Plant sciences ⋅ Page 1

From Student to Specialist

Nick Wesslak, who earned two degrees from CAFNR, is putting his education to use as an agronomy field specialist with MU Extension

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…

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,…

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).…

Making Valuable Connections

Grace Anderson has gained incredible hands-on learning experiences through Tiger Garden

Tiger Garden, the University of Missouri’s full-service, student-ran floral shop, opened its doors in 2005 and has provided numerous hands-on learning experiences for students across the MU campus. Those opportunities are what brought Grace Anderson to Mizzou. “I was really interested in the plant sciences degree program and when I toured, I had the opportunity to meet with Lesleighan (Cravens),”…

Senior Spotlight: Hunter Seubert

Seubert will graduate with a degree in plant sciences

As a college freshman, Hunter Seubert was working toward a degree in aviation when he realized that path wasn’t the correct one for him. He returned home to Blue Springs, Mo., and was soon connected with Colonial Gardens, a community greenhouse and local nursery. Seubert worked for Kevin Keilig, greenhouse manager at Colonial Gardens, who introduced Seubert to the University…

Connecting the Dots Between Soils and Plants

A double major, Khader Saleh is pursuing his passions for plants and horticulture

As a high school student at Centralia High School, Khader Saleh found himself spending a lot of time at Chance Gardens, a horticultural attraction listed on Missouri’s National Historic Registry. Saleh’s family lived 20 minutes outside of Centralia, so as he waited for them to pick him up after school or football practice, he would kill time by taking in…

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…

Senior Spotlight: Maya Puller

Puller will graduate with a degree in plant sciences

As a track and field athlete at the University of Missouri, time management was key for Maya Puller as she navigated being a college athlete and earning a degree in plant sciences. Some of Puller’s days began as early as 5 or 6 a.m. with practice and weightlifting, followed by her various classes and assignments. Puller, who will graduate from…