Stories
July 30, 2025
Researchers identify key survival strategy for soybeans during heat and drought
María Ángeles Peláez-Vico, Ron Mittler and Ranjita Sinha It’s a hot, dry summer afternoon, and the skies offer no relief for a field of soybeans. But within those green leaves, these plants are quietly fighting back. Researchers at the University of Missouri recently discovered that soybeans have a natural defense strategy — called differential transpiration — that helps protect the plant’s reproductive tissues (flowers and seed pods) during extreme weather conditions. Think of it as nature’s version of targeted air conditioning. Ron Mittler “Soybeans keep their stomata — tiny pores used for plant breathing and cooling by evaporation — open…
July 24, 2025
Mizzou Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers Win Awards at AIFD National Symposium
The MU Student American Institute of Floral Designers (SAIFD) Chapter placed 2nd in the nation in the student competition during the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium in Palm Springs, July 12-15.
July 23, 2025
2025 C-DRIG recipients announced
The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Office of Research offers the CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (C-DRIG) of up to $2,000 to support or partially support dissertation research projects proposed by doctoral students in the College. Eligible students will have completed their coursework and have advanced to candidacy or will advance to candidacy within six months of the C-DRIG awards. Proposals are evaluated by the CAFNR Research Council, an advisory body that advises CAFNR Office of Research and is made up of representatives from each Division in the College. This year, six awardees were granted $2,000 each. The…
July 14, 2025
Back to the Farm – Q&A with Drake and Kaylee Minear
Drake Minear (B.S. Agricultural Systems Management '18) and his wife Kaylee (Michael) Minear (B.S. Elementary Education '18) graduated from Mizzou and returned to the farm.
July 9, 2025
2025 CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (C-DRIG) winners announced
The CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (C-DRIG) are offered through the CAFNR Office of Research. The C-DRIG grant supports up to $2,000 or partially support dissertation research projects proposed by doctoral students in the College.
July 9, 2025
Mizzou Torq’N Tigers find success at the International 1/4 Scale Tractor Design Competition
Torq’N Tigers had two teams competing in the ASABE International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition this summer.
May 15, 2025
PST faculty member honored by American Society of Plant Biologists
Gary Stacey, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Plant Science and Technology and Bond Life Sciences Center principal investigator, was honored by the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) with the Stephen Hales Prize. Stacey’s research focuses generally on molecular aspects of plant-microbe interactions, including studies of the beneficial legume-rhizobium symbiosis and plant-fungal pathogen interactions. He has also been instrumental in the development of genomic resources for the study of soybean. This award honors the Rev. Stephen Hales for his pioneering work in plant biology published in his 1727 book Vegetable Staticks. The award was established in 1927 for a scientist and…
May 15, 2025
Plant sciences alum charts unique and global career path as owner of Three Story Coffee
Tony Anderson (B.S. Plant Sciences ’96) turned his love for plants into a love for direct trade on his journey to becoming owner of Three Story Coffee in Jefferson City, Missouri.
May 15, 2025
14 CAFNR students awarded Mizzou Forward Undergraduate Research Training Grants
Fourteen CAFNR students have been awarded Mizzou Foward Undergraduate Research Training Grants. The purpose of these fellowships is to financially support undergraduate students who are serious about pursuing a graduate education in STEM and NSF-funded fields in order to enhance their opportunity to be admitted into the graduate school of their choice.
May 13, 2025
Plant sciences student presents innovative research at Undergraduate Research Day at the Missouri State Capitol
Ruth Williamson, a senior in plant sciences (breeding, biology and biotechnology emphasis) presented her research on the benefits of being outside on human health.