Paxton Dahmer selected as a 2020-21 National FFA Officer

The University of Missouri has set five strategic enrollment management goals for our campus to be attained by 2023. One of these goals is to ensure that 95% of undergraduate and graduate/professional students are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. To check on CAFNR’s progress toward this goal, please visit the Career Outcomes page. Results can be filtered by school/college and by class year.

Go Global! campaign preparing students for future study abroad experiences and virtual internships

Explore many facets of agricultural and life sciences with this flexible degree in Agriculture. Students are able to tailor a course of study to their interests, whether in production agriculture, life sciences or natural resources. They can choose concentration areas from 11 of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ degree programs to create their own unique college experience.

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in agriculture? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study?

Initially, agriculture was not my intended major, but I am glad that I ended up here! After touring Mizzou and meeting with the agricultural education faculty, I was sold. The professors genuinely cared about my well-being and career goal as an agriculture teacher. However, life had something else planned for me. Being a highly indecisive person, I decided that agricultural education was not for me and I ended up going through two major changes after I left agricultural education. I eventually found myself in the major agriculture, and looking back, I would not change this decision! The major is highly flexible and allows you to sample the different majors that CAFNR offers. What I enjoy most about the major is that you become well-versed in multiple disciplines and you can tailor the degree to your preference. For example, my concentrations include plant science, environmental science and agriculture leadership, and so I have chosen the three majors that best complement my career goals. I knew the University of Missouri and CAFNR had the best faculty in the Midwest, and I am so glad I found my home within my university, college and major.

How have you used resources in the CAFNR Academic Programs Office (student services, career services, advising, study abroad)? What was your experience like?  

Here in CAFNR, we are very lucky to have an outstanding staff that work tirelessly to ensure that the well-being of students is priority number one. I have been fortunate to have an advisor that is invested in my career goals, my mental health and career goals. I have also utilized CAFNR Career Services to enhance my resume and prepare me for important interviews. I cannot thank the CAFNR Office of Academic Programs enough for making CAFNR my home away from home.

CAFNR’s RISE Initiative encourages students to have a variety of extracurricular experiences during their time at Mizzou (Research, International, Service Learning, Experiential Learning). What parts of the RISE initiative have you taken advantage of so far, and which do you plan to? What have you enjoyed about these experiences?

I have been fortunate to take part in the Research aspect of CAFNR’s RISE initiative. During my freshman year I participated in the Freshman Research in Plants (FRIPS) Program where I conducted research with my mentor Dr. Deborah Finke and her graduate students. My project was looking at the effects of drought-stressed hosts (Rhopalosiphum padi) on parasitoid wasp behavior (Aphidius colemani). Specifically, I analyzed the interactions of antennation, stinging, and the reproductive rate of Aphidius colemani on Rhopalosiphum padi that were subjected to specific levels of drought. The research has important implications to the agriculture industry as it allows us to predict insect outbreaks, and the effectiveness of the reproductive capability of parasitoid wasps. My mentor and graduate students were very helpful, attentive, and treated me as their own. The FRIPS Program allowed me to participate in Mizzou Life Sciences Week where I presented my research. I received third place in the poster competition; however, I owe it all to the wonderful individuals that cheered me on through every aspect.

What has been your favorite activity or experience of being a CAFNR student?

My favorite experience being a CAFNR student is connecting with prospective students. Being a CAFNR Ambassador has allowed me to connect with students from across the country and share with them not only my experience, but also listen to theirs. It is important to recognize and understand different backgrounds and experiences others have faced to become more aware of the world that we live in. Having the opportunity for prospective students to be open and honest with me is an absolute eye-opening experience that I appreciate and cherish.

CAFNR is hosting CAFNR Major Nights from Nov. 17-19, where interested middle and high school students will learn about CAFNR degree courses, clubs and careers with current students, faculty and advisors in a 45-minute virtual panel. The CAFNR Office of Academic Programs invited students through email, worked with agriculture teachers across the state and used CAFNR social media to promote the event.

• Abby Bertz, a senior agribusiness management major, was recently recognized in the October Mid America CropLife Association newsletter. Bertz was one of 11 students from across the country selected to the Young Leaders Scholarship Program. Sponsored by the Mid America CropLife Association, the program is designed to help students looking to pursue a future in agriculture at land-grant universities around the country. Recipients are given a $2,000 scholarship to aid with tuition and usually attend the association’s annual meeting.
• The Advisors Forum Sunshine Statements were created to recognize advising colleagues who have demonstrated the qualities associated with outstanding undergraduate student advising. CAFNR has three advisors featured in the October Sunshine Statements:
  • Laura Friedrich, senior student service coordinator, CAFNR Office of Academic Programs
    “Laura cares so deeply for CAFNR students AND her colleagues and is always thinking of creative ways to work through these times. Just one example: Her ideas for recognizing dean’s list and graduates over social media in SP20 were some of the College’s most liked/shared posts. She is a calming, creative and thoughtful force. Thanks for always rolling with the punches, Laura!”
  • Jenna Fusinatto, academic advisor, School of Natural Resources
    “Jenna was a bright shining light during the MACADA conference. Several people were having trouble with technology. Jenna joked that she would put on a different hat to fix the problem. It might have been a joke, but it was really helpful.”
  • Megan McCauley, student service coordinator, CAFNR Office of Academic Programs
    “I’m shining a light on Megan McCauley. She put in SO much time, work and dedication to get our faculty and professional advisors ready for Summer Welcome 2020. Individual Zoom sessions, MU Connect questions, e-files, etc. … your work was noticed!”