Every July is spent preparing for field days to showcase CAFNR research across the state, and this year is no exception. I appreciated the learning opportunities at our Bradford Research Center on July 8 for the Pest Management Field Day, and I know Science Night at Jefferson Farm and Garden is also sharing wonderful educational programming this summer. Our research centers are tremendous assets for CAFNR research, student education and public outreach and demonstrations. I am pleased that we have forward-thinking plans to keep our centers strong, long into the future. With input from internal and external audiences and other reports, the Moving AES Forward taskforce (Marshall Stewart, MU Extension, and Leslie Holloway, Missouri Farm Bureau) presented recommendations to President Choi for a restructuring of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station (MOAES) research centers. Last week Mizzou announced the plans for the restructuring; you can see more details about the plan on CAFNR’s website. I am confident this is the right plan to best serve Missouri agriculture and natural resources. These changes will help create a more robust, nimble, and stakeholder-relevant AES. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the plan. A few of my meetings this month have included time spent with Columbia-bound Swift Prepared Foods and the CAFNR Foundation, and at the Institute of Food Technologists Board of Directors meeting. I am thrilled to welcome our new colleagues in Personal Financial Planning, and Nutrition and Exercise Physiology in my first newsletter since they officially joined our college on July 1! We are glad you are here and are happy to help you in any way. We know the Missouri State Fair is approaching and that always quickly leads to the beginning of a new school year. I intend to enjoy some time with family in the weeks ahead, and hope you all can find time to do the same. CAFNR Proud, Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D.
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean |