Student Success

May 12, 2020

CAFNR Outstanding Sophomore: Lauren Quinlan

Hands-on learning opportunities are a key part of the CAFNR Experience. Those opportunities showcase the uniqueness of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and include student-run retail, competitive judging teams, research labs and policy centers. For Lauren Quinlan, these types of opportunities are exactly why she chose CAFNR. She has worked with Tiger Garden, the full-service floral shop ran by MU students, for the past year. “Hands-on experience is truly the backbone of CAFNR,” Quinlan said. “I am a very hands-on learner, so I thrive off of the opportunities to apply what I have learned…

May 11, 2020

CAFNR Outstanding Freshman: Kensie Darst

Kensie Darst’s best advice to high school students gearing up for their first semester of college may be common encouragement, but it’s held true for her – don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Darst, from Aurora, Mo., followed her own advice when she made the decision to step foot on the University of Missouri campus this past fall. “Being from a small, rural community in southwest Missouri, it is difficult for many graduating high school seniors to want to attend a college that seems to host more students than our own town’s population,” Darst said. “Making…
Harly Durbin came to the University of Missouri as graduate research assistants in 2016 to work with Jared Decker on a $2 million grant that he earned in 2015. Durbin’s part of the project has been focused on data collection and organization related to hair shedding. Hair shedding is incredibly important for cattle, as removing that coat as the weather warms helps regulate temperature and keeps the cow cooler.

May 6, 2020

Making the Cut

In 2015, Jared Decker, an associate professor in the Division of Animal Sciences and state beef Extension specialist, received a $3 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture focused on matching cattle to their best environments so producers can make educated decisions about which animals are going to be most productive for them. Harly Durbin and Troy Rowan (research highlighted here) came to the University of Missouri as graduate research assistants in 2016 to work with Decker on the grant. Durbin’s part of the project has been focused on data collection and organization related to hair shedding. Hair…
Four CAFNR students were selected as recipients of the MU Award for Academic Distinction.

May 5, 2020

An Academic Honor

Propelled by two of MU’s values, discovery and excellence, four CAFNR students have received the 2020 University of Missouri Award for Academic Distinction. Undergraduate students who excel at contributing to MU’s academic atmosphere are recognized with the award. CAFNR seniors Cole Diggins, Kody Jones, Paxton Kostos and Stephanie Scott were among the 15 students selected for the campus-wide honor. Criteria for the award includes evidence of extraordinary intellectual curiosity, actively seeking knowledge beyond the classroom and striving to share that knowledge with others for a broader impact. Cole Diggins – Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences As a member…
Students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) don’t only receive a degree during their time in Columbia – they get the entire CAFNR experience. The CAFNR Experience has changed drastically in light of the recent changes required due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are working hard to keep on track as the end of the semester is being completed remotely. Photo courtesy of Audrey Hannah.

April 28, 2020

A Different Look

In mid-March, the University of Missouri System announced that its four universities would conduct remote courses for the reminder of the spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most students traveled home and have been finishing their coursework remotely. Students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) don’t only receive a degree during their time in Columbia – they get the entire CAFNR experience. That experience includes access to award-winning advisors and teachers; research opportunities with internationally renowned scientists; study abroad options tailored to degree programs and in more than a dozen countries; career expos bringing…
Four University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources students captured first place at the regional Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon, which was held in conjunction with the American Society of Animal Science’s (ASAS) Midwest Conference last month. Jacob Blank, Madison Filley, Emily Shanks and Anna Tarpey will represent MU at the national competition, which is set to be held in July in Madison, Wisconsin. Four teams will compete at the national competition.

April 2, 2020

Bringing Home a Win

Four University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources students captured first place at the regional Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon, which was held in conjunction with the American Society of Animal Science’s (ASAS) Midwest Conference last month. Jacob Blank, Madison Filley, Emily Shanks and Anna Tarpey will represent MU at the national competition, which is set to be held in July in Madison, Wisconsin. Four teams will compete at the national competition. The idea of the academic quadrathlon (AQ) was conceived in 1967, and the first official AQ competition was held in 1981 as part of the ASAS…
Zachary Ignotz is a senior studying plant sciences from Troy, Missouri. As a student in the advanced landscape design course last year, Ignotz created a design that would land him a spot at this year’s University of Missouri Visual Art and Design Showcase. Photo by Heather Tearney.

April 2, 2020

Incorporating Problem-Solving into Landscape Design

Tucked away in the CAFNR Courtyard between the Ag Building and Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building is a garden that’s celebrating its 40th anniversary this April. Students in the advanced landscape design course were challenged to revitalize the MU Woodland and Floral Garden in honor of the celebration. Zachary Ignotz is a senior studying plant sciences from Troy, Missouri. As a student in the advanced landscape design course last year, Ignotz created a design that would land him a spot at this year’s University of Missouri Visual Art and Design Showcase. Ignotz received the Award of Merit for his design,…
Jamee Scearce is one of only 10 students nationwide to be selected to serve as a member of the Student Advisory Team for Agriculture Future of America. Photo courtesy of Scearce.

Feb. 28, 2020

Influential Leader

Three years ago, Jamee Scearce was attending her first Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Leaders Conference. Now, Scearce will be returning for her fourth conference – this time with a different role. Scearce is one of only 10 students nationwide to be selected to serve as a member of the Student Advisory Team for AFA. The team held their first meeting in January. AFA is a non-profit organization that prepares collegiate students to become professionals in agriculture and related industries through various opportunities, including the annual Leaders Conference. “I really found my passion in AFA my freshman year in college…
The Agribusiness Career Connections Program is designed to connect CAFNR undergraduates to various agribusinesses located throughout the Midwest. It is sponsored, in part, by the John Brown Scholars Fund. Photo courtesy of Bryan Garton.

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…