Stories

Alex Muñoz just began his new role this summer as director of student recruitment in CAFNR. His job allows him to travel throughout the state and share how CAFNR helped prepare him for the future, as well as the great hands-on learning opportunities in each of the College’s 14 degree programs. He regularly meets with students and parents on campus as well. Photo courtesy of Alex Muñoz.

Oct. 11, 2022

An Advocate for CAFNR

Alex Muñoz shares all CAFNR has to offer as director of student recruitment.
Aerial photo of peanut harvest, including machinery and neat rows of the crop.

Oct. 6, 2022

More Missouri Farmers Growing Peanuts

Harvest underway in Bootheel region.
Elizabeth Benavides learned several important lessons as she worked toward her PhD in animal sciences at the University of Missouri – one of the most important of which was how to persevere in the face of failure. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Benavides.

Sep. 30, 2022

Transformative Experiences

Each of Elizabeth Benavides' three degrees prepared her to help connect undergraduate students with science.
Jason Zhang’s food science journey began in China at Jiangnan University, one of the top food science universities in the country. His first trip to the United States came after earning his undergraduate degree, when he was accepted as a graduate student at the University of Missouri. Zhang, who grew up in southern China, and his wife, Sha, first stepped onto the Columbia campus in 2011 as they both began the pursuit of their PhDs in food science. Photo courtesy of Jason Zhang.

Sep. 28, 2022

An Entrepreneurial Desire

Jason Zhang's interest in food science led him to the University of Missouri.
A large group of about 20 people pose for a photo in a green field

Sep. 27, 2022

Q&A with Joni Harper

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missour I am a county engagement specialist in agriculture and environment. I am involved in several MU Extension programs, like Heroes to Hives, for which I am the co-PI and one of the lead team members. I’m trained in delivering the Q.P.R. suicide prevention training and teach Weathering the Storm, a farmer/rancher stress program. I’m also working with the Missouri Vegetable Growers Association on the watermelon research specialty block grant, and I coordinate Master Gardener/Master Naturalist programs in three counties. How long have you worked in this position?…
Amy Marek is an academic advisor for students in the nutrition and exercise physiology, and food science and nutrition degree programs.

Sep. 26, 2022

CAFNR Advisor Spotlight: Amy Marek

How rewarding is it to work with students in the Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences? The most rewarding part of the job is getting to know each student and helping them create their own path to graduation. Being the academic advisor for two degree programs, it can seem like student meetings and emails are endless but it’s all a part of the job. It’s worth it to ease a student’s mind with a quick meeting or responding to their email if they are having concerns or needing advice. I will admit it’s hard when students graduate because I…
The Topics in Agricultural Education and Leadership course (AG_ED_LD 4001), taught by John Tummons, an associate teaching professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences, teaches students about a variety of specialized topics related to agricultural education. Students have the opportunity to educate Missouri high school students as well, through the Agriculture Education on the Move program.

Sep. 25, 2022

Topics in Agricultural Education and Leadership

The Topics in Agricultural Education and Leadership course (AG_ED_LD 4001), taught by John Tummons, an associate teaching professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences, teaches students about a variety of specialized topics related to agricultural education. Students have the opportunity to educate Missouri high school students as well, through the Agriculture Education on the Move program. Agriculture Education on the Move (AEOTM), a program of Missouri Farmers Care, began in 2011 as a way to bring free, hands-on agriculture education to third and fourth grade students throughout the state. The AG_ED_LD 4001 course allows Mizzou students to teach and…
Jennifer stands next to a man who is handing her an award.

Sep. 22, 2022

Jennifer Lutes receives NACAA Achievement Award

Jennifer Lutes received the Achievement Award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents during the 2022 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 19. The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) is a professional Extension organization geared toward Extension educators and other professionals who work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development, and related disciplines. The Achievement Award is awarded to Agents with fewer than 10 years of service in the Cooperative Extension Service who have exhibited excellence in the field of professional extension. Jennifer was one…
Amie is posing with a man who is handing her an award.

Sep. 22, 2022

Amie Schleicher receives NACAA Distinguished Service Award

Amie Schleicher received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents during the 2022 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 20. NACAA is a nation-wide professional Extension organization geared toward extension educators/agents and other professionals who work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development and related disciplines. The award is conferred on members who have worked in extension for at least 10 years, are held in high esteem by their fellow workers, and have developed and put into effect an outstanding extension program which…
Christian Fenton grew up in Columbia and said she chose the nutrition and exercise physiology degree program at the University of Missouri because of its focus on the influences of nutrition and physical activity on human health and disease. She said that with state-of-the-art facilities, there are multiple opportunities to see firsthand how exercise and healthy eating can affect an individual’s personal health, which also includes tooth health. She has already been accepted into the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry through the Reserved Admissions Program. Photo courtesy of Christian Fenton.

Sep. 22, 2022

Preparing for the dental field

Nutrition and exercise physiology (NEP), biochemistry offer students a pathway to careers in the medical field, including dentistry.