Stories

Tahira Hira, professor emeritus at Iowa State University, was honored as a CAFNR Column Award winner in fall 2022.

March 13, 2023

CAFNR Celebrates Women’s History Month: Q&A with Tahira Hira

Tahira Hira (MS Agricultural Economics ’73; PhD Family Economics & Financial Management ’76) is an internationally recognized leader in personal finance and consumer economics. She is professor emeritus in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State University and also served as senior policy advisor to the president of the university, overseeing initiatives around enhancing research, awards/honors and the student experience. Her research and teaching focused around consumer behavior, financial literacy, investment behavior and financial education. She has served as a member of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, chaired the NYSE committee on financial literacy,…
Nick Wesslak earned two degrees from Mizzou – a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences and a master’s degree in natural resources. After stops in two states, Wesslak recently joined MU Extension as an agronomy field specialist where he covers eight counties in northeast Missouri. Photo courtesy of Nick Wesslak.

March 10, 2023

From Student to Specialist

As a high school student in Salem, Mo., Nick Wesslak was an active member of his local FFA chapter. That experience not only introduced him to the University of Missouri, it also showed him an interesting career path – one that he is now serving in with MU Extension. Wesslak earned two degrees from Mizzou – a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences and a master’s degree in natural resources. After stops in two states, Wesslak recently joined MU Extension as an agronomy field specialist where he covers eight counties in northeast Missouri. “I’m really happy to be back in the…
Family posing for a photograph at an awards ceremony. Everyone dressed in black and gold.

March 10, 2023

CAFNR Celebrates Women’s History Month: Q&A with Stacey Follis

Stacey Follis shared the moment with her family as she received the 2022 CAFNR Column Award for Animal Sciences last fall. Stacey L. (Wood) Follis (BS Agriculture – Minor in Animal Sciences ’98; MS Animal Sciences – Reproductive Physiology ’00) has been employed in the animal health industry for more than 22 years. Her focus is in clinical development with a wide spectrum of experience, from bovine to feline to canine to swine, contributing to more than 30 product indications. Follis started her career with Pharmacia & Upjohn in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has not technically changed employers since, although…
A map of the United States shows a large green shaded area that covers all but the northwestern and southwestern corners of the state of Missouri, indicating above average precipitation is expected for the spring months. The east central portion of the state is shaded a darker shade of green.

March 9, 2023

An End in Sight

The Spring Equinox will usher in the season of blooms and rebirth in just a couple of weeks, and according to one expert, this year it will bring some much-needed relief to farmers after devastating drought last year. It may, however, also bring with it a dark side — an increased likelihood of severe weather. Tony Lupo, University of Missouri professor of atmospheric science and interim state climatologist, tracks long-term weather patterns, and he is confident that this spring and summer will bring drought relief and excellent growing conditions for the bulk of the state. He attributes the drought to…
Matt Fleming, with wife, Kate, and children at Disney World

March 7, 2023

Get to Know Matt Fleming

Matt Fleming and his wife Kate plan an annual fun-filled trip to Disney World for their family. What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? As the CAFNR Coordinator of Facilities and Operations, I work closely with faculty and staff to ensure their spaces are best supporting the strategic plan of the College and the Education, Research and Extension mission of the University. In my role, I’m able to help plan long and short term on how CAFNR can best use its spaces both in Columbia and within the four Research, Extension and…
A field of green covered with red clover flowers

March 7, 2023

$10 Million Grant will Help MU Double the Acreage of Cover Crops in the U.S. by 2030

Rob Myers, director of MU’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture, is leading a new $10 million grant project from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to support farmers and improve agriculture practices during severe weather and a warming climate.The project aims to help double the acreage of cover crops in the U.S. to 40 million acres by 2030. Cover crops — plants that are used to protect and improve soil during a time when other crops are not being grown — help reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, smother weeds,…

March 2, 2023

Five CAFNR Students Earn Mizzou ’39 Honors

This week, the Mizzou Alumni Association and Alumni Association Student Board named the 2023 Mizzou 18 Award and Mizzou ’39 Award recipients. In the spirit of service that was the cornerstone of the 1839 founding of the University of Missouri, the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board presents the Mizzou ’39 Award to 39 outstanding seniors each year. Recipients are chosen for their academic achievement, leadership, and service to Mizzou and the community. The five CAFNR students to earn the honor are: Javier Kelly Cuenca – Biochemistry Kelly Gillespie – Hospitality Management Isaiah Massey – Agriculture Jack McGrath – Parks, Recreation,…
Libby Johnson serves as an academic advisor for the natural resource science and management degree program.

Feb. 26, 2023

CAFNR Advisor Spotlight: Libby Johnson

Libby Johnson serves as an academic advisor for the natural resource science and management degree program. How rewarding is it to work with students in the natural resource science and management degree program? I love it! I love relating to the students through my nerdy office décor and being interested in what they are interested in. I also feel like my faculty and students are so kind and down to earth. Even if I don’t feel competent in the position, the students are appreciative of my help. I feel like I get to help them and see fruits of…
MU livestock judging team.

Feb. 24, 2023

Mizzou Livestock Judging Team Finishes Third at Dixie National

The Mizzou Livestock Judging Team recently finished third at the Dixie National Collegiate Beef Judging contest, held in Jackson, Miss. Along with the third-place overall finish, the team finished third in Reasons, Market Steers and Continental Cattle. The group earned fifth-place markings in Brahman Cattle and English Cattle as well. Jenna Blessing, a senior agriculture major, finished sixth in Market Steers. Pictured, left to right: assistant coach Clint Bailey, senior, agriculture; Shane Vehige, junior, animal sciences; Sam Wheeler, junior, agriculture; Grant Stafford, junior, agriculture; Brady Schnelten, junior, animal sciences; Addie Thessen, junior, plant sciences; Blessing; Allison Eitel, senior, agriculture; and…
red wine grapes on the vine

Feb. 23, 2023

MU Grape & Wine Institute Grows as Interest in Winemaking Grows

Interest in Missouri winemaking exploded during the coronavirus pandemic and the University of Missouri Grape and Wine Institute (GWI) has responded to meet the demand. The GWI is a collaborative partnership between the Missouri wine and grape industry and the University of Missouri. The Missouri Wine and Grape Board provides guidance and oversight to ensure that GWI fulfills its responsibilities. GWI provides information and advice on all issues related to viticulture and enology. Viticulture is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes for winemaking. Enology is the science of wine and winemaking. There are 130 wineries in Missouri with several being large…