The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri has launched a new strategic plan: “Accelerate the Drive.”

This plan focuses on CAFNR’s land-grant missions of teaching, research and extension excellence, and builds on the momentum of “Drive to Distinction,” the plan that ran from 2019-25. “Accelerate the Drive” will guide CAFNR through 2030.

The plan’s vision was inspired by CAFNR’s December 2025 student commencement speaker, Lucas, who was receiving his degree in Personal Financial Planning. He spoke about how, when he first came to CAFNR, he couldn’t quite figure out how his major fit into the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. He said one day it struck him that CAFNR is the “people” college – what connects all of us is that we care about the world and serve to create a better future for all of its people.

“That speech really helped our new vision come into focus,” Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert said. “‘Accelerate the Drive’ is about us serving Missouri and making the world a better place. We are Missouri’s land-grant college for a healthy world.”

The plan reflects 11 months of collaboration across CAFNR and included leadership workshops, listening sessions and strategic committee meetings.

“Our goal was to involve the entire CAFNR community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, advisory board members, leadership committees – in the development of this important roadmap,” Daubert said. “We want to make certain ‘Accelerate the Drive’ reflects our collective perspectives, goals and aspirations. Your dedication on campus and across the Show-Me State is the foundation of this plan and the key to its success.”

Strategic Priorities for ‘Accelerate the Drive’ are:

• Ensuring Student Success: Drives enrollment growth, retention and high-impact R.I.S.E. experiences. USDA reports confirm strong, growing demand for food, agriculture, natural resources and environmental careers.  

• Advancing Research and Innovation: Scales team science against Missouri’s grand challenges while growing and diversifying funding for essential research.  

• Empowering Missourians with Ag and Environment (A&E) Extension: Delivers statewide solutions through technology adoption, economic growth and recommendations for region-specific challenges. 

Grounded in values of service, collaboration and multidisciplinary excellence, the plan positions CAFNR as the indispensable partner for innovation, talent development and resilient communities in support of Missouri’s top economic drivers. 

And it also showcases how each and every person in CAFNR can help – please do take a moment to peruse ‘Accelerate the Drive’ and take to heart your vital piece of our mission!

“’Accelerate the Drive’ isn’t my plan or the planning committee’s plan – it’s CAFNR’s plan,” Daubert said. “It belongs to you, our students, staff, faculty, alumni and communities across Missouri. When you bring it to life in your programs, labs, fields, farms, offices and counties, that’s when this vision becomes real. Together, we don’t just talk about a stronger future for CAFNR and Missouri agriculture and natural resources; we build it.”