Stories

Peter Sutovsky was recently named a2019 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Nov. 27, 2019

‘The Pinnacle of My Career’

Growing up in Slovakia, a young Peter Sutovsky would often hold his own science-based lectures in front of his elementary classmates. Those lectures would generally focus on insects, as Sutovsky had a big interest in entomology. “I would bring in my insect collection and explain how the organs of a male beetle were different than the organs of a female beetle,” Sutovsky. “It was a bit precocious – and an early introduction to the birds and the bees. There was definitely a natural curiosity and interest in science from a young age.” Little did Sutovsky know then that his early…

Shibu Jose’s appointment as associate dean for research and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station is effective immediately.

Nov. 22, 2019

Growing CAFNR’s Research Footprint

It was 10 years ago when Shibu Jose joined the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) as the H.E. Garrett Endowed Chair Professor in the School of Natural Resources (SNR) and the director of The Center for Agroforestry. During the past year, Jose has served as the interim associate dean for research in CAFNR and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES), CAFNR’s network of research centers throughout the state. The interim tag has now been officially removed. Jose’s appointment as associate dean for research and director of the AES is effective immediately. Jose became…

Students work with horses at the MU Equine Teaching Facility at South Farm. The Division of Animal Sciences recently unveiled a new equine science and management certificate.

Nov. 14, 2019

Learning by Doing

Experiential learning is embedded throughout MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources courses. From Cafe at Eckles, a café operated by students and faculty of the hospitality management program, to Tiger Garden, a student-operated florist shop, there’s no shortage of opportunities for CAFNR students to gain valuable work experience. The Division of Animal Sciences recently added an Equine Science and Management Certificate, a program that will allow students to emphasize and quantify to employers their hands-on work experience with horses. “This certificate focuses on hands-on experience,” said Marci Crosby, an instructor within animal sciences and the coordinator of the…

John Tummons receiving award

Nov. 11, 2019

Teaching Excellence

The son of junior high school teachers, it was only natural that John Tummons would eventually find himself in a classroom setting, empowering and equipping students to make a positive impact throughout the world. Tummons knew where he wanted to make that impact, too. Tummons earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Missouri, and it was while he was working toward his degree that he made a decision – he wanted to return to his alma mater as a professor. Now, 20 years later, Tummons is being honored on a national stage for his devotion to…

The University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) celebrated the grand opening of the new Land of the Osages Research Center on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The center will further research in agroforestry, a sustainability-focused system that combines trees and shrubs with crops — and sometimes livestock — to be managed on the same piece of land as a single ecosystem. Pictured, from left to right: Sarah Lovell, director for the Center for Agroforestry and co-superintendent of the Land of the Osages Research Center; Geoffrey Standing Bear, Principal Chief of the Osage Nation; Norman Akers, Chairman of the Traditional Cultural Advisors Committee; Alexander Cartwright, Chancellor, University of Missouri; Joe Tillman, Speaker of the Osage Nation Congress; Christopher Daubert, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Nov. 4, 2019

A Grand Celebration

The University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) celebrated the grand opening of the new Land of the Osages Research Center on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The center will further research in agroforestry, a sustainability-focused system that combines trees and shrubs with crops — and sometimes livestock — to be managed on the same piece of land as a single ecosystem. Chancellor Alexander Cartwright spoke during the opening festivities about how the new center will impact the surrounding communities in the Lake of the Ozarks area. “The Land of the Osages Research Center will bring more transformative…

Rob Kallenbach’s appointment as associate dean of CAFNR Extension/senior program director of Agriculture and Environment Extension is effective immediately.

Oct. 31, 2019

An Exciting Mission

It was more than 20 years ago when Rob Kallenbach joined the University of Missouri as an assistant professor and state Extension specialist in forage crops. Kallenbach served farmers and producers across the state, educating, answering questions and building relationships. With more experience, Kallenbach gained more responsibility, which in turn led to more leadership opportunities. Those opportunities led to new positions, and, last year, he was named the interim associate dean/senior program director of Agriculture and Environment Extension in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at MU. The interim tag has now been officially removed. Kallenbach’s appointment…

The Southwest Research Center held a ribbon cutting on Friday, Oct. 25, to celebrate the opening of a new facility.

Oct. 11, 2019

‘A Game Changer’

The Southwest Research Center was established in 1959 and serves 22 counties, with a focus on addressing the main agricultural concerns of area industries including beef, forage and horticultural crop production. The new facility will allow the Southwest Research Center to host more meetings, workshops, student activities and other events. Serving as a footprint for the University of Missouri in the southwest part of Missouri, the Center is a meeting place for farmers, producers, Extension regional specialists and students. The Southwest Research Center broke ground for a new facility last year, and held an official ribbon cutting on Friday, Oct.

Tim Safranski, professor in the Division of Animal Sciences and a state swine Extension specialist, received the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Golden Apple Award for going above and beyond in teaching and advising Tuesday morning, during his writing intensive swine production course. Safranski was surprised by the unexpected interruption, led by Bryan Garton, senior associate dean and director of academic programs, and Shari Freyermuth, assistant dean and director of student services.

Oct. 8, 2019

A Golden Surprise

Just four years into his tenure as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, Tim Safranski was given the Provost Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty. A year later, Safranski was honored with the National Pork Producers Council Swine Industry Award for Innovation in Education. Education has always been a focus for Safranski, who is a professor in the Division of Animal Sciences and a state swine Extension specialist, and the teaching awards continue to come. Safranski received the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Golden Apple Award for going above and beyond in…

Mizzou's historic columns

Oct. 8, 2019

Honoring CAFNR’s Top Alumni

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources has honored its second class of recipients of the CAFNR Column Award for Distinguished Alumni. This is the only award specifically for alumni presented by the college. The awardees include one graduate from each of CAFNR’s six divisions, reflecting the six historic columns at the University of Missouri. “We are proud to recognize these six impressive graduates of our college with the highest alumni honor from CAFNR,” said CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher R. Daubert. “This award is unique – and prestigious – as it is given directly by the college…

Pat Westhoff speaks to media

Sep. 18, 2019

Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) Celebrates its 35th Anniversary

This year, the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) celebrates its 35th anniversary. With its more than 20 contributing faculty, staff and students, FAPRI works with Congress to shape U.S. farm policy. It provides objective analysis of agricultural markets and policies and uses economic models to estimate how those policies affect consumers and markets. Access more information about the institute and its work at fapri.missouri.edu.