellor and dean of the Mizzou College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - CAFNR, became the 85th president of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). CAFNR faculty, staff and students step up to important roles that showcase our leadership. Land-Grant Legacy Living our land-grant mission, CAFNR’s research, education and extension programs empower people across Missouri and beyond. One shining example: Extension Master Gardeners volunteered 150,000+ hours to create a healthier world and greener communities. Spotlight on New CAFNR Programs of Distinction CAFNR Programs of Distinction are nationally or internationally recognized for excellence. The University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture, a new CAFNR Program of Distinction, leads the $25 million Missouri Climate-Resilient Crop & Livestock (CRCL) Project. Other newly designated programs include Center for Tree Ring Science (CTRS), Financial Research Institute (FRI), Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership (GICL), and Missouri Climate Center (MCC). The Digital Future is Here We launched the Digital Agriculture Research & Extension Center (DAREC) this year to lead the way in ag tech and AI. Smart-er farming starts now! New Learning and Research Spaces Take Shape At the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, we celebrated the “topping off” of the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm’s new Learning Center, and a groundbreaking of the Roy Blunt Soil Testing and Research Laboratory at the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center. Driving Discovery CAFNR research tackles critical global challenges. Explore our groundbreaking work in this year’s Road to Discovery magazine. Career-Ready Graduates We prepare CAFNR students to be career-ready through hands-on learning experiences. For example, the Weather Analysis and Visualization Lab in the Mizzou School of Natural Resources offers real-world forecasting. Over 98% of CAFNR graduates report successful career outcomes. Thank you to our CAFNR community for making 2024 extraordinary. With #CAFNRMOmentum, we look forward to what we’ll achieve together in 2025!

Visit CAFNR in 2025! This year, we loved welcoming more than 700 families and school groups to experience everything CAFNR has to offer: 14 diverse degree programs, dedicated academic advisors, a personalized Career Development office and access to over $2 million in scholarships. When you visit our #Mizzou campus in person, you'll see how we can help you achieve your goals! For example this fall, the TMP-Marian FFA Chapter made a special stop on their way to the FFA National Convention to get a taste of the CAFNR Experience! They explored plant sciences and food science facilities, and even enjoyed some delicious Buck's ice cream, made fresh on campus. We can customize your agenda to match your interests. Whether you're planning a group visit or an individual tour, we’d love to show you around! Contact us to schedule your tour at [email protected] or visit https://lnkd.in/gYVr_TjJ. 

Celebrating FIGs—and connections in our CAFNR community!   From finding new family as first-year students to becoming CAFNR faculty leaders, Andrew Zumwalt and Amanda Alexander embody the power of FIGs.   Andrew was Amanda’s FIG peer advisor back in 2003. Today, they’re both associate teaching professors and program chairs in our Mizzou Division of Applied Social Sciences, paying it forward to the program that helped them start strong at Mizzou.   Read more about how FIGs support our new students and build long-lasting connections! Mizzou Personal Financial Planning

It's (purple) corn! University of Missouri College of Engineering and Mizzou College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - CAFNR assistant professor Pavel Somavat and his team found a dark purple corn, known as Maiz Morado, is proving to be the healthiest variety. Learn more about the benefits of the newest superfood ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wPvwB

Dean Daubert is coming! We know him! Faculty and staff enjoyed "Cocoa and Conversation" during the Dean's Traveling Office Hours today, hosted by Dean Daubert and the CAFNR Staff Advisory Council.

Congratulations to our graduating seniors!   Your hard work, dedication and accomplishments have fueled our #CAFNRMOmentum, and now you will shine as #MizzouMade alumni, driving change and innovation in your fields. I am thrilled to celebrate this milestone — the best day in the life of a university.   Here are just a few of our CAFNR student success stories:   Lily Cattoor earned a degree in nutrition and exercise physiology, building a strong foundation for her future as a physical therapist. She will begin her Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Saint Louis University in May 2025.   Dawn Sherman capitalized on her agribusiness management degree to gain a versatile skill set in agriculture and business. She is starting a new role as a safe quality food practitioner, contributing to the beef processing industry.   Luke Annin used his biochemistry degree to develop a deep understanding of molecular processes in the body, preparing him for a career in medicine. He plans to attend medical school, with acceptance already secured at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.   Read more of our senior spotlights: https://lnkd.in/gQxdtjPj   Congratulations, Class of 2024! We are #CAFNRproud of you and excited to see where your journey takes you next.   #DriveToDistinction

In our CAFNR senior spotlight today, meet Avery Rayle, plant sciences major. #MizzouMade #CAFNRproud

Now our CAFNR senior spotlight shines on Mason Locke, agribusiness management major. Q: Why did you choose to come to the University of Missouri? A: Choosing to attend the University of Missouri was a challenging decision for me, especially coming from a small town and graduating with just 15 students in my class. I felt intimidated at first, worried that I might not achieve the same goals as some of my peers I met at Mizzou. However, after careful consideration, I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone was the best choice for my personal growth. If I could offer advice to anyone in a similar situation—whether from a small town or a small school—it would be this: don’t be afraid to embrace new opportunities and push yourself beyond your comfort zone. It’s through these experiences that you truly grow and discover your potential. Q: What is a favorite memory you have during your time in CAFNR? A: My favorite memory in CAFNR has to be CAFNR Week! It’s such a blast to showcase our clubs and organizations and all the fun activities we do—not just to the university, but to anyone watching. CAFNR Week really highlights how these experiences help us grow into better leaders for the future. Plus, the friendships and connections I’ve made have truly shaped who I am today, both as a friend and a future leader. Q: What are your future plans? A: My future plans are still taking shape, but my incredible experiences with John Deere have shown me that I can apply what I’ve learned to other agricultural companies with similar values. While I’m not certain where this path will lead, I know it will involve innovation, sustainability and teamwork—principles I’m excited to carry forward into my career. Read more of his Q&A: https://lnkd.in/g9AdwPAE #CAFNRproud #MizzouMade

Meet Hannah Bockting, agriculture education major with an emphasis in communication and leadership. #CAFNRproud #MizzouMade Mizzou Division of Applied Social Sciences

Meet biochemistry major Luke Annin who is now in our CAFNR senior spotlight! Q: What is a favorite memory you have during your time in CAFNR? A: My favorite memory of CAFNR would be meeting my friends in freshman lab of biochemistry and seeing the cows on Lowry Mall for Meet Your Meat. Q: Were you involved in any extracurricular activities? A: I was heavily involved in research at the Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopedics at the Missouri Orthopedic Institute. I studied the tissues involved with ACL reconstruction. I was also a residential advisor in Shurz, and work in both the VA as a phlebotomist and in the MU hospital clinical lab as a clinical laboratory assistant. Q: Did you partake in any research, study abroad or internship opportunities? What did you enjoy about those experiences? A: I enjoyed the understanding of surgery I was able to gain as well as hundreds of hours of operating room experience through research projects headed by the Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopedics. Q: What are your future plans? A: I will be attending medical school. I have already been accepted into Saint Louis University School of Medicine, but will make the final decision in April. Read more of his Q&A: https://lnkd.in/gv2qSuwD #CAFNRproud #MizzouMade