Each fall, the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station’s (MOAES) Research, Extension and Education Centers (REECs) provide local high students the opportunity to learn about careers stemming from CAFNR’s 14 degree programs. In addition to information provided by CAFNR’s Academic Programs Office and degree program recruiters, each REEC taps local faculty in extension and research to showcase their work. Even CAFNR clubs and orgs, like the Torq’N Tigers quarter-scale tractor club, traveled this year to display their student-built machines.
“Our Career Exploration Days are a fantastic way to show prospective CAFNR students not only our array of degree programs, but also their local REEC,” said Shibu Jose, associate dean for research and director of MOAES. “I often say that our REECs are the ‘front door’ of Mizzou out-state, and our annual Career Days are a fantastic example of how the REECs can bring Mizzou to you, locally.”
2025 events included:
Southwest REEC, Mount Vernon, Missouri, Thursday, Sept. 18.
The Southwest REEC holds their Career Exploration Day and Field Day simultaneously. This year, they hosted 57 schools, which had 1,415 students attend. Students could explore nearly 60 booths staffed by extension specialists, research professors and partnering agencies. Demonstrations and hands-on activities included utility drones, sheep, horses, cannulated cow, beef anatomy, poultry processing and veterinary medicine.
Fisher Delta REEC, Portageville, Missouri, Thursday, Sept. 18.
Students kicked off the day at the Fisher Delta REEC with inspiring words in video welcomes from Gov. Mike Kehoe, Agriculture Director Chris Chinn, Sen. Jason Bean and Vice Chancellor & Dean Chris Daubert. From DNA extraction to ag robotics, drones and more, students got hands-on with everything ag has to offer! The day wrapped up with a Mizzou CAFNR degree programs showcase.
Central Missouri REEC, Bradford Research Farm, Columbia, Missouri, Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Bradford Research Farm was the site of this year’s Central Missouri REEC Career Exploration Day. Bradford hosted 1,884 students from 64 high schools. Booths included those from Tiger Garden, agricultural education, Mizzou Weed Science, TorqN’ Tigers, digital agriculture, meteorology, beef reproduction and genetics, Mizzou’s Maize Center, Equine Teaching Facility and natural resources.
Northern Missouri REEC, Lee Greenley Jr., Memorial Research Farm, Novelty, Missouri, Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Greenley Research Farm was the site of this year’s Northern Missouri REEC Career Exploration Day. Students explored research and careers related to plant science, natural resources, animal science, agricultural communications and agricultural mechanics/operations.
