Andrew Perry

Major: Agricultural Economics
Hometown: Columbia, Missouri

How did you choose your major?

Choosing your major influences your life in innumerable ways. It impacts the type of friends you make, the occupation you pursue, the life you live, and the legacy you leave behind. When choosing my major, I picked out half-a-dozen adults whom I considered key role models for both me as a person and for society and began to analyze which CAFNR major would open the most doors to accomplishments as great, if not greater than, their own. As an Agricultural Economics major, I look forward to utilizing my recently acquired skills to meet and overcome challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead in my line of work and subsequently pursue the ultimate goal of success more efficiency and effectively.

What CAFNR opportunities have you taken advantage of?

Ever since Fall Round-Up my freshman year, the opportunities provided by CAFNR continue to flood through my mind and across my desk. This college has activities and opportunities to meet just about any facet of interest imaginable. I continue to grasp a hold of social, academic, competitive, professional, service, leadership, outreach, employment, athletic, research, and innovative opportunities offered through CAFNR, just to name a few. Internship, study abroad, on-campus research, and club leadership opportunities are, by far, the top tier of opportunities presented by CAFNR and I encourage each and every student to take part in these. I credit CAFNR for a multitude of recent triumphs in my life, whether it be early development within my future industry of occupation, or as simple as applying new skills and techniques to improve the family farm.

What is your favorite CAFNR memory so far?

My favorite CAFNR memory so far has to be training and traveling with the 2011 MU Soil Judging Team. Trust me, when Dr. Miles first mentioned the soil judging team in class, I was having thoughts similar to what is likely running through your head right now. But curiosity never failed to kill the tiger. Sure enough, those two or three months of learning, collaboration, and growth as a team culminated into an unforgettable experience and hands-on education as we expressed our Tiger Pride at the regional competition in Pierre, S.D.

What has been your favorite CAFNR class and why?

I consider AgEc 2183: The Agricultural Marketing System my favorite class in CAFNR thus far. Taught by Dr. Kevin Moore, this course does a stellar job of pulling together a multitude of industry components and activities into a model that accurately and logically describes stages in the production of a good or product. Addressing the course’s theme, “the Agricultural Marketing Channel,” Dr. Moore brings together a clearer understanding of inputs, production, wholesaling, transportation, processing, retailing, etc., by relating it all back to the simple notion of a marketing flow. If you are a student like me who has grown up around only one, maybe two, stage(s) of production in the ag industry, and want to gain a better grasp on the big picture, this class is for you.

What is your advice to potential CAFNR students?

First of all, I can assure you that joining the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri is one of the best decisions you will make in your lifetime. Take a few minutes to read through the major descriptions on CAFNR’s website and find a major that has a list of “required classes” that gets you excited. With the multitude of majors to choose from within CAFNR, there is no reason why anyone shouldn’t have passion and excitement for their area of study.

CAFNR is unique because…

CAFNR is unique in the way it culminates so many dynamics into a single college. CAFNR is, without a doubt, the complete package. As a student of CAFNR you will find achievement-driven faculty, staff, and students; up-to-date, applicable course material; a family atmosphere; opportunities around every corner; payoffs that far exceed expectations; and the preparation and training to successfully revolutionize any post-collegiate endeavor one might choose to pursue.

How will CAFNR give you an edge in the work force?

CAFNR students undoubtedly possess an edge among other college graduates as they enter the work force. By the time you make it through your third or fourth year at CAFNR, you are far from being “wet behind the ears.” Preparation, real-world personal understanding, networking, and hands-on experience, as well an array of additional qualities gained and developed while in the college puts a stamp on CAFNR students’ heads that reads “HIRE ME” to today’s employers. The internship opportunities, study abroad offerings, professional career fair events, etc., all play enormous roles in putting the spotlight on CAFNR graduates who have proven themselves as some of the most attractive free-agents on the market today.

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