Richard Fordyce, the nominee for undersecretary for farm production and conservation at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, received CAFNR’s 2025 Mumford Award for Distinguished Service as part of the college’s Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 17.   

He has held leadership roles in agriculture on the local, state and national levels for more than 30 years, including serving as head of the Farm Service Agency for both Missouri and the U.S., on the United Soybean Board, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Osborn Barr Paramore’s director of ag business, as chairman of the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Commission, on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council board of directors, and as president of Harrison County Farm Bureau.  

“In addition to his service across the country, Richard is also an incredible advocate for what we do at Mizzou and in CAFNR by advocating for the tremendous importance and impact of the land-grant mission in today’s world,” said CAFNR vice chancellor and dean Christopher Daubert. “Having such an accomplished, knowledgeable and respected agricultural leader in our corner is an honor.”  

Fordyce has been recognized with Honorary Membership in CAFNR’s Alumni Association, is a member of Mizzou’s Missouri Water Center Advisory Committee, has spoken at CAFNR’s commencement, serves on the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station’s Northern Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center’s advisory board and on the Executive Board of the CAFNR Foundation.   

He and his wife Renee own and operate Fordyce Farms, a fourth-generation Missouri soybean, corn and cattle farm, in Harrison County.