Stories

Nichole Anderson, assistant teaching professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, recently received a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant that is focused on using virtual reality to increase student understanding and interest in farm animal welfare. The four virtual reality modules, that the grant will help develop, will focus on operating, commercial dairy and swine farms.

Oct. 27, 2020

A Full Farm View

When Nichole Anderson joined the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Division of Animal Sciences in the fall of 2018, she was focused on bringing more technology into the classroom. With the help of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant, Anderson is taking a big step in that direction. The grant, worth more than $270,000, is focused on using virtual reality to increase student understanding and interest in farm animal welfare. The four virtual reality modules that the grant will help develop will focus on…
Patrick Market was recently named the director of the School of Natural Resources. Market, who has spent his entire professional career at MU, was hired in 1999 as an assistant professor of atmospheric science. He became an associate professor of atmospheric science in 2005, and moved to a full professor in 2013.

Oct. 22, 2020

Up to the Challenge

For the past 20 years, Patrick Market has been a steady presence in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) School of Natural Resources (SNR). Market, who has spent his entire professional career at MU, was hired in 1999 as an assistant professor of atmospheric science. He became an associate professor of atmospheric science in 2005, and moved to a full professor in 2013. Since January 2019, Market has also served as the interim director of SNR. Market’s newest role in CAFNR, which is effective Nov. 1, is as the director of SNR. “I look…

Oct. 21, 2020

Matthew Lucy Serves as Editor-in-Chief of New Journal

The first issue of JDS Communications, a new journal from the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), is now available. Matthew Lucy, a professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, serves as the editor-in-chief of the new publication. “JDS Communications will offer a fresh and different publication option for dairy scientists,” Lucy said. “We are interested in high-quality research studies that are focused, hypothesis-driven and designed to answer a specific question on the production or processing of milk or milk products intended for human consumption.” Lucy added that the publication will serve as a home for short communications, technical notes…
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,…