Welcome back to our beautiful, historic campus! It’s truly energizing to see our campus come alive again with the enthusiasm of students, faculty, and staff engaging in meaningful learning and discovery.

This summer, our academic advisors welcomed more than 750 new students to the college. These students join more than 2,000 returning students, bringing this fall’s enrollment to the fifth highest in our college’s history – an exciting milestone.

As we begin a new academic year, I encourage you to explore the many opportunities offered through the CAFNR Experience. What will be your “signature experience”? Perhaps you will:

• Collaborate with faculty on a research project focused on cultivating healthy food systems, economies, environments, people, and animals.
• Study abroad through one of our 20+ international programs.
• Participate in a service-learning project through your academic program or a student organization.
• Gain hands-on experience through internships, clinical or fieldwork, or by working in one of CAFNR’s student-operated retail businesses.

And why stop at just one? You are encouraged to take part in as many signature experiences as you can during your time at Mizzou!

Our recent graduates set an inspiring example – 80% completed over 1,000 signature experiences across the areas of Research, International, Service Learning, and Experiential Learning (R.I.S.E.). Nearly half engaged in industry internships, while 18% participated in study abroad programs.

Think ahead: What signature experience will you highlight when talking with future employers?

I also encourage you to get involved beyond the classroom. Join one of CAFNR’s 40+ student clubs and organizations, where you can connect with peers who share your interests and career goals. Consider stepping into a leadership role – many of our organizations offer valuable opportunities for career development, leadership growth, and community service.

We’re excited to see what you will accomplish this year. Welcome to another incredible semester in CAFNR.

Mizzou-Rah!

Bryan Garton
Senior Associate Dean
Director of Academic Programs

Students are invited to learn more about the 40-plus CAFNR clubs and organizations during the CAFNR Fall Round-Up event at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, in the Trowbridge Event Center. Each of CAFNR’s 14 degree programs have activities tailored to its students, in addition to many college-wide opportunities. Getting involved is a great way to expand on classroom learning, meet others with similar interests — and have some fun along the way!

CAFNR administrators, faculty, staff, current students and alumni helped welcome our incoming students for Fall 2025 on Friday, Aug. 22. Students packed Conservation Hall and took home a padfolio from the CAFNR Alumni Association, information about Study Abroad, Career Development, CAFNR Advising and Scholarships, as well as a coupon for a free scoop of Buck’s Ice Cream!

The Fall CAFNR/Arts and Science Career & Internship Expo is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 12 – 4 p.m. in the Mizzou Rec Center (note location change from last year). Connect with companies eager to hire Mizzou CAFNR Tigers! Explore full-time and internship opportunities for all majors at Mizzou.

• Visit Handshake to see employers.
• Download the Career Fair Plus App from the App Store or Google Play to access employers, job openings and the majors they’re recruiting. The app will also provide a fair map about a week before the event.

Kiersten Rogers, a sophomore from Fairview Heights, Illinois, majoring in animal sciences, served as a Summer Welcome Leader.

Nigel Turner Jr., a sophomore from Raytown, Missouri, majoring in biochemistry, served as a Summer Welcome Leader.

Dylan Hoyt, a sophomore from Martinsburg, Missouri, majoring in plant sciences, served as a Summer Welcome Leader.

Student leaders from CAFNR prepared to gather in Sedalia, Missouri, to ensure the state’s largest agricultural expo runs smoothly.

Izzy Freymuth, senior in agricultural education – teacher certification, hosts a sheep showmanship camp on her farm each summer.

Drake Minear (B.S. Agricultural Systems Management '18) and his wife Kaylee (Michael) Minear (B.S. Elementary Education '18) graduated from Mizzou and returned to the farm.

• Mathew Kimaku, Mizzou undergraduate majoring in health science and nutrition & exercise physiology, was chosen as one of seven recipients across the university system of the Remington R. Williams Award. In honor of Remington R. Williams, student representative to the UM Board of Curators from 2020 until his death in June 2022, the award recognizes exceptional student leaders who excel in and out of the classroom with the utmost integrity across the UM System. Recipients must display a positive impact on our institution, inspire growth and development of their fellow students in both academics and extracurricular activities, and always exhibit outstanding character and a collaborative spirit.
• Blake Arciga, senior biochemistry major, was awarded the American Association for Cancer Research Undergraduate Scholar Award for his work in Satyanarayana Rachagani’s veterinary medicine and surgery lab.
• Mackenna Rodgers (B.S. Biochemistry ’25) was selected to participate in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.The prestigious award provides scholarships for recent graduates, graduate students and young professionals to undertake research, study or teaching abroad. The program aims to promote cross-cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.
• The University of Missouri Torq’N Tigers had two teams competing in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition this summer. The X-Team finished 3rd in their category after redesigning at least 30% of last year’s tractor. The A-Team placed 3rd in durability after building this year’s tractor from the ground up.
• The Cherng Summer Scholars program allows Honors College students at the University of Missouri to explore their passions through research projects aimed at questions they are interested in analyzing.This year’s CAFNR scholars include:
  • Ava Fleury – Biochemistry
  • Nick Ice – Biochemistry
  • Catilin Mattingly – Biochemistry
  • Zach Wright – Biochemistry
• The MU Student American Institute of Floral Designers (SAIFD) Chapter placed 2nd in the nation in the student competition during the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium in Palm Springs, July 12-15.