I always enjoy the excitement of fall on a college campus! We have had many impactful opportunities to engage and celebrate with students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of CAFNR this month, from our Homecoming parade watch party outside of the Ag Building; to CAFNR Week activities, including the Fall Career Expo and CAFNR Research Symposium; to our CAFNR Showcase at South Farm; to U.S. Farm Report’s visit to campus to film their College Roadshow, with host and CAFNR alumna Tyne Morgan; to our annual Scholarship Dinner where we say thank you to donors alongside the students who have been recipients of their generosity. I appreciate all of these occasions to engage, to celebrate, to say thank you!

In that same vein, I hope you will all make plans to join us for Novemberfest, where I share an update on CAFNR’s past year, delicious food and drink, and my thanks for all of your hard work in 2025. This year’s event will be Friday, Nov. 21, 3-5 p.m. in Monsanto Auditorium, Bond Life Sciences Center.

I invite you to join University of Missouri President Mun Choi for a President’s Distinguished Lecture featuring General B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force. General Saltzman will present his lecture, “The Critical Need for a Space Force and the Future Leaders to Guide It,” Friday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. in Jesse Auditorium. The President’s Distinguished Lecture Series invites notable leaders of world-renowned research organizations, universities and other industries to share their expertise with the University of Missouri community. Visit mizzou.us/PDL for more information.

This month I have:

• Attended Division of Biochemistry faculty meeting
• Learned about new research in CAFNR via the Research Symposium poster session
• Visited South Farm for the CAFNR Showcase
• Met with Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s Executive Director Casey Wasser
• Attended CAFNR New Faculty and Deans Luncheon
• Attended the 2025 CAFNR Scholarship Dinner
• Met with President Mun Choi

Yet to come this month:

• Attending the 21st Cohort of Food System Leadership Institute Fellows Conference
• Traveling to the World Food Prize events
• Meeting with Provost Matt Martens
• Visiting with Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury
• Meeting with Health Sciences Dean Kristofer Hagglund
• Visiting with Veterinary Medicine Dean Sri Sreevatsan
• Meeting with Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement Chad Higgins

Finally, you may not all know that our CAFNR Foundation has worked for decades supporting and advancing our college’s mission, through scholarship, research and internship support. Recently they have started sharing their impact more widely via a redesigned website, newsletter, events and more. I invite you to visit the website, and consider signing up to receive their newsletter to learn more!

CAFNR Proud,

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

A gallery of recent CAFNR happenings.

Darius is the Office Support Assistant IV for FNES.

Staff Fall Lunch & Mingle

CAFNR Staff Council is holding their Staff Fall Lunch and Mingle event Thursday, Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Eckles Event Center. Join the Council for soup, a baked potato bar, door prizes and more!

A special series on generative AI's role across CAFNR. We dive into the latest AI applications in agriculture, food science, health, and natural resource management.

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

• Chandra Boosani, assistant research professor, Animal Sciences, celebrated five years of service Sept. 1.
• Kiho Lee, professor, Animal Sciences, celebrated five years of service Sept. 1.
• Wesley Moore, senior research specialist, Central Missouri REEC, celebrated five years of service Sept. 1.
• Terry Woods, research specialist I, Field Operations, celebrated 30 years of service Sept. 1.
• Connie Liu, senior research specialist, Plant Science and Technology, celebrated 15 years of service Sept. 15.
• Clint Behm, agriculture associate II, Fertilizer Control, celebrated 10 years of service Sept. 25.
• Jessica Orsini, program/project support coordinator I, Vice Chancellor and Dean’s Office, celebrated 25 years of service Sept. 25.
• Meghan Biggs, research specialist I, Plant Science and Technology, celebrated five years of service Sept. 30.