Today feels like it might really be the third day of spring! Spring is welcome every year, but especially in 2021, after a long year of social distancing.

A special welcome to our colleagues in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (NEP) and Personal Financial Planning (PFP) as they transition to CAFNR in the coming months. We are proud to welcome new colleagues, students and alumni to CAFNR. We are working with Jill Kanaley, NEP professor and interim chair, and Jung Ha-Brookshire, PFP department chair, to facilitate a smooth transition.

I enjoyed a variety of CAFNR events in late February, including CAFNR Unlimited Reimagined and the dedication of the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory. Both of these virtual events were very meaningful! Thanks to all of you who supported these events, whether by attending or donating. Kudos as well to CAFNR International Programs and Kristin Bilyeu for hosting the first successful virtual Missouri Youth Institute for high school students March 1-2. A new YouTube channel will be launched soon with video from the event and more.

This past month has included many opportunities to visit with colleagues in academia and industry. I participated in the Joint CARET (Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching) and AHS (Administrative Heads Section) meetings Feb. 26 and March 1-2; the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) Directors Meeting on March 4; the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City Board Meeting on March 11; and the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Board Meeting March 18-19. I will attend the Missouri Innovation Center Board Meeting yet this week. Annual meetings with our Research Center Advisory Boards continue through the spring.

I was honored to be part of this spring’s joint seminar series between MU and China Agricultural University (CAU). We share a research center for water, plants and the environment with this group of talented collaborators. Each seminar features a researcher from both CAFNR and CAU. I encourage everyone to attend as you are able.

I enjoy my meetings with CAFNR leaders, including those with our student leaders. Last week I met with CAFNR Student Council President Elizabeth Gunter who represents our college well. It was great getting to know her.

On March 12, Shibu Jose and I enjoyed recognizing 10 CAFNR researchers with the highest total shared credit research expenditures over the past 10 years. It was rewarding to chat with each of them (virtually) and share our thanks for their contributions to our college’s research enterprise. What a phenomenal group of innovators! We also recognized them with Drivers of Distinction awards as they are helping drive our strategic priorities forward. See the Flickr album of us virtually “presenting” each of these 10 researchers with their honors.

I encourage faculty members to attend the MU Spring 2021 Virtual General Faculty meeting this Wednesday, March 24, at 3:30 p.m. Our CAFNR March faculty/staff meeting is also scheduled for this week, virtually – Thursday, March 25, at 3:30 p.m., and will include presentations by Rob Kallenbach, associate dean for Extension in CAFNR; and Michelle Enger, director of marketing & communications for CAFNR. Keep an eye out for the Zoom link from Teresa Davis via Outlook Calendar. We will close out our CAFNR spring faculty/staff meetings on April 21.

I invite everyone to help CAFNR celebrate Women’s History Month by learning more about notable women in agriculture, food and natural resources. I have learned a lot from this series and encourage all of you to do the same! Africa Hub’s celebration of Women’s History Month with Elizabeth Asiedu speaking on the gender gap in education and employment in Sub-Saharan African is available now on Facebook.

Enjoy a relaxing spring break next week, whether you take some time off or enjoy a quieter time on campus.

CAFNR Proud,

Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D.
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean

Pengyin Chen, who holds the David M. Haggard Endowed Professorship in Soybean Breeding at the Fisher Delta Research Center, recently received the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) Pinnacle Award, the ASA’s highest honor. Chen was honored during the ASA Awards Program virtual broadcast on Tuesday, Mar. 16. The Pinnacle Award provides industry-wide recognition of individuals who have demonstrated lifetime contribution and exemplary long-time leadership within the soybean family and industry.

The Deaton Institute for University Leadership in International Development is excited to invite you to the inaugural “Within Reach” conference, with the theme of Zero Hunger, hosted April 12-15, 2021. This virtual conference features renowned World Food Prize Laureates, international food security powerhouses, scientists, business executives and many others. This conference will inspire, empower and challenge students, educators and professionals to be change-makers to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, with the focus being on Zero Hunger. To register and for more information on the conference, please visit deaton-institute.missouri.edu/withinreach/.

CAFNR now has a LinkedIn page! CAFNR Marketing & Communications recently launched a new LinkedIn page for the college. In a few short weeks, we have already found it’s a great place to highlight our research innovations and professional achievements. Follow CAFNR on LinkedIn to engage with your colleagues.

Mizzou’s Office of International Student & Scholarship Services has created a digital welcome folder for international students with information and resources. Please share with international students you are recruiting or advising.

The Cambio Center has shared on YouTube videos of its past event, “Expressions of (In)Visible Bodies: Afro-Latinx American Writers.” See the presentations here.