Stories
Oct. 8, 2020
Staying Connected
From August to October, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Agricultural Research Centers showcase research projects and share demonstrations during its field day season. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Research Centers to reevaluate how they would proceed with their in-person field day events. After discussions with advisory boards and health officials, the decision was made to host the field days virtually. “Our field days bring research-based information to our stakeholders, which is a major part of our mission. The face-to-face interaction is a key focus and everyone enjoys the social atmosphere, the food and…
Oct. 2, 2020
Cultivating Inclusivity
By population, the United States is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Counting both bilingual and native speakers of Spanish, the U.S. has more people who can speak Spanish than Spain itself. How do MU Extension specialists make sure they serve Missourians who speak Spanish? “I first started doing a home gardening webinar series at the beginning of the year because of COVID-19 and potential food supply shortages,” said Juan Cabrera-Garcia, an MU Agriculture and Environment Extension horticulture specialist in southeastern Missouri. Amaya Carrasco, a St. Louis resident with experience in urban agriculture,…
Oct. 1, 2020
Q&A With Ben Luebbering
What are opportunities in CAFNR for students interested in the swine industry? The best opportunity for students in CAFNR who are interested in pigs is the MU Swine Club. The Swine Club allows students who are interested in the swine industry to connect with other students that have similar interests. It also serves as a great way to meet industry leaders and learn about hot topics involving pigs, not to mention that the club makes time to take field trips to various businesses that involve pigs. What was it like being the 2019 Pig Farmer of Tomorrow? Being a Pig…
Sep. 25, 2020
Remembering the Legacy of Dr. William Danforth
The passing of William H. “Bill” Danforth, M.D., last week at age 94 brought to the spotlight his work in academic administration, medicine and science, and outreach in the St. Louis area. His contributions also can be felt here at the University of Missouri. Dr. Danforth, chancellor emeritus of Washington University, was the founding chairman of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (DDPSC). Mizzou, including the Division of Plant Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), and the Interdisciplinary Plant Group (IPG), has had a long partnership with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. In 1998…
Sep. 22, 2020
John Tummons Receives 2020 NAAE Region IV Outstanding Service Citation
John Tummons, assistant agricultural education and leadership teaching professor, received the 2020 Region IV Outstanding Service Citation from the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) earlier this summer. The award, sponsored by Goodheart-Willcox, recognizes those who have provided services to agricultural educators, agricultural programs or agricultural student organizations and have attained leadership in professional organizations.
Sep. 22, 2020
Michael Cook Receives Best Paper Award for Co-Authored Study
Michael Cook, agricultural and applied economics professor and Partridge Chair of Cooperative Leadership, co-authored a study that received a Best Paper, Strategy Division award at the Academy of Management 2020 annual meeting in August. The paper, titled “From Instrumental to Normative Relational Strategies: A Study of Open Buyer-Supplier Relations,” takes a case study approach to examine the open vertical and horizontal relational strategy used by Natura, a company in the cosmetic industry.
Sep. 16, 2020
Developing Student Leaders
Nearly a decade ago, and just one year into his teaching career at the University of Missouri, Jon Simonsen traveled with a handful of MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) faculty and administrators to Chillicothe, Mo. The purpose of the trip was to meet with board members of the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation, which was created in 1976 after the tragic passing of Jerry, his wife and their two children. Over the years the Foundation has supported the development of future leaders in the agricultural industry and beyond. CAFNR was interested in partnering with the Foundation…
Sep. 11, 2020
Q&A With Alex Munoz
What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? I’m the student support specialist for the Division of Plant Sciences where I am the main point of contact for prospective students who are interested in our programs. I work to help with Division of Plant Sciences’ recruitment and outreach efforts as well as help with general recruitment for CAFNR. During normal times, I would be on the road visiting schools, college fairs and hosting visitors to campus. On top of this, I run the division’s social media accounts and help out faculty transitioning to…
Sep. 9, 2020
Henry Nguyen Named Editor of The Plant Genome
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) and the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) recently announced three appointments/reappointments of journal editors. Henry Nguyen, professor in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Division of Plant Sciences, was named the editor of The Plant Genome. “I am honored and inspired to take on a new role as editor of The Plant Genome,” Nguyen said in the announcement. “I was involved in the development of this journal as former chair of the C-7 Division (Genomics, Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology) and have served on the editorial board for…
Aug. 31, 2020
Creating Inclusive Programming
On Friday mornings at the Clark Produce Auction, University of Missouri Agriculture and Environment Extension agronomist Dhruba Dhakal sets up a table, plant posters and an MU Extension sign. MU Extension’s objective is to serve all Missourians with resources and research needed to improve lives, communities and the economy. When Dhakal noticed Amish producers in Clark could benefit from a plant diagnostic clinic, he knew there was only one thing to do. “While attending one of the sales, I spoke with some of the leaders in the Amish community and learned they were struggling with different horticultural issues,” Dhakal said.