Student Success

Abigail Turner, a senior studying agricultural education, has spent a good portion of her collegiate career at the University of Missouri traveling – through study abroad experiences and other opportunities. Those experiences have offered Turner the chance to gain valuable insights and broadened her view of the world. Photo courtesy of Abigail Turner.

March 18, 2021

Gaining a New Perspective

The day after Abigail Turner graduated from high school she jumped on an airplane and flew to Australia with the encouragement of her parents, who love to travel. Turner grew up in Brookfield, Mo., a town of less than 4,500 people, and the trip to Australia was her first foray into international travel. It wouldn’t be her last. Turner, a senior studying agricultural education, has spent a good portion of her collegiate career at the University of Missouri traveling – through study abroad experiences and other opportunities. Those experiences have offered Turner the chance to gain valuable insights and broadened…
When Lauren Eagon came to the University of Missouri to study natural resource science and management, one of her goals was to complete her own research project. With the help of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), Eagon, who is now a senior, has been an active participant in undergraduate research throughout her collegiate career. She has gained hands-on experience through various research projects, where she has partnered with CAFNR faculty, staff and graduate students. She has also accomplished her goal and conducted her own research. Photo courtesy of Lauren Eagon.

Feb. 17, 2021

Part of the Frontline Discovery Group

When Lauren Eagon came to the University of Missouri to study natural resource science and management, one of her goals was to complete her own research project. With the help of faculty mentors in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), Eagon, who is now a senior, has been an active participant in undergraduate research throughout her collegiate career. She has gained hands-on experience through various research projects, where she has partnered with CAFNR faculty, staff and graduate students. She has also accomplished her goal and conducted her own research. “Providing undergraduates with such a valuable opportunity…
The Mizzou Academic Quadrathlon team finished tied for first at the national competition, which was held in July. The team finished second overall after tiebreakers were taken into consideration. They finished first in the lab practical, second in the written exam and the quiz bowl, and third in the oral presentation. Team members include, from left to right: Emily Shanks, Madison Filley, Anna Tarpey and Jacob Blank. (Photo taken in early 2020.)

Aug. 14, 2020

Showcasing a Competitive Spirit

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the national Animal Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Academic Quadrathlon to a virtual competition. That didn’t slow down the Mizzou Academic Quadrathlon team. After winning their regional competition, MU finished tied for first at the national competition, which was held in July. The team finished second overall after tiebreakers were taken into consideration. They finished first in the lab practical, second in the written exam and the quiz bowl, and third in the oral presentation. “I’m super proud of the entire team and how far they’ve come,” said Addison Byrne, instructor in the Division of Animal…
Woodland & Floral Garden, Parents Weekend, fall 1979

July 31, 2020

History in Bloom

Successful efforts by a handful of energetic horticulture students in the late 1970s led to the planning and execution of an ambitious garden project located next to MU’s Agriculture Building. The space was dedicated as the Woodland and Floral Gardens in April 1980. A public celebration to mark the garden’s 40th anniversary and rededicate what remains of the original landscape as the Missouri Woodland Garden was scheduled to be held April 2020, but has been postponed until further notice. Left to right: Kevin Karel and Bill Ruppert, the horticulture students who worked to design and build the Woodland & Floral…

May 14, 2020

CAFNR Outstanding Senior: Natalie Ayers

It was pretty much a given where Natalie Ayers was going to get her degree after she graduated high school. Ayers’ parents both earned degrees from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). Ayers knew she was going to be a Tiger one day, too, just like her parents. “I had attended countless events on the University of Missouri campus as a child, and there are too many family photos in front of the historic Academic Hall columns to count,” Ayers said. “MU was actually the only university I applied to because my decision to…

May 14, 2020

CAFNR Outstanding Senior: Caleb Quinlan

Growing up on his family’s farm, Caleb Quinlan developed a passion for agriculture and drive for success. That passion and drive only became stronger when Quinlan joined the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) four years ago. Now, celebrating his senior year and nearing graduation, Quinlan is planning on taking that passion and drive into the workforce. “My experience on my family’s farm operation allowed me to develop that initial passion for agriculture and drive for success in my life,” said Quinlan, a plant sciences major. “It also allowed me to understand the value of…

May 13, 2020

CAFNR Outstanding Junior: Jacob Blank

Jacob Blank didn’t realize it at the time, but coming to the University of Missouri would open his eyes in ways he would have never believed. Originally, Blank was attending MU out of necessity – as Mizzou features a strong veterinary school and Blank was interested in obtaining a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM). Once Blank got more involved in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), he felt a new inspiration. “In all honesty, my personal decision to attend Mizzou was truly unbeknown to me until I started participating more frequently in CAFNR,” Blank…

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…