Stories

Each year, high school students from across the state travel to the University of Missouri to take part in the State FFA Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Development Events (CDEs). The MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) offers its expertise for these events, as faculty, staff and students lend a hand in setting up and running the competitive events. CAFNR went the extra mile this year to host an in-person event, and worked to offer the same strong CDEs while also following health and safety protocols.

May 17, 2021

An important learning tool

While following health and safety protocols, CAFNR hosts in-person CDEs for Missouri high school students.

April 15, 2021

Q&A With Katie Crider

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in food science and nutrition? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? My decision to come to the University of Missouri was a fairly easy one after I visited campus and met with the CAFNR staff. Everyone I met was very friendly and made me feel very welcome. Originally, I was an animal sciences major; however, that was very short-lived when I realized that field was not for me. I quickly switched to hospitality when I discovered that I liked working with…
Chloe Dobson has stayed busy during her time at MU, and as she heads toward graduation in May, she is participating in her most unique project yet – a virtual international internship with Camerata Salzburg, an internationally-renowned chamber orchestra based in Salzburg, Austria. Photo courtesy of Chloe Dobson.

April 15, 2021

A ‘Mind-Blowing’ Experience

When Chloe Dobson arrived at the University of Missouri in 2017, her declared major was political science. Dobson said she was hoping to eventually attend law school. A Thomas Rhett concert at Mizzou changed all of that. Dobson signed up as event staff for the concert, which took place in late 2017. After working the entire event, Dobson switched her major to hospitality management in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). “I was really, really broke at the time, so when I saw an email about a paying job working the concert, I signed up,” Dobson…
Abigail Turner, a senior studying agricultural education, has spent a good portion of her collegiate career at the University of Missouri traveling – through study abroad experiences and other opportunities. Those experiences have offered Turner the chance to gain valuable insights and broadened her view of the world. Photo courtesy of Abigail Turner.

March 18, 2021

Gaining a New Perspective

The day after Abigail Turner graduated from high school she jumped on an airplane and flew to Australia with the encouragement of her parents, who love to travel. Turner grew up in Brookfield, Mo., a town of less than 4,500 people, and the trip to Australia was her first foray into international travel. It wouldn’t be her last. Turner, a senior studying agricultural education, has spent a good portion of her collegiate career at the University of Missouri traveling – through study abroad experiences and other opportunities. Those experiences have offered Turner the chance to gain valuable insights and broadened…

March 17, 2021

Q&A With Toyin Jackson

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in food science and nutrition? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? The initial reason I was drawn to the University of Missouri was because I was selected to be in the inaugural class of MU Stamps Scholars through the Honors College. I visited campus during my latter years of high school, specifically the food science program and Dr. (Ingolf) Gruen. What stuck out to me during that visit was the program’s level of autonomy and the freedom to carve out your…

Feb. 18, 2021

Q&A With Lydia Jefferson

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in environmental sciences? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? I’ve wanted to come to Mizzou since I was in eighth grade, back when I wanted to be a fiction writer. Even though my interests shifted to STEM during high school, my admiration for Mizzou did not. I came in as a biochemistry major but switched to environmental sciences-water because I didn’t want to leave the home I found in CAFNR, but was struggling with my courses. I ultimately decided on environmental…
When Lauren Eagon came to the University of Missouri to study natural resource science and management, one of her goals was to complete her own research project. With the help of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), Eagon, who is now a senior, has been an active participant in undergraduate research throughout her collegiate career. She has gained hands-on experience through various research projects, where she has partnered with CAFNR faculty, staff and graduate students. She has also accomplished her goal and conducted her own research. Photo courtesy of Lauren Eagon.

Feb. 17, 2021

Part of the Frontline Discovery Group

When Lauren Eagon came to the University of Missouri to study natural resource science and management, one of her goals was to complete her own research project. With the help of faculty mentors in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), Eagon, who is now a senior, has been an active participant in undergraduate research throughout her collegiate career. She has gained hands-on experience through various research projects, where she has partnered with CAFNR faculty, staff and graduate students. She has also accomplished her goal and conducted her own research. “Providing undergraduates with such a valuable opportunity…
Balaji

Jan. 21, 2021

Q&A With Balaji Cherupalla

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in biochemistry? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? As someone who has grown up in Missouri and spent a considerable amount of time in Columbia, Mizzou was my clear choice for college. Coming into my first year at MU, I knew that I wanted to become a physician. I contemplated several majors, but the Department of Biochemistry stood out to me due to the quality of the faculty and how the coursework would prepare me for medical school. The Department of…
Animal Science 2140: Companion Animals, is a course dedicated to teaching students about companion animals such as cats, dogs and horses. The course is one of numerous service learning opportunities across the University of Missouri campus that students can participate in.

Jan. 21, 2021

A Commitment to Social Responsibility and Public Service

For the past five years, Rocío Melissa Rivera has helped students find ways to make a positive impact in the Columbia community through service learning. Rivera, an associate professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, teaches Animal Science 2140: Companion Animals, a course dedicated to teaching students about companion animals such as cats, dogs and horses. The course is one of numerous service learning opportunities across the University of Missouri campus that students can participate in. Students in this specific course pick a local organization that features companion animals, such as the Central Missouri Humane Society or the Cedar Creek…

Dec. 21, 2020

Q&A With Regan Ragsdale

Why did you decide to come to the University of Missouri and major in agribusiness management? What do you enjoy about the program itself? The field of study? Attending the University of Missouri and studying in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources was always a no-brainer in my eyes. The diverse campus, phenomenal staff and opportunities to grow I saw as a senior in high school have far exceeded my expectations. My corn and cattle roots have left me incredibly passionate about the agriculture industry. Therefore, choosing agribusiness management as a major has been a phenomenal choice. Having…