From insects to cattle, from cotton to soybeans – the University of Missouri has Agricultural Research Centers across the state studying all areas of agriculture.
Of those research centers, which are spread throughout the state, eight have superintendents or directors who earned degrees from the University of Missouri. Those degrees range from Agronomy to Plant Sciences.
“By having superintendents from Mizzou, we benefit by them having knowledge of our operations, networks of individuals and knowledge about Missouri agriculture,” said John Poehlmann, assistant director of the Agricultural Research Centers. “Additionally, several of our superintendents are not only alums, but also worked, and maybe even did research, at some of our centers. This is a great help in viewing an issue from both sides of the table.”
Visit cafnr.org/field-days to learn when these alums and their Research Centers open the doors to the public this summer to share what they’ve learned over the past year. With centers across the state, there is surely one in your neck of the woods!
Bruce Burdick, Superintendent, Hundley-Whaley Research Center, Albany, Mo.
Bruce Burdick.What was your major while at CAFNR/Mizzou?
Biological Sciences (Bachelor’s – 1975) and Agronomy (Master’s – 1979)
What was your favorite CAFNR/Mizzou memory?
As a student, I remember the camaraderie and fellowship of my fellow graduate students in working on research projects. As a superintendent, I continue to enjoy communicating with farmers and the general public on our research work and the role of production agriculture.
What do you enjoy most about working for your alma mater?
I enjoy developing and evaluating new agronomic practices directly applicable to farmers. I also enjoy the personal interactions with farmers.
What would people be surprised to see or know about the Hundley-Whaley Research Center?
I think people would be surprised about the diversity of research we have going on at the Hundley-Whaley Research Center. That research includes crop genetics, fertility programs, sustainable agriculture, seed treatments, soil drainage and cover crops.
David Cope, Superintendent, Southwest Research Center, Mt. Vernon, Mo.
David Cope.What was your major while at CAFNR/Mizzou?
Agribusiness Management – 2001
What was your favorite CAFNR/Mizzou memory?
There are many great memories. I fondly remember those heated basketball games against Kansas in the Hearnes Center. My favorites memories are the friendships formed that will last a lifetime. Many of these people I stay in touch with often through CAFNR, industry meetings or other events.
What do you enjoy most about working for your alma mater?
I enjoy the opportunity to give back to the University where I had so many great memories. I have always had an inborn fondness for agriculture. To me, there are few occupations nobler than providing food and fiber for one’s fellow man. I am glad to be able to help those in production agriculture by working in a capacity with others within CAFNR to increase the efficiency of agricultural production.
What would people be surprised to see or know about the Southwest Research Center?
There are several things unique to the Southwest Research Center. It is on the edge of several different soil types. On the west side is more flat, prairie-type ground. On the north central part, there are rolling hills. On the east, there is bottomland along Spring River and some wetland areas. We have groves of walnut trees, pecan trees and pawpaws. We have elderberries and a vineyard with a variety of grape research being conducted, in addition to traditional cattle and forage research.
The Southwest Research Center is also unique in the transportation avenues on the property. In addition to Spring River and Interstate 44 running through the property, there is an airport and railroad that runs through the property. That doesn’t count the various state and county roads that traverse the place, either.
David Davis, Superintendent, Forage Systems Research Center, Linneus, Mo.
David Davis.What was your major while at CAFNR/Mizzou?
Agronomy (Master’s – 1988; Ph.D. – 1993)
What was your favorite CAFNR/Mizzou memory?
I don’t know if there is a favorite, but one thing that sticks out is how friendly everyone was when I began my Masters degree program at Mizzou. All of the professors, staff and students went out of their way to help you out. It was real easy to make new friends, especially with other graduate students. I remember having some really good times (both work-related and recreational) with other students. It seems like some of best were plant physiology students.
What do you enjoy most about working for your alma mater?
Originally, it was working alongside the individuals responsible for my education. Now, many of them are retired and I can help educate new students. I like being able to help students and farmers.
What would people be surprised to see or know about the Forage Systems Research Center?
This year is our 50th anniversary. University involvement and research began in 1965 on what was known, at the time, as the Cornett Farm. In 1981, the Forage Systems Research Center was donated to the University for the study and advancement of grassland agriculture. We have been conducting forage and beef systems research ever since.
Trent A. Haggard, Director, Fisher Delta Research Center, Portageville, Mo.
Trent Haggard.What was your major while at CAFNR/Mizzou?
General Agriculture – 1993
What was your favorite CAFNR/Mizzou memory?
