Stories

Mary Hendrickson (pictured), associate professor of rural sociology in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), and Kerry Clark, director of CAFNR International Programs and assistant research professor of rural sociology in CAFNR, were the recipients of one of the ORG grants, for more than $420,000. Their project is titled “Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Adoption of Organic Agriculture in the Mid-South.”

Oct. 19, 2020

CAFNR Researchers Earn Grant Related to Organic Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently invested $23 million to help boost organic farming and ranching. NIFA awarded 12 Organic Transitions Program (ORG) grants totaling $5.6 million to support research, education and extension efforts to help existing and transitioning organic livestock and crop producers adopt organic practices and improve their market competitiveness. Mary Hendrickson, associate professor of rural sociology in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), and Kerry Clark, director of CAFNR International Programs and assistant research professor of rural sociology in CAFNR, were the…
Jefferson Farm and Garden will host a drive-through pumpkin pick-up from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Research Center in Columbia. Individuals can donate to the Mammography Fund, as well as pick up a pumpkin and decoration package to take home. Alisha Moreland will host a virtual event through Facebook for everyone to decorate together if they are interested.

Oct. 15, 2020

Pumpkins With a Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced individuals and groups to find creative solutions to canceled in-person events. For years, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has partnered with Alisha Moreland and her Alisha’s Pink Pumpkin Painting Party. Through those parties, Moreland raises funds and brings awareness to breast cancer. The funds go to the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center Mammography Fund. Moreland has scheduled parties at either the Bradford Research Center or the South Farm Research Center, both in Columbia, since 2014. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Moreland to cancel her in-person parties; however, working alongside…
For the past two years, Tessa Jennings, a junior majoring in plant sciences, has worked in the lab of Antje Heese, an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry. Photo courtesy of Kelly Mason.

Oct. 15, 2020

An Interdisciplinary Connection

Tessa Jennings found a passion for plant sciences as a high school FFA student participating in career development events. That passion has continued to grow as a student at the University of Missouri – especially after being selected as a member of the Freshman Research in Plants (FRIPS) Program in 2018. For the past two years, Jennings, a junior majoring in plant sciences, has worked in the lab of Antje Heese, an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry. In the Heese lab, Jennings is responsible for research related to how clathrin-coated vesicle components make sure that proteins with immune…
A trio of researchers in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Division of Animal Sciences recently received a 2020 Research Equipment Grant from C-Lock Inc. to purchase one GreenFeed Pasture System, which measures the amount of methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide gases released by cattle.

Oct. 8, 2020

Division of Animal Sciences Receive 2020 Research Equipment Grant

A trio of researchers in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Division of Animal Sciences recently received a 2020 Research Equipment Grant from C-Lock Inc. to purchase one GreenFeed Pasture System, which measures the amount of methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide gases released by cattle. Jared Decker, associate professor and state beef Extension specialist, Eric Bailey, assistant professor and state beef Extension specialist, and Derek Brake, assistant professor, are the trio leading the project for CAFNR. Their focus will be on using GreenFeed for the prediction of cow efficiency genetic…

Oct. 8, 2020

Q&A With Tavair Tapp

What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? I am the office support assistant for the Office of Academic Programs within the School of Natural Resources. My responsibilities include: helping get grad plans approved and submitted, keeping students informed of job/internship opportunities, and I do the schedule changes for the courses offered in the upcoming semesters. I am also a member of our social media team, helping operate SNR’s Facebook and Instagram. How long have you worked in CAFNR? I happily rejoined the University of Missouri family in April 2020. What do you…
Barry Eschenbrenner and Sarah Lovell, co-superintendents of the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, virtually welcome guests to their Virtual Chestnut Roast event.

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…
Horticulture Specialist Juan Cabrera-Garcia

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,…
Ben Luebbering

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…
Dr. Bill Danforth

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.