With snowfall totals above average across the state, experts explain the weather patterns behind the wintry season—and what it could mean as spring approaches.

It is sure feeling like spring this week! I hope you are enjoying the nicer temperatures.

Speaking of spring, I look forward to seeing you next week at our second spring faculty/staff meeting. The March meeting will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, in 2-16 Agriculture Building. You will be hearing from Shibu Jose, our associate dean for research and director of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, in addition to Matt Fleming of CAFNR Staff Council, and me.

The next day my traveling office hours will take me to Eckles Event Center (155 Eckles Hall) for “Dunks and Donuts!” Join CAFNR Staff Council for coffee and donuts and time to visit from 9-10 a.m. Friday, March 21. A great way to kick-off the spring break week.

Please take some time today or Monday to fill out my evaluation from the Provost’s Office. You should have received the link Monday, March 3, from “MU Institutional Research.” I take these opportunities to learn about what is going well, and where improvements are needed, very seriously. I value your feedback, and encourage you to give it!

I was honored to represent Mizzou and CAFNR at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ recent meeting in Washington, D.C. In addition to chairing the Academic Heads Section (AHS) of the Board on Agriculture Assembly (BAA), I also chaired a panel at the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET)/BAA conference (see photo above) sharing ideas on how we all can work together to advocate for our institutions.

So far this month I have:

• Toured the Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center’s (REEC) livestock units
• Gave the Welcome at the 2025 Missouri Soybean Symposium
• Attended the Fisher Delta REEC Advisory Board Meeting
• Traveled to Chicago, Ill., for the Institute of Food Technologists’ Board of Directors meeting

Yet to come this month, I will:

• Participate in MU Deans Council meeting
• Attend the CAFNR Promotion & Tenure workshop
• 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
• Meet with Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Sri Sreevatsan

Please plan to attend these important presentations in April:

• The President’s Distinguished Lecture will feature Craig Piercy, CEO of the American Nuclear Society, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, in Monsanto Auditorium, Bond Life Science Center. Learn more information and register to attend.
• The Agribusiness Council of Kansas City hosts its annual Mizzou Showcase Thursday, April 10. The featured speaker is Meagan Kaiser, a CAFNR alumna, our representative to CARET, and COO and soil scientist at Perry Agricultural Laboratory. The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. in the Union Station Chamber Boardroom, Kansas City, Mo. Learn more information and register to attend.

I hope you enjoy the upcoming week of spring break – whether you are taking time off or plan to use the quiet time on campus to catch up!

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. Building Safe Spaces is the topic for April 7. Keep an eye out on CAFNR Info for more information about future topics for each meeting.

Mulvania-Beck is CAFNR's Research News Strategist.

Celebrate your amazing colleagues!

Mark your calendar for our annual award ceremony, Celebration of Excellence. This year’s event will be Thursday, April 17, from 4 to 6 p.m., in Bond Life Sciences Center. Appetizers will be available in the Atrium starting at 4 p.m.; the ceremony begins at 5 p.m. in Monsanto Auditorium, and is followed by sweet treats in the lobby – and a chance to congratulate all of the winners! No RSVP necessary.

Jim Obenauer has joined Information Technology as the new CAFNR team lead. While his primary responsibility will be project and staff management, Jim will be running tickets and assisting in IT support requests. Jim is new to academia, but he comes with years of technical experience, especially with Macintosh management. CAFNR is not entirely new to him as his oldest son graduated from Mizzou with a B.S. in Biochemistry. Jim and his family are relocating from Farmington, Mo. His office is in 2-8A Agriculture Science as Alex Rodriguez has relocated to 1-117 Agriculture Science.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize education, research, and industry, an often-overlooked ethical concern is the environmental impact of such technologies. Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, require substantial computational power, which in turn demands vast amounts of energy and water. While these tools enhance efficiency and innovation, they also produce a large environmental footprint. In this edition, we examine the sustainability challenges of AI and explore practical steps users can take now to mitigate the environmental impact.

The Environmental Cost of AI: Energy and Water Consumption

The training and operation of large AI models require data centers that consume significant amounts of electricity. A single AI-generated response can use far more energy than a standard web search. Moreover, the cooling systems needed to prevent overheating in data centers rely heavily on water, further straining this natural resource. Recent reports estimate that training some of the largest AI models requires the equivalent of millions of kilowatt-hours of energy, which is comparable to that of powering thousands of homes each year. While the benefits of AI are undeniable, institutions and individuals must consider their role in promoting responsible AI use that aligns with sustainability goals.

Responsible AI Use: Reducing the Environmental Footprint

While AI technology companies are working toward greener solutions, individual users can also take steps to minimize the environmental impact:

• Limit Excessive AI Queries: Use AI tools efficiently by refining prompts before generating content.
• Consolidate AI Usage: When possible, batch AI use instead of repeatedly querying throughout the day.
• Opt for Lighter AI Models: Consider smaller, less resource-intensive AI tools for simple tasks.
• Encourage Institutional Sustainability Efforts: Universities and research institutions can push for data centers powered by renewable energy sources and support policies that promote responsible AI usage.
• Educate and Advocate for AI Sustainability: Faculty, students, and administrators can facilitate discussions about the environmental costs of AI and promote best practices for sustainable use in academic settings.

Balancing Innovation with Sustainability

The integration of AI into academia and industry presents both opportunities and challenges. By taking simple steps to reduce excessive usage and supporting sustainable computing practices, we can ensure that AI remains a tool for innovation without compromising the planet’s resources. As discussions around AI ethics continue to evolve, sustainability must remain at the forefront. In closing, universities, policymakers, and AI developers have a shared responsibility to balance the rapid advancement of AI with environmental stewardship.

For more information on sustainable AI practices and institutional efforts, visit the Get Involved Sustainability Resource or connect with CAFNR’s AI Fellow to discuss strategies for responsible AI integration into teaching and research.

Media:

Sustainability – Get Involved

Comment: The AI race is on the wrong track. Here’s how to fix it | Reuters

Google’s future data centers will be built next to solar and wind farms | The Verge

Daniel Credeur, CAFNR Faculty Fellow for AI

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

• Dean Volenberg, assistant extension professor, Division of Plant Science & Technology, celebrated 10 years of service Feb. 1.
• Drew Anderson, research specialist I, Central Missouri REEC, celebrated five years of service Feb. 3.
• Kristi Cook, business operations associate II, Division of Plant Science & Technology, celebrated 15 years of service Feb. 8.
• Cory Cross, senior research associate, Division of Plant Science & Technology, celebrated 10 years of service Feb. 10.
• Steven Van Doren, professor, Division of Biochemistry, celebrated 30 years of service Feb. 22.