Stories
July 20, 2021
Q&A with Sam Polly
During the pandemic, Polly made California and national news with his family’s giant produce. Polly says through this process he was able to encourage people in his previous community to start gardening and find a small piece of comfort in an unstable world. What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I work as the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) Coordinator. This entails working with various Extension Specialists to build the pesticide safety program, along with updating our manuals and resources. I also represent the state of Missouri in the American Association of Pesticide Safety…
July 14, 2021
A SNAPSHOT of Wildlife Patterns Nationwide
Wildlife behavioral patterns have been tracked by researchers across the United States for years. While many individual research studies have been done on this topic, a snapshot of the United States as whole, has not. Summer LaRose, research wildlife biologist at the University of Missouri (MU) in College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), participated in a nationwide study tracking wildlife pattern. The paper was titled SNAPSHOT USA 2019: A Coordinated national Camera Trap Survey of the United States. In total, over 83 species of mammals and 17 bird species were identified. The top 10 most common species identified…
July 14, 2021
Q&A with Shirin Ghatrehsamani
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? Extension plays a key role in disseminating research to individuals across Missouri so they can in turn make sound agricultural decisions for their operation. As an extension specialist of agricultural technology, my main responsibility is to inform producers, farmers, ranchers and researchers with varying levels of knowledge about up-to-date technologies and research. This education leads to agricultural efficiency and sustainability which increases profits while reducing our environmental footprint. How long have you worked in this position? I joined the MU Extension team in January 2020. This is…
July 8, 2021
Clark Gantzer Receives 2021 Soil and Water Conservation Society’s Associate Editor Excellence Award
Clark Gantzer, professor emeritus of soil, environmental and atmospheric sciences, was the recipient of the 2021 Soil and Water Conservation Society’s (SWCS) Associate Editor Excellence Award in recognition of associate editors for their contributions to the success and development of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Gantzer’s research focuses on soil and water conservation, and management and applied soil physics. The SWCS awards are presented each year to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in advocating and advancing the conservation of soil, water and related natural resources.
July 1, 2021
Studying Oxygen Levels in Lakes Around the World
A recent study shows that oxygen levels in temperate lakes around the world are declining rapidly, a trend that is largely driven by warming temperatures that threatens freshwater biodiversity and drinking water quality. Rebecca North, assistant professor of limnology in the University of Missouri (MU) College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), took part in a world-wide study, which used data from over 400 lakes around the world, looking at oxygen levels. Of the 400 lakes studied, data from 30 reservoirs in the state of Missouri were used. The paper, titled Widespread Deoxygenation of Temperate Lakes, was recently…
June 30, 2021
CAFNR Abstract Presented During North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Annual Conference
During the recent North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) annual conference, a peer-reviewed research abstract from a group of CAFNR faculty and staff was presented “live” during the virtual conference. A total of 208 abstracts were submitted and only 12 were presented during the conference. The abstract is titled “Factors Influencing College Choice of Matriculants and Non-Matriculants: A Generational Comparison.” Adam Cletzer, assistant professor and director of student services in the Division of Applied Social Sciences; Jon Simonsen, associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Division of Applied Social Sciences; and Julie Scroggs, director of student…
June 29, 2021
Q&A with David Hoffman
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I consult with livestock producers of all ages and all sizes of operations to provide unbiased, research-based information for their everyday questions or concerns that impact their business. This may be answering a single question, or providing continuous guidance to address a long-term issue. How long have you worked in this position? 25 years Livestock specialist David Hoffman viewing cattle during a farm visit (Photo provided by Hoffman). What is your favorite part about the work you do? My favorite part of the work I…
June 29, 2021
Building Missouri’s Economic Impact
Beef cattle research was introduced at the Thompson Research Center, located in Spickard, Mo., in 1963, and since that time the site has served as an important research location that emphasizes premium cattle genetics. Thompson, part of the University of Missouri (MU) College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Agricultural Experiment Station, is continuing to build on that prestigious research resume in 2021. With the help of a USDA Rural Business Development Grant, the Research Center has developed its own feedlot allowing specialists the opportunity to feed and keep cattle in the state and build Missouri’s economic impact. “If…
June 25, 2021
Leon Schumacher Receives 2021 Provost’s Award for Leadership in International Education
Leon Schumacher, professor and agricultural systems technology program coordinator, received the 2021 Provost’s Award for Leadership in International Education. This award recognizes MU faculty who have provided outstanding leadership in strengthening MU’s international dimension. Schumacher’s research focuses on topics such as precision agriculture, smart farm initiative, Internet of Things (IOT), automated farming systems and energy conservation including biodiesel, biomass and ethanol, as well as curriculum-related issues associated with agricultural systems technology.
June 25, 2021
Alba Argerich Receives 2021 Provost’s Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award
Alba Argerich, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources, received the 2021 Provost’s Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award.