What a semester it was here in CAFNR! We have a lot to be proud of in our college.

• We launched our Strategic Plan, Drive to Distinction, after more than a year of hard work and planning, and debuted a video to share that vision – I hope you will take a few minutes to watch it, if you haven’t already (or watch it again!)
• We celebrated Mary Hendrickson, assistant professor, rural sociology, and Laura McCann, professor, agricultural and applied economics, who were named Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant recipients; Peter Motavalli, professor of soil nutrition management, receiving a Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence; the election of Tom Spencer, Curators Distinguished Professor, animal sciences, to the National Academy of Sciences; and Gary Stacey, Curators Distinguished Professor, plant sciences, being honored with the 2019 UM System President’s Award for Sustained Career Excellence.
• We are proud of Sterling Evans, junior in plant sciences, who received a 2019 Goldwater Scholarship; and of John Meckles, sophomore in food science and nutrition, who was the recipient of a 2019 Gilman Scholarship.
• We are thrilled about the recent success of a company founded on CAFNR research. A plant-based protein technology developed by researchers in CAFNR’s Division of Food Systems & Bioengineering led to the formation of Beyond Meat, a company that recently had the best initial public offering (IPO) debut this year.

And, of course, this past weekend we graduated 515 students at our CAFNR commencement ceremony. I always say that graduation is the best day in the life of a university. It was a wonderful day! I appreciate Gov. Mike Parson, President Mun Choi and Chancellor Alexander Cartwright speaking to our graduates and their families.

I have enjoyed sharing our Strategic Plan with friends of the college this spring, including our generous donors at the Monticello Society Brunch, and the CAFNR Foundation and other agricultural stakeholders at a recent joint luncheon at MFA, Inc.

Of course, we continue to work through budget challenges as well this spring. We will keep working together as we adjust to the new budget model released last week. I have no doubt CAFNR will remain strong as we drive to distinction together.

Thank you to all of you for a wonderful semester. We appreciate everything you do for CAFNR every day! I hope you enjoy a (slightly more!) relaxing summer.

CAFNR Proud!

Christopher R. Daubert
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean

The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, which through close collaboration with Congress has helped to shape U.S. farm policy, will celebrate its 35th anniversary in summer 2019.

The National Swine Resource and Research Center has exceeded $1 million in revenue since its inception.

Don’t Miss

CAFNR Faculty/Staff/Graduate Student Photo Sessions will now be held monthly at Mizzou’s Academic Support Center. CAFNR Communications is partnering with ASC to provide this new opportunity, with more sessions per semester than we were able to offer previously! The next photoshoot will be Thursday, May 23, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The studio is located in Room 18 at the Academic Support Center (ASC) at the corner of Stewart Road and 5th Street. There is a single parking place at the back entrance of the ASC from 5th Street. There is also usually metered parking available on Stewart Road and also on 5th Street. On the day of your shoot, signs will be up on all of the doors directing people to the studio. Contact Michelle Enger at 882-0232 or engerm@missouri.edu with any questions.

Help recognize the staff members who go beyond the call of duty in the workplace. Nominate staff members in your area for the CAFNR Above and Beyond Award, presented by CAFNR Staff Advisory Council. The form can be accessed online – nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, May 31. The award will be presented at the spring picnic on June 7.