Katie Ogan (Barthel) How rewarding is it to work with students in the agriculture degree program? It is very rewarding! I enjoy meeting with students with a variety of interests throughout CAFNR. We build out their concentration areas based on their interests so they can tailor the degree to their goals. I work with students interested in farm management, agritourism,…
Agriculture ⋅ Page 1
Senior Spotlight: Adam Slayton
Slayton will graduate with a degree in agriculture
Early in his college career, University of Missouri senior Adam Slayton was encouraged to take chances. He took that advice to heart and spent his time at MU soaking up opportunities to gain real-world learning experiences. Those experiences, many of which came through internships, opened the door for Slayton to land — and start — a full-time job; all before…
Amplifying Agriculture
Amp'd Up Ag gives CAFNR couple the opportunity to help farmers with their operations
Larna Schnitker can’t help but smile. Sure, she just spent half a day rounding up cattle that somehow found their way into the wrong pasture, forcing her to miss lunch completely. Plus she’s trying keep life at home, in Middletown, Mo., organized as she prepares for an important business trip. As a business owner, Schnitker said she knows that some…
Senior Spotlight: Maddy Meisel
Meisel will graduate with a degree in agriculture
The Academies at Jefferson City High School allow students to choose an area of interest to aid in their educational journeys. Maddy Meisel chose the Agriculture, Engineering, Trade and Industrial (AETI) Academy where she was able to learn more about animals, plants and food science. Along with her participation in the AETI Academy, Meisel joined her local FFA chapter, which…
Success On and Off the Mat
Keegan O'Toole and Rocky Elam, NCAA Div. I Wrestling All-Americans, work hard to balance their sport and their studies
Sophomores Rocky Elam and Keegan O’Toole had a singular goal in mind when they began the 2022 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships – win a national title. Both wrestlers improved on their finishes from last season, with O’Toole claiming a national title at 165 pounds and Elam securing a fourth-place finish at 197 pounds. The duo joined elite company in…
Developing Educational Programs
AG_ED_LD 4340 course has given students the chance to connect with industry partners and develop educational programs
The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) puts a priority on offering its students hands-on learning opportunities. Many of those opportunities come in the courses offered throughout CAFNR’s 14 degree programs. One of those courses, Designing and Delivering Educational/Leadership Programs (AG_ED_LD 4340), has given students the chance to connect with industry partners and develop educational…
Finding the Perfect Fit
Agriculture degree program has allowed Ellen Phillips to pursue her passions
In high school, Ellen Phillips gained an appreciation for law and policy through the local YMCA’s youth and government program. While Phillips originally thought a career in criminal justice was in her future, when she decided on attending the University of Missouri she veered toward another of her passions – agriculture. Phillips, who grew up in Mexico, Mo., was active…
Building His Own Degree
Agriculture program allowed Chase Monte to combine his interest areas into one degree
The agriculture degree program in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) allows students to create their own unique college experience. Students tailor a course of study to their interests, choosing concentration areas from CAFNR’s other degree programs. That opportunity was exactly what Chase Monte was looking for when he arrived at MU. “Essentially, I…
Q&A with Jill Scheidt
Scheidt is an Agronomy Field Specialist with the Agriculture and Environment Extension Program
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I serve row crop and forage producers in Southwest Missouri by presenting research-based programs related to relevant topics in agriculture. I also do field site visits and client calls, all while collaborating with local partners to bring timely research to the community. How long have you worked in this position? Eight years in the current full-time position. In 2011, I…
Q&A with Sam Polly
Polly is a Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator with Agriculture and Environment Extension Program
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 Educators and at…