RISE ⋅ Page 1

Norfleet Selected as National FFA Officer Candidate

CAFNR Student Grant Norfleet will represent Missouri FFA at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, Nov. 1-4.

When Grant Norfleet graduated from Mexico High School, he chose to attend Mizzou because it was “far away enough to get the college experience but close enough to keep mom and dad happy.” Now in his senior year as an agricultural education, communication and leadership major with minors in agribusiness management and digital storytelling, Norfleet has gained much more from…

Blackmore Named to CAFNR International Education Committee After Study Abroad Experience in Austria

Hanna Blackmore is now passionate about encouraging other CAFNR students to get outside the country and outside their comfort zone.

When she began her time at Mizzou, Hanna Blackmore had not considered studying abroad, but in a moment of boredom waiting outside of an animal sciences class, she wandered up to Shanon Dickerson at a CAFNR Study Abroad table. “She encouraged me to sign up but in the back of my mind I was like ‘that’s never going to happen,’”…

Two-Time Champs – MU Animal Sciences Quadrathlon Team Take Home National Title Once Again

Aliyah Luntsford, Catriona Chew, Caleigh Grote and Alexia Sweiger represented the MU Animal Sciences in a rigorous test of their technical knowledge at the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) National Meeting in Albuquerque, N.M.  

The Animal Sciences academic quadrathlon consists of a laboratory practicum, scientific presentation, written exam and quiz bowl. For the second year in a row, the MU Animal Sciences department has taken home gold in both the regional competition in Madison, Wis., and the national competition. Each year, the animal sciences department holds a Mizzou level contest to decide what students…

Doing to Learn: Creating Opportunities Through the CAFNR Experience

Incoming freshman Sam Tummons is ready to expand his horizons as a CAFNR student and Missouri State FFA President

For incoming freshman Sam Tummons, helping other people learn and succeed has always been the “why” behind his decisions. This year, Tummons will embark on a journey to help others learn and grow both as the Missouri State FFA President and a student in the Agricultural Education program in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. As a student…

Past and Present CAFNR Students Learn and Grow at the Missouri State Fair

Since 1901, the Missouri State Fair has been ‘Where Traditions Grow,’ and CAFNR students have also grown their skills and network at the yearly ‘ag family reunion’

The fairgrounds in Sedalia become a summer home to youth livestock exhibitors, agriculture education teachers, and agriculture industry professionals for 11 days each year. For many Missouri State Fair participants, CAFNR also has been a part of their life and their fair experience both inside and outside of the Mizzou Central building. For Clint Bailey, rising senior majoring in agriculture…

Where Science and Agriculture Intersect: Life Sciences Quest 2023

Life Sciences Quest gave high schoolers from across Missouri the opportunity to preview CAFNR's scientific opportunities 

Life Sciences Quest 2023 was held July 9-13 in partnership with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to help high school students learn about the intersection of science careers and agriculture in our daily lives. Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors participated in University of Missouri research farm tours, hands-on lab activities, and professional panel discussions during the four-day camp.…

An Immersive Learning Opportunity

Unique collaboration between three Mizzou Colleges offers environmental sciences students an opportunity to study weather through virtual reality

An exciting collaboration between three University of Missouri experts is opening the door to a unique learning opportunity for environmental sciences students, specifically those interested in studying weather. Eric Aldrich, Fang Wang and Xinhao Xu have combined their expertise in meteorology, virtual and augmented reality, and mixed-reality-based learning environments to help students gain a deeper understanding of mid-latitude cyclones, which…

Bleeding Black and Gold

Justin Sykes was recently hired as Mizzou softball's first director of player development, a position he will officially begin when he earns his parks, recreation, sport and tourism degree in August

Justin Sykes grew up donning the black and gold at numerous University of Missouri athletic events. Soon, Sykes will be sporting Mizzou colors as an official staff member of the softball team. Sykes has been interning with the softball team for two years and was recently hired as its first director of player development, a position he will officially begin…

From Student to Specialist

Nick Wesslak, who earned two degrees from CAFNR, is putting his education to use as an agronomy field specialist with MU Extension

As a high school student in Salem, Mo., Nick Wesslak was an active member of his local FFA chapter. That experience not only introduced him to the University of Missouri, it also showed him an interesting career path – one that he is now serving in with MU Extension. Wesslak earned two degrees from Mizzou – a bachelor’s degree in…

Enhancing Learning Opportunities

New funding brings state-of-the-art equipment to Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory

Two years ago, CAFNR recognized Henry Kirklin, a celebrated Black farmer and educator who lived in and around Columbia from 1858 until his death in 1938, with the naming of the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory (3-35 Agriculture Building). Plant sciences students have been able to benefit from the renovated space through a variety of courses and laboratory work.…