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College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Dean’s Monthly Newsletter // October 2020
Month in Review
 (click to read)

It is wonderful to see fall come to campus, even when everything else seems different this academic year. We have had spectacular weather of late, and I hope you were able to enjoy some of the virtual homecoming festivities last week. Homecoming traditions are special at Mizzou, and the celebration will continue through the end of the month due to the football game postponement.

I have been meeting virtually with colleagues across the country in different capacities this month. I was named “chair-elect” for the North Central Section of the APLU Administrative Heads Section Executive Committee at their meeting on Oct. 1. Last week I participated in a call with deans of Midwest colleges of agriculture to discuss the handling of COVID-related issues on our campuses. Also last week, I attended the 2020 Conservation Partners Virtual Roundtable sponsored by our partners in the Missouri Department of Conservation, as well as the 2020 Borlaug Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) Communication Award Presentation. This week, as a member of the Institute of Food Technologists Board of Directors, I will participate in a strategic planning meeting. And next week, as a CAST Board of Trustees member, I’ll virtually engage in their annual meeting.

Thank you to our CAFNR Alumni Association board and our director of alumni relations, Kaleigh Summers, for allowing me to kick off their virtual CAFNR Conversations lunchtime webinar series earlier this month! I was amazed by the quantity and quality of the questions our alumni had for me. This series will be a great opportunity for our alumni to learn more about their college. Also, I am thrilled to announce that next week we will be honoring the 2020 recipients of our CAFNR Column Awards, albeit virtually. Please keep an eye on CAFNR’s website and social media outlets to learn about the six alumni chosen for this prestigious honor, Oct. 27-29.

As always, I look forward to seeing our CAFNR students this week at the Student Council meeting.

I am thankful for everyone who participated in the candidate interviews for the Division of Plant Sciences director position over the past few weeks. Your feedback is very helpful to the selection process. Last week I joined the Division of Applied Social Sciences (again, virtually!) for a faculty meeting. And next week, I’ve been invited to speak with Extension field specialists at the Plant Sciences Extension ISE event.

Tomorrow we will enjoy our last virtual field day (South Farm Research Center) brought to us by our CAFNR Agricultural Research Centers. Thanks to everyone who worked to bring those field days to life, including Research Center and Experiment Station staff and researchers, and our communications team. You can find landing pages for all of the events here – I am certain everyone will find something of interest in the videos by our talented researchers. As a follow-up to the virtual field days, I’ve been meeting with our Research Center superintendents and advisory board chairs, as well.

I hope you might consider participating in Mizzou’s United Way campaign this fall. United Way benefits so many worthy organizations in our community, and you are able to designate your donation directly to the philanthropies you would like to support. Even if you are not able to give this year, please take time to fill out the form and participate in that way (login with your pawprint to see the giving form). CAFNR has a tremendous record for high participation in Mizzou’s United Way campaign!

As a reminder, please take time to participate, as you are able, in the UM System’s Extension and Engagement Week Oct. 26-30. This week-long celebration — with events from all four UM System campuses — will showcase the impact of Extension programming and university engagement.

Unfortunately, we will not be holding our annual Novemberfest event this year. Seeing you and expressing my appreciation to you just before Thanksgiving has been a big highlight of my fall in years past! Please know that I will miss celebrating you and celebrating with you.

CAFNR Proud,

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

@CAFNRDean
CAFNR Dean
@CAFNRDean

Thanks to our @cafnralumni and all who joined me today for the first of many CAFNR Conversations. I so appreciate the chance to connect with you. I appreciate all the submitted questions, and I will be responding to each and everyone. Stay tuned! #CAFNRproud #Mizzou

2:51 PM - Oct 6, 2020
Tiger Roars!

Congratulations to the recipients of recent Driver to Distinction awards:

  • Lesleighan Cravens, instructor, plant sciences, for her contributions to student learning.
  • Craig Roberts, professor, plant sciences, for his work as the Extension Education Director in Plant Sciences.

Six high school students who attended the Missouri Youth Institute last spring were chosen to go on to the Global Youth Institute (GYI) as part of this year’s virtual World Food Prize activities. Only 200 students from around the world are chosen each year to participate in the GYI. Chosen students included:

  • Carly Youngblood, Monroe City
  • Stephanie Njeri, Lutheran North (St. Louis)
  • Schyler Angell, Centralia
  • Ida Fan, Lindbergh (St. Louis)
  • Sarah George, Chesterfield (St. Louis)
  • Annamarie Stone, Centralia

The Missouri Youth Institute is hosted at Mizzou by CAFNR, Missouri 4-H and Missouri FFA each spring and brings students from around the state to Columbia to engage with local leaders and experts on critical global challenges, participate in hands-on activities, and explore exciting ways to make a difference in Missouri and around the world. The Global Youth Institute allows students to interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates and discuss pressing food security and agricultural issues with international experts. At GYI, student delegates present and discuss their findings with international experts and their peers, connect with other students from around the world and take part in symposium discussions with global leaders in science, industry and policy.

Of Note

Help Students Go Global!
CAFNR Study Abroad is helping students ‘GO GLOBAL!’ For students looking to add a global course or virtual international dimension their degree, CAFNR is offering opportunities for them to learn and understand a new culture, prepare for a future study abroad or participate in an internship from the comforts of home. Contact Shanon Dickerson, CAFNR Director of Study Abroad, for more information on CAFNR’s ‘Go Global!’ opportunities.

  • Online section of AFNR 2191: International Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (humanities; graded A-F). Fall 2020 application deadline: Oct. 21.
  • Virtual course or internship opportunity in Australia, Austria, Costa Rica, Italy and more! Spring 2021 application deadline: Nov. 1.
  • Minor in International Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Six hours of international coursework can be applied.