CAFNR

April 9, 2020

A Unique Opportunity

Last year, Missouri lawmakers passed a law that allowed producers to grow a crop that hasn’t been legal in the state in decades – hemp. The new law required that growers be licensed with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and it also allowed universities to plant hemp right away to collect data for future plantings. Seven University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Agricultural Research Centers planted a total of seven acres of hemp throughout the state. Those plantings happened from the end of June to early July. All were between half an acre and three acres.

March 24, 2020

Hunger Heroes

Armed with a goal to increase student participation in the Missouri Youth Institute (MYI), coordinators expanded invitations from high school agricultural education programs to students involved in social studies, language and other high school programs for this year’s event. MYI brings together high school students, teachers and experts to research, discuss and solve local, national and global hunger and food security issues. The event has been hosted on MU’s campus since its start in 2016. This year’s institute took place March 2. “We had 81 students registered this year and the largest group we’ve ever had before was about 51,”…

March 16, 2020

Farm Economy Outlook Depends on New Trade Agreements, Evolution of Disease Outbreaks

The outlook for the United States farm economy depends on the implementation of new trade agreements and the evolution of animal and human disease outbreaks, according to the latest analysis of national and global agricultural trends from the University of Missouri. While net farm income increases in 2020, under a baseline assumption of continued trade friction with China, other indicators of the health of the farm economy are not as positive. However, there is a scenario that incorporates the “Phase 1” trade agreement between China and the U.S. that suggests the possibility of a stronger outlook for U.S. commodity prices…

March 14, 2020

Nurturing Cross-Disciplinary Thinking

It’s a program where political science, business, chemical engineering, food science and students from many disciplines come together to solve problems associated with poverty and food insecurity. A part of the Brady and Anne Deaton Institute for University Leadership in International Development, the Deaton Scholars Program (DSP) is devoted to growing global sharing and application of knowledge to combat local and global hunger, inadequate nutrition and poverty. To accomplish this, the institute connects undergraduate, graduate, professional and PhD students through a collective peer mentorship program that gives students the opportunity to attend learning events centered around a wide range of…

March 13, 2020

Let’s Get Social

Mizzou Tigers are everywhere – on campus, at community events and scattered across the country as proud alumni! Social presence in the Tiger community can be powerful when it comes to reporting emergencies, sharing sports highlights, unveiling research, as well as sharing the memorable faces and spaces that make us so proud to sing “Old Missouri, Fair Missouri!” While we want you to share your love for CAFNR and Mizzou, there are some new guidelines for personal social media usage as MU employees. Keep in mind these best practices as you engage your followers: “Even if you are personally engaging…

March 13, 2020

Q&A With Rhonda Turner

What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? I am the executive assistant to Shibu Jose, the associate dean in the CAFNR Office of Research. I maintain his calendar of meetings and events ensuring he is prepared in advance. I also handle the administrative duties of the office and act as liaison to both internal and external audiences. I assist Shibu on a variety of projects related to the CAFNR Office of Research. How long have you worked in CAFNR? I will have worked in CAFNR for six years this July. What do…

Feb. 17, 2020

An Important Comparison

It was nearly a decade ago when the first soybean reference genome, “Williams 82,” was published in 2010. For the next several years, that cultivar, which was chosen to represent the northern United States germplasm, served as the main soybean reference genome – the sequence that gives scientists a baseline of a species’ set of genes. A few years after “Williams 82” became available, Henry Nguyen, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Plant Sciences in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), was part of a team that developed additional reference genomes, this time focusing on soybeans…

Feb. 13, 2020

Strengthening CAFNR Communication

The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Office of Marketing and Communications recently added two individuals to its team – Reagan Brown and Ashley Craft. Brown has been named the CAFNR marketing communications coordinator. Craft’s new role is as the Extension communications strategist. “We are so excited to add Reagan and Ashley to our team,” said Michelle Enger, director, CAFNR Office of Marketing and Communications. “Both bring unique skillsets and experiences that will help us expand how we talk about the outstanding things happening in CAFNR.” Showcasing Missouri Agriculture Brown joins CAFNR after spending the…

Feb. 12, 2020

Celebrate CAFNR’s 150th Anniversary

It’s a big year in CAFNR! We are proud to be observing the 150th anniversary of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in 2020. Make plans to join us in celebrating the golden legacy and bold future of our college. Save the date to join us for the CAFNR Founding Day celebration, Monday, Feb. 24. We will have a special proclamation ceremony in the Jesse Hall rotunda at 1:30 that afternoon. This event will mark 150 years to the day of our founding in 1870. Speakers will include Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who will also read a…

Feb. 4, 2020

Building a Network

As the director of career services in the CAFNR Office of Academic Programs, Matt Arri dedicates his time to building networks and relationships between CAFNR students and industry professionals. Arri’s goal is to make sure those students are career ready – and he has introduced a variety of new initiatives to help them along the way. It was an alum who helped set up the most recent Agribusiness Career Connections Program trip. Craig Bacon, senior vice president of technical services for Simmons Prepared Foods, was part of CAFNR’s Robert O. Reich Executive-in-Residence Program in October 2018. Bacon returned to campus…