CAFNR

April 10, 2020

Q&A With Christa Smith

What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? I am the executive assistant to the division director in the Division Plant Sciences. I support Bruce Barrett with his calendar, travel, meeting minutes and work with faculty and MyVita, which is a faculty activity reporting system. I’m the liaison for all academics in plant sciences, so I work with the registrar’s office managing the course offerings and MyZou, and the graduate school for all issues related to the graduate students. I also handle phone inquiries that come into the division and coordinate web page…
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the CAFNR experience looks. Mizzou announced that the rest of the spring semester would be taught remotely. Teaching faculty within CAFNR have been working hard to make the transition to remote learning as easy as possible. For example, Marci Crosby, instructor in the Division of Animal Sciences, and Mikaela Adams (pictured), graduate research assistant, are still caring for the horses at the Equine Teaching Facility at the South Farm Research Center in Columbia. They are recording and photographing a lot of that care. Photo courtesy of Marci Crosby.

April 9, 2020

Being Adaptable

Part of CAFNR’s mission is preparing students for a complex, interconnected planet. To thrive in tomorrow’s society, students must be adaptable learners and informed citizens to make purposeful contributions in the world. CAFNR provides these opportunities through exceptional experiential and practical learning experiences based on cutting-edge science and through communicating and engaging with people and the community. Students in CAFNR not only get a degree while in Columbia – they get the entire CAFNR experience. Students gain that experience through award-winning advisors and teachers, research opportunities with internationally renowned scientists, study abroad options tailored to degree programs and in more…
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.

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,”…
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.

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…
The Deaton Scholars Program brings students across disciplines together to solve problems associated with poverty and food insecurity. Photo by Yanu Prasetyo, courtesy of the Deaton Scholars Program.

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…
Man holding smartphone with social technology

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…
Henry Nguyen, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Plant Sciences in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), is part of a group that recently compared the three most recent reference genome accessions, which includes an improved “Williams 82” assembly, and new assemblies of “Lee” and PI 483463.

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…
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 (right) and Ashley Craft (left). Brown has been named the CAFNR marketing communications coordinator. Craft’s new role is as the Extension communications strategist.

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…