Stories

With funding help from the University of Missouri to enhance teaching and learning across campus, the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory has added even more features to help with student success. A team of Division of Plant Science and Technology faculty secured $100,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment – and the division also added funds to make it even more worthwhile. Photo courtesy of Soyon Park.

Feb. 23, 2023

Enhancing Learning Opportunities

With funding help from the University of Missouri to enhance teaching and learning across campus, the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory has added even more features to help with student success. A team of Division of Plant Science and Technology faculty secured $100,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment – and the division also added funds to make it even more worthwhile. Photo courtesy of Soyon Park. Two years ago, CAFNR recognized Henry Kirklin, a celebrated Black farmer and educator who lived in and around Columbia from 1858 until his death in 1938, with the naming of the Henry Kirklin Plant…
Ag Building

Feb. 23, 2023

2023 CAFNR Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program Winners Announced

The second batch of proposals funded by CAFNR’s Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program has been announced. The Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program supports nascent, collaborative, multi transdisciplinary research with the goal of developing a competitive proposal for federal funding. The following proposals were selected (listed by the PI, Co-PI/s and title of the project): David Braun, Zachary Traylor, Sherry Flint-Garcia and Pavel Somavat; Developing the new “craft whiskey” market: Evaluation of Missouri heritage corn lines Jill Kanaley and Abdelnaby Khalyfa; Sleep Restriction, Exosomes and Insulin Resistance Abraham Khoo; Novel ways to increase biomass oil production Mengshi Lin and Jung Mun (Journey) Yang; Development…
Dorian Giles, a 2016 CAFNR graduate, serves in numerous roles across the sports industry. He is the manager of long-time friend Charles Harris, a defensive end with the Detroit Lions, and worked with Moses Moody, a first round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors, during the Warriors’ championship season (2021-22). Giles currently serves as a consultant to two technology companies, too. He is also the basketball director with Humble Over Hype, a nonprofit focused on making changes through the spiritual development of athletes. It’s a lot to juggle but Giles said he enjoys the freedom that comes with each of his roles. Photo courtesy of Dorian Giles.

Feb. 22, 2023

Pursuing His Dreams

Dorian Giles had a tough decision to make early on as a student at the University of Missouri. Giles, an avid basketball player throughout his youth, had dreamed of one day suiting up at the collegiate level. While those dreams were put on the back burner as Giles chose to attend Mizzou, during his sophomore year he was in contact with a university about a playing opportunity. He suddenly had a life-changing choice to consider. Giles graduated in 2016 with a degree in parks, recreation, sport and tourism (emphasis in sport management), as well as a minor in business. He…
Ray stands in front of a green field presenting a poster to field day guests.

Feb. 20, 2023

Q&A with Ray Massey

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am an extension economist in the Division of Applied Social Sciences. My primary responsibilities revolve around crop production economics. I tend to focus on the intersection of production and the environment. So, I have done research and education on manure value, biosecurity, managing under extreme weather events and insurance decisions. I am fortunate to be able to work with faculty from other departments to create programs that meet the needs of Missouri farmers and businesses. Some programs that I have contributed. These programs…
Two white men in suits stand in front of a mural holding a plaque and smiling

Feb. 15, 2023

Animal Sciences Professor Named Distinguished Alumnus

Randall Prather, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, was recognized as the 2022 Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI) Distinguished Alumnus on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Prather obtained his bachelor’s (1982) and master’s (1984) degrees from Kansas State ASI. Prather has been a Mizzou faculty member since 1989 after completing his PhD and Postdoc at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “The ASI Department is proud to recognize Randy Prather as the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus,” said Mike Day, Kansas State ASI department head. “His impact extends from his foundation in animal agriculture and reproductive biology into many facets…
One of the more unique CAFNR study abroad opportunities is a summer program in Austria, which allows students to tailor an internship experience to their interest area. The first half of the program, which is offered through Salzburg College, prepares students for the international working environment they will eventually experience during their internship. CAFNR had four students participate in the Austria study abroad program last year – from left to right, Armana Gusewelle, Grayson Alexander, Matt Donzelli and Ellen Phillips. Photo courtesy of Salzburg College.

Feb. 15, 2023

An Exciting Global Partnership

The program served as the second study abroad experience for Phillips, a senior agriculture major. Along with her time at Salzburg College, Phillips spent five weeks living and serving as a farmhand on a diversified livestock farm in a rural town. Photo courtesy of Ellen Phillips. Students interested in study abroad have numerous opportunities to gain international experience through a variety of MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) programs. CAFNR hosts experiences throughout the year and across the globe. One of the more unique opportunities is a summer program in Austria, which allows students to tailor an…
When Kaija Caldwell first arrived at the University of Missouri she wasn’t sure where her interest in animals was going to take her. Caldwell left Mizzou in 2020 with an animal sciences degree and the equine science and management certificate. She had also found a passion for horses. Photo courtesy of Kaija Caldwell.

Feb. 13, 2023

Turning a Passion into a Career

“Horses are my career.” When Kaija Caldwell first arrived at the University of Missouri she wasn’t sure where her interest in animals was going to take her. Caldwell left Mizzou in 2020 with an animal sciences degree and the equine science and management certificate. She had also found a passion for horses. Photo courtesy of Kaija Caldwell. Kaija Caldwell said the words still feel surreal coming out of her mouth. When Caldwell first arrived at the University of Missouri she wasn’t sure where her interest in animals was going to take her. She certainly wasn’t expecting to fall in love…
As part of ensuring student success, the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) offers its students numerous opportunities to connect in meaningful ways with industry professionals. Those interactions come through a variety of programs, from CAFNR-sponsored experiences to degree-specific trips. For example, the Biochemistry Industry Tour included multiple meetings with professionals across the St. Louis area.

Feb. 13, 2023

Endless Educational Opportunities

As part of ensuring student success, the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) offers its students numerous opportunities to connect in meaningful ways with industry professionals. Those interactions come through a variety of programs, from CAFNR-sponsored experiences to degree-specific trips. Recently, CAFNR students met with a variety of professionals through the Agribusiness Career Connections Program, Dickinson Scholars Program and Biochemistry Industry Tour. The Agribusiness Career Connection program is designed to connect CAFNR undergraduates to various agribusinesses located throughout the Midwest. Students hear from businesses and organizations, with a focus on possible internships or future job opportunities. The…
Portrait of Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher R. Daubert

Feb. 10, 2023

Q and A with Christopher Daubert

As he celebrated his five-year anniversary as dean of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Christopher Daubert reflected on the college’s biggest accomplishments since 2017 and discusses top priorities moving forward. Q: How does CAFNR research support Missouri’s agriculture industry? A: CAFNR researchers are making discoveries and producing knowledge that help improve the production of Missouri commodities: beef, swine, corn, soybean and poultry. They have paved the way for genetic testing of cattle that can look for the presence of specific adaptions, such as heat resistance. They found zinc is a key regulator of sperm functions during the sperm…
A white man in kaki pants and a white polot-style shirt with a white and grey ball cap stands next to a large piece of farm equipment with an electrocution bar mounted on front.

Feb. 9, 2023

Three CAFNR Researchers Honored by WSSA

Three CAFNR researchers — Haylee Schreier, senior research associate; Mandy Bish, extension specialist; and Kevin Bradley, professor — were recently honored by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) for their outstanding contributions to the field of weed science. The trio was presented with the Outstanding Paper award during the organization’s 2023 annual meeting. The award-winning paper is The Impact of Electrocution Treatments on Weed Control and Weed Seed Viability in Soybean. It was published in Weed Technology in July.