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The bravery of a crocus breaking through the snow, with daffodils soon to follow, serves as a reminder that spring is coming! This is a lively, exciting time at Mizzou as we enjoy more sunshine and warmer temperatures, and wrap up a challenging semester. Recently, I enjoyed visiting with the Forage Systems Research Center advisory board members in Linneus; presenting to the new ALOT (Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow) class here on campus; and seeing Sarah Parker Pauley, a Mizzou alum and director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, receive the Carnahan Public Service Award from the Mizzou Truman School of Public Affairs. CAFNR faculty members Randy Prather and Melissa Mitchum, along with Marshall Stewart, presented last week at the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City’s Ag Innovation Forum at the American Royal. I was proud to represent our college at the forum, after attending the GICL (Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership) board meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. GICL is led by Dr. Michael Cook and Kristi Livingston of DASS, and the program provides executive education to cooperative leaders around the world. The future of agriculture in Missouri is bright with exceptional leaders like these. Speaking of outstanding leaders, we are honored to welcome Kellie Bray to CAFNR as an Executive-in-Residence on Thursday, Feb. 21, and Friday, Feb. 22. Kellie is Chief of Staff for CropLife America. We appreciate Kellie taking time from her busy schedule to visit with our students, faculty and staff! The recent Missouri Legislative Update Breakfast here in Columbia last week provided a great opportunity to visit with our local delegation. I look forward to attending the University of Missouri Legislative Day Showcase in Jefferson City later this week. Provost Latha Ramchand invited MU leadership to participate in a Diversity and Inclusion Workshop on campus next week, and later this month I will be visiting with CAFNR leaders, the Provost and the campus chief financial officer about our budget for the next fiscal year. Both of these priorities are incredibly important to the success of our college. I will provide an update on the Food, Beverage and Forest Product Manufacturing Initiative – the first Grand Idea to come from our Strategic Planning process – at our first spring CAFNR faculty and staff meeting this Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Jesse Wrench Auditorium (S107 Memorial Union). Director Jinglu Tan will inform the college about our Division of Food Systems and Bioengineering, sharing details of FSBE’s people, programs and partnership. I hope you will join us! The annual CAFNR Unlimited banquet and auctions are this Saturday in Jefferson City. This is always a fun event where I look forward to visiting with our dedicated alumni and supporters. I am so grateful for the network of support we enjoy – including all of you! Thank you for all that you do for our college! CAFNR Proud! Christopher R. Daubert
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean |
