Rick Relyea joins Mizzou program July 1, 2025, from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

I enjoyed visiting Tiger Garden earlier this week for a tour of their Valentine’s Day preparations! They even let me de-thorn a few roses. What an incredible learning opportunity for students — with great floral and gift options for your sweetheart!

I was proud to present the prestigious Binsted Lecture in London in January, representing the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and speaking on “The Future of Food Science Education.” The event was a collaboration between IFT’s British Section, the Food and Drink Federation, the Institute of Food Science and Technology, and Campden BRI, a global leader in food and drink science and research. See photo above.

Please plan to join us next Wednesday, Feb. 19, for the first of our three spring CAFNR faculty/staff meetings. We will hear from the following presenters (including a welcome and update from me!) beginning at 3 p.m. in 2-6 Agriculture Building:

• Kerry Clark, CAFNR International Programs
• Matt Fleming, Staff Advisory Council
• Steven Van Doren, Faculty Policy Committee
• Harvey James, Division of Applied Social Sciences
• Rob Kallenbach, Cecilia Constantino Rocha and Carson Roberts, Ag & Environment Extension

I am thrilled to share with you that the University of Missouri Board of Curators voted last week to name our developing meat sciences laboratory after former Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. The official name of the new building will be The Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory. Gov. Parson was instrumental in securing the funding for the project.

Please encourage your students to attend the Spring 2025 CAFNR/Arts & Science Career Fair, Wednesday, March 5, 12-4 p.m., at the Mizzou Rec Center.

So far, since the winter break, I have:

• Met with the Dean of the Trulaske College of Business
• Met with the Dean of College of Veterinary Medicine
• Attended CAFNR Info Day
• Attended the Missouri Beef Industry Council meeting
• Met with MFA President and CEO Ernie Verslues
• Met with MO Corn Growers Association Executive Director Bradley Schad
• Presented the Drive to Distinction Award to our Mizzou dairy farm workers
• Met with the leaders of the IFT British Section in London, England (where I presented the Binsted Lecture)
• Attended Higher Learning Commission Meeting

Yet to come this month, I will:

• Attend the 2025 Food Systems Leadership Institute Commission meeting at The Ohio State University
• Meet with potential donors in St. Louis, and present at the IFT St. Louis Chapter meeting
• Attend the APLU’s CARET/BAA Washington Conference in Washington, D.C.
• Attend the Cotton Ginner’s Agriculture Achievement Award in Memphis, TN
• Meet with MU President Mun Choi
• Meet with Vice Chancellor of Extension Chad Higgins
• Meet with Provost Matt Martens
• Meet with Interim Vice Chancellor for Advancement Christine Smith

I hope to see many of you, in addition to our alumni, friends and supporters, at the 30th anniversary of CAFNR Unlimited banquet and auctions next Saturday, Feb. 22, at The Atrium on 10th. Although tickets are sold out, you can still participate in the fun virtually — online bidding opens next Thursday! All proceeds go to CAFNR scholarships and student programming.

CAFNR Proud,

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

A photo gallery of CAFNR happenings.

The Podcast Club is offered on the first Monday of each month in Room 210 ABNR from 3-4 p.m. On March 3, The Negative Impact of Microaggressions on Employee Performance will be discussed. Building Safe Spaces is the topic for April 7. Keep an eye out on CAFNR Info and digital displays for more information about future topics for each meeting.

Brake is an assistant professor in the Division of Animal Sciences.

Celebrate your amazing colleagues!

Help showcase and recognize the outstanding work of your coworkers! Nominate colleagues for CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence awards by March 1. Visit the Celebration of Excellence page for awards, previous recipients, nomination criteria and submission process. Mark your calendar for the ceremony: Thursday, April 17, from 4 to 6 p.m., in Bond Life Sciences Center.

This month we recognize the following faculty and staff members for their years of service to Mizzou!

• Jeri Lou Zimmerman, senior research consultant, CAFNR research office, celebrated 15 years of service on Dec. 3.
• Ilangovan Raju, senior research specialist, Division of Animal Sciences, celebrated five years of service Dec. 16.
• Stacey Hamilton, extension specialist, Division of Animal Sciences, celebrated 30 years of service Dec. 19.
• Hoa Hoang, senior research associate, Division of Applied Social Sciences, celebrated 10 years of service on Jan. 1.
• Qisheng Song, professor, Division of Plant Sciences, celebrated 25 years of service on Jan. 1.
• Thomas Spencer, curators distinguished professor, Division of Animal Sciences, celebrated 10 years of service on Jan. 1.
• Alan Spell, assistant extension professor, Division of Applied Social Sciences, celebrated five years of service on Jan. 2.
• Skylar Young, senior animal technician, Division of Animal Sciences, celebrated five years of service on Jan. 2.
• Amy Walsh, database programmer analyst-entry, Division of Animal Sciences, celebrated 10 years of service on Jan. 5.
• Dusty Walter, director of agriculture operations, Central Missouri Research, Extension & Education Center, celebrated 25 years of service on Jan. 18.
• Michael Zigo, assistant research professor, Division of Animal Science, celebrated 10 years of service Jan. 22.
• Nicholas Meier, research specialist lead, School of Natural Resources, celebrated five years of service on Jan. 27.