Stories
May 3, 2021
Keith Spackler Receives Citation of Merit Award from the CAFNR Alumni Association
Keith Spackler has received the 2021 Citation of Merit from the CAFNR Alumni Association as part of its annual awards.
May 3, 2021
Michael F. Smith Named Honorary Member of the CAFNR Alumni Association
Michael F. Smith, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, has been named an Honorary Member of the CAFNR Alumni Association as part of their 2021 awards celebration.
May 3, 2021
Al Kennett Honored With True Tiger Volunteer Award From CAFNR Alumni Association
Al Kennett, New London, Mo., has received the 2021 True Tiger Award, given each spring by the CAFNR Alumni Association.
May 3, 2021
Stacey Follis Honored With Past President Award from CAFNR Alumni Association
Stacey Follis has been honored with the 2021 Past President Award from the CAFNR Alumni Association. Follis graduated from Mizzou’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources with a BS in General Agriculture and a minor in Animal Science in 1998, and an MS in Animal Science-Reproductive Physiology in 2000. She is in veterinary medicine research and development for Zoetis. While at Mizzou, Follis was involved in Ag Ambassadors, Student Council, Independent Aggies and Block and Bridle. Follis has served on the St. Francois County Extension Council and is president of the Parkland Area Tigers chapter of the Mizzou Alumni…
May 3, 2021
Carol Swaim Receives Haynes Distinguished Service Award from the CAFNR Alumni Association
Carol Swaim, administrative assistant, Agricultural Education and Leadership program, has been named the recipient of the 2021 Dana Brown Haynes Distinguished Service Award, given by the CAFNR Alumni Association each spring. Swaim has been part of the Agricultural Education and Leadership team for 16 years, and at Mizzou for 27 years. She is a three-time recipient of the CAFNR Staff Advisory Council’s Above and Beyond award (2009, 2013 and 2018). In 2015 she received an Honorary State FFA Degree – the highest degree presented by the Missouri FFA Association to individuals for their dedication to furthering agricultural education and FFA.
April 30, 2021
Bissonnette Receives Faces of the Future Award from American Phytopathological Society
Kaitlyn Bissonnette, assistant Extension professor, plant sciences, has been awarded the Schroth Faces of the Future award from the American Phytopathological Society for her work in applied nematology and Extension nematology. This award is given to forward-thinking scientists within 10 years of earning their PhD who are perceived to be future leaders in the field. Bissonnette coordinates a regional applied nematology project exploring the impacts of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) seed treatments on SCN reproduction and soybean yield across more than 12 US states and one Canadian province. This includes research at four MU research stations. In addition to…
April 29, 2021
Increasing fruit and vegetable production
With lower initial investments and higher returns, fruit and vegetable production could play a big role in doubling the state’s agricultural economy by 2030, according to a study by University of Missouri researchers. “Compared to row crops, you don’t have to have as many acres of fruit and vegetables to generate a significant return,” said John Kruse, associate research professor in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. “A farmer we interviewed for a recent study produced 2 acres of specialty crops. The way he had his operation constructed, he was generating between $200,000 and $300,000 a year on…
April 28, 2021
Two Retired CAFNR Professors Receive 2021 Awards from Missouri Park and Recreation Association
Two retired CAFNR Parks, Recreation and Sport professors recently received awards from the Missouri Park and Recreation Association. Jerry Hitzhusen (pictured left at a previous award ceremony), associate professor emeritus, was inducted into the Missouri Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame. His career, which started with Mizzou in 1974, focuses on therapeutic recreation. He is an international advocate for disabled athletes and is committed to recreation therapy for veterans and advocacy for minority aging populations. Hitzhusen secured more than $6 million in therapeutic recreation grants and programs over his time at Mizzou, and has received the PALESTRA Leadership Award…
April 27, 2021
An Entrepreneurial Passion
A background in agriculture, a degree in animal sciences from the University of Missouri and an entrepreneurial passion helped Elaine Martin launch Blue Cedar Beef in 2019. Martin and her husband, Brendan, saw a problem in their local community – and came up with a solution. “We had been selling halves and whole beeves to family, neighbors and friends for several years but kept getting requests for smaller quantities of beef,” Elaine said. “I combined that idea with the fact that you can get nearly anything today shipped to your doorstep. Why not get quality beef shipped to your doorstep…
April 27, 2021
Enhancing Animal Reproduction
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded nearly $11 million in funding for grants related to enhancing animal reproduction, and improving the welfare and well-being of agriculture animals. Researchers in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Division of Animal Sciences earned three of the 15 grants related to enhancing animal reproduction. MU was awarded just more than $1 million of the $6.72 million total investment in animal reproduction. “Our researchers in the Division of Animal Sciences continue to make great strides related to animal reproduction…