When Shibu Jose was named the interim associate dean for research in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) in late 2018, one of his first goals was to develop a CAFNR Research Council. The council would be made up of faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students, and would help share and spread CAFNR’s…
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Diving Deeper Into Regenerative Agriculture
CAFNR, partners forming Center for Regenerative Agriculture
The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) is going to dive deeper into regenerative agriculture by forming a new Center for Regenerative Agriculture. While there is no single definition for regenerative agriculture, some key elements of the practice include increasing soil health and biodiversity, integrating a mix of conservation practices, and contributing to overall sustainability and…
CAFNR Office of Research Recognizes Drivers of Distinction
The CAFNR Office of Research recently recognized 10 faculty members as Drivers of Distinction. The honor was given to the faculty members, listed below, who had the highest total shared credit research expenditures over the past 10 years (2011-20). David Diamond – director, Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (School of Natural Resources) Felix Fritschi – C. Alice Donaldson Professor in Bioenergy…
Cultivating Diversity & Inclusion
An update from Dean Daubert and Dr. Halsey
Nearly six months ago, we charged our CAFNR divisions and programs to commit to specific actions to increase cultural awareness and understanding throughout our college and campus. We share this update to our progress. Cultivating a Diverse and Inclusive Community is a strategic priority identified in our CAFNR Drive to Distinction strategic plan. We appreciate how our CAFNR units responded…
Joining a Prestigious Organization
Shibu Jose selected as 2020 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Growing up on a small agroforestry farm in India, Shibu Jose found an interest in the land management practice, which combines both agriculture and forestry, at an early age. That interest in agroforestry morphed into a passion as Jose began his bachelor’s degree in forestry at Kerala Agricultural University in Kerala, India. Jose, now the associate dean in the CAFNR…
Genevieve Howard Receives Outstanding Staff Award as Part of 2020 Celebration of Excellence
Genevieve Howard, web and social media strategist in the CAFNR Office of Marketing and Communications, received the Outstanding Staff Award as part of CAFNR’s virtual 2020 Celebration of Excellence awards celebration. Howard joined CAFNR 14 years ago, after working two years in the College of Education. She received a Master’s in Education: Information Science and Learning Technologies in 2008 from…
Remembering the Legacy of Dr. William Danforth
Dr. Danforth helped build partnerships that have strengthened the field of plant sciences in Missouri and beyond
The passing of William H. “Bill” Danforth, M.D., last week at age 94 brought to the spotlight his work in academic administration, medicine and science, and outreach in the St. Louis area. His contributions also can be felt here at the University of Missouri. Dr. Danforth, chancellor emeritus of Washington University, was the founding chairman of the Donald Danforth Plant…
Realizing His Dream
Nasruddeen (Nas) Al-Awwal named George Washington Carver Graduate Fellow
While Nasruddeen (Nas) Al-Awwal was less than a year old when his family moved from Missouri back to their home in Nigeria, he always had a desire to come back to the Show-Me State. Al-Awwal was born at University Hospital in Columbia, Mo., and just a few months later his father finished his degree at Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Mo.)…
Keeping Consumers Safe
MU Extension and partners offer online training for Midwest produce growers
Produce contamination accounts for an estimated 46% of foodborne illnesses across the United States each year — a serious issue affecting health, the economy and society as a whole. Even in the midst of the current pandemic, safety training for produce farmers is not only vital, but required for many, said MU Extension horticulture field specialist Patrick Byers. To combat contamination issues, the federal…
A Lifelong Learner
Darcy Wells retires as CAFNR senior executive director for advancement after 30-plus-year career in higher education
As Darcy Wells looks back on her 30-plus-year career in higher education, the majority of which took place at the University of Missouri, there’s one experience she does her best to overlook – a year at the University of Kansas. “It’s a little bit of an unmentionable experience that I definitely get a lot of grief for,” Wells joked. “Honestly,…