As a high school student in Salem, Mo., Nick Wesslak was an active member of his local FFA chapter. That experience not only introduced him to the University of Missouri, it also showed him an interesting career path – one that he is now serving in with MU Extension. Wesslak earned two degrees from Mizzou – a bachelor’s degree in…
Division of Plant Science and Technology ⋅ Page 1
Enhancing Learning Opportunities
New funding brings state-of-the-art equipment to Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory
Two years ago, CAFNR recognized Henry Kirklin, a celebrated Black farmer and educator who lived in and around Columbia from 1858 until his death in 1938, with the naming of the Henry Kirklin Plant Sciences Learning Laboratory (3-35 Agriculture Building). Plant sciences students have been able to benefit from the renovated space through a variety of courses and laboratory work.…
Senior Spotlight: Michael McLaughlin
McLaughlin will graduate with a degree in plant sciences
Michael McLaughlin’s first visit to the University of Missouri was an unofficial one, but that’s all it took for him to realize that MU was the place he needed to be. McLaughlin, who was 14 years old at the time of the trip, was visiting his cousin and saw numerous spots across campus. It was the final stop that sold…
CAFNR Advisor Spotlight: Mackenzie Ewing
Ewing serves as an academic advisor for the agricultural systems technology and plant sciences degree programs
How rewarding is it to work with students in the agricultural systems technology and plant sciences degree programs? It has been so rewarding working with agricultural systems technology (AST) and plant sciences students! I have been lucky to see them as prospective students and meet the important people in their lives, to being their instructor and seeing them open up,…
Growing His Writing Portfolio
Joe Butler's job with Gardener's Path allows him to combine his two passions – plants and writing
Through numerous hands-on learning opportunities as a plant sciences major at the University of Missouri – and a variety of jobs and internships – Joe Butler gained valuable experiences that he knew would one day prepare him for the workforce. Those experiences showcased multiple industry options to Butler, who realized that he wanted to find a career where he could…
An Advocate for CAFNR
Alex Muñoz shares all CAFNR has to offer as director of student recruitment
During a college visit to the University of Missouri as a high school senior, Alex Muñoz was ready to go home. Munoz said his morning meeting didn’t quite go to plan and he was ready to skip out on his second session, which was to take place with a representative from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR).…
CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: Farm of the Future — The Digital Age of Agriculture
CAFNR, USDA-ARS collaboration helps farmers adopt digital technologies to improve their operations
This story appears in our MU CAFNR/Agricultural Experiment Station Research Magazine. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has a long and productive history of research collaborations that have resulted in important long-term data for farmers and producers across Missouri. CAFNR serves as a regular collaborator with USDA-ARS, including numerous current projects within the Cropping Systems and…
CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: A Big Plan for a Small Berry
Andrew Thomas, research assistant professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, has received a $5 million Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant
This story appears in our MU CAFNR/Agricultural Experiment Station Research Magazine. Andrew Thomas has big plans for a small berry. Thomas, a research assistant professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri, has received a Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant from the U.S.…
Get to Know Mackenzie Ewing
Ewing is the senior academic advisor in Plant Science & Technology
What are your job duties/job responsibilities in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources? I am the Senior Academic Advisor for the Division of Plant Sciences & Technology. I advise, assist with recruitment, and teach career development for Plant Sciences & Agricultural Systems Technology students. How long have you worked in CAFNR? I have been in CAFNR since August…
An Eye-Opening Honor
Marco Walden, CAFNR's first Henry Kirklin Memorial Scholarship awardee, has worked in numerous greenhouses on the MU campus
A member of the Missouri National Guard, Marco Walden was called into disaster and humanitarian relief efforts during the initial COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in mid-2020. Walden served the state in multiple ways as a combat medic, from helping with testing to providing vaccinations for individuals in smaller communities and towns. Walden, a junior majoring in plant sciences, took a gap…