Getting the experience and opportunity to study abroad in the humid tropics of Costa Rica was something I’ll never forget. We spent a full semester there. There were 11 of us, and we were the first group to get that opportunity.
What do you enjoy most about working for your alma mater?
I really enjoy having a measurable impact on the institution that I love. I have tremendous pride in the University of Missouri. Black and gold were my colors before I attended MU, and now I get to represent those colors every day. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.
What would people be surprised to see or know about the Fisher Delta Research Center?
I’m extremely proud of our long-term soybean breeding program that has been productive and proficient. The number of lines that we have developed is tremendous, especially considering our resources.
Dana Harder, Superintendent, Greenley Memorial Research Center, Novelty, Mo.
Dana Harder.What was your major while at CAFNR/Mizzou?
Plant Sciences – 2003
What was your favorite CAFNR/Mizzou memory?
My favorite memory was when I competed in the North Central Weed Science Contest on the Mizzou graduate team and we won first place. There was great camaraderie on the team and everyone was willing to help each other do their best.
What do you enjoy most about working for your alma mater?
After living across the Midwest for the last 12 years, it is good to get back to my hometown of Novelty and work for the Greenley Center that was important in my undergraduate development. It also has been good to re-establish and make new connections with people both at campus and locally.
What would people be surprised to see or know about the Greenley Memorial Research Center?
Most are surprised to learn that the Greenley Center is now comprised of three separate farms. There is the main farm in Novelty, but we also have 350 acres at the Ross Jones Farm located on State Highway 15 on the Knox/Shelby county line. Miss Greenley donated an additional 240 acres to the Greenley Center five miles south of Novelty upon her passing last December.
The Greenley Center is also well known nationally for its drainage and sub-irrigation research that Dr. Kelly Nelson has conducted over the last 15 years.
John Poehlmann, Assistant Director, Agricultural Research Centers/Director, Field Operations, based at South Farm Research Center, Columbia, Mo.
John Poehlmann (center).What was your major while at CAFNR/Mizzou?
Agricultural Education – 1972
What was your favorite CAFNR/Mizzou memory?
It might be when I was superintendent at Bradford and harvesting after dark when the moon was full. Or it might have been when my student workers painted the tour wagons before a field day.
What do you enjoy most about working for your alma mater?
When I began in 1978, I worked with many of the professors I had at Mizzou. Many of these are icons of their day and had significant impact on agriculture in their time. New faculty these days are so impressive and bright. Tools that they work with were not even dreams of the World War II veterans who were faculty when I began. From both groups, we get to see agriculture advance in its ability to feed and clothe the world.
What would people be surprised to see or know about the South Farm Research Center?
South Farm, as a laboratory, represents a place where millions of dollars are changed into discoveries by the research done here. Our most important crop is professionals for the next generation, and you will find them in all facets of the work done at South Farm. Our fields, cattle, hogs and crops look different from lab benches, but they serve the same purpose.
Tim Reinbott, Superintendent, Bradford Research Center, Columbia, Mo.
Tim Reinbott.What was your major while at CAFNR/Mizzou?
Agronomy (Bachelor’s – 1984; Master’s – 1986)
What was your favorite CAFNR/Mizzou memory?
As an undergraduate, I remember the agronomy picnic. That was my first introduction to the faculty and staff. I actually met my future wife at that event.
What do you enjoy most about working for your alma mater?
The camaraderie that we have is great. I feel like everyone at CAFNR is a big family, and that’s neat. I’m proud to be a part of the University of Missouri.
What would people be surprised to see or know about the Bradford Research Center?
We have everything from corn to shrimp. It’s really unique, and we try to keep it that way. We try to give people ownership of what they’re doing. If you can do that, people will go beyond their normal means.
Dusty Walter, Superintendent, Wurdack Research Center, Cook Station, Mo.
Dusty Walter.What was your major while at CAFNR/Mizzou?
Forestry (Bachelor’s – 1996; Master’s – 2000; Ph.D. – 2011)
What was your favorite CAFNR/Mizzou memory?
I’ve enjoyed the professors that I’ve gotten to work with. I’ve had a lot of fun times with (CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean) Thomas Payne. He’s a unique individual. He’s got a little bit of an ornery side to him that plays well with all of us.
What do you enjoy most about working for your alma mater?
There are several answers to this question, but I really enjoy using my education, doing what I have a passion for and getting to work with students. I know what we do is going to be far reaching.
What would people be surprised to see or know about the Wurdack Research Center?
Brent Booker, our farm manager, is the one full-time employee that we have. He does an inordinate amount of work. His assistance is essential to how that farm operates and runs. What the farm looks like – it would probably surprise people to know that just one man is behind that.