Administration
Christopher R. Daubert, Vice Chancellor and Dean, College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Bryan L. Garton, Senior Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs
Shibu Jose, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station
Robert Kallenbach, Associate Dean and Senior Program Director of Agriculture and Environment Extension
Jinglu Tan, Assistant Dean, Administrative Operations and Strategies
Office of Academic Programs
2-64 Agriculture Building • (573) 882-8301 • https://cafnr.missouri.edu/
Matt Arri, Director of Career Development
Shanon Dickerson, Director of International Study Programs
Laura Friedrich, Director of Academic Initiatives & Advising
Lena Johnson, Manager of Scholarships & Office Operations
Amy Marek, Director of Student Recruitment
Rachael Lees, Recruitment and Event Specialist
Katie Ogan, Coordinator of Student Success
Julie Rauba, Student Support Specialist, Sr.
About the College
The University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' "food for life" philosophy cultivates a healthy world through visionary and transformative solutions for the environment, food systems, economies and communities.
From incoming freshmen to postdoctoral fellows, students prepare for a wide range of careers. Professional development through campus organizations and interactions among industry partners ensure our graduates will make an impact in food systems, business, government policy, environmental awareness, education, law, medicine and other areas.
The Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station advances science in agriculture, food and natural resources, extending CAFNR’s research to almost 14,000 acres across the state to meet the regional needs of our farmers and producers.
Technology reaches the citizens of Missouri through the college’s Agriculture and Environment Extension program. Specialists within the college and in all 114 counties around the state interact with the public for real-world research applications to solve problems.
Admissions
Students admitted to the University of Missouri may enter the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) their first semester. Current Mizzou students who are looking to change majors into CAFNR need to contact CAFNR's Office of Academic Programs (CAFNRadvising@missouri.edu) to get connected with the correct advisor.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Requirements
Students should refer to degree program sections for course requirements. There are no specific college-wide degree requirements. Students must meet University general education and graduation requirements as well as the degree program requirements.
Advising
When entering the college, each student is assigned an advisor to assist in defining career goals and planning courses for a program of study that leads to graduation. The advisor also serves as a resource person for the student in a variety of academic and individual situations. One of a student’s first priorities is to meet and become acquainted with their advisor early in the semester. The student should consult with their advisor when planning or adding an academic credential.
Questions dealing with advising should be directed to Office of Academic Programs, 2-64 Agriculture Building, (573) 882-8301, cafnradvising@missouri.edu.
Academic Standing
In addition to the Academic Standing Policy of the University, see CAFNR's academic standing policies.
CAFNR Honors Requirements
The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Honors Program provides high-achieving students with the opportunity to engage in individualized, faculty-mentored research or scholarly experience culminating in a substantial Honors Project. Designed for students seeking to deepen their academic preparation, develop advanced research skills, and distinguishing themselves professionally, the program offers structured guidance, meaningful faculty engagement, and academic enrichment.
Program Requirements
To be eligible for the CAFNR Honors Program, students must:
- Have completed a minimum of 45 credit hours, including at least 30 credit hours at the University of Missouri
- Hold a minimum cumulative UM GPA of 3.5 at the time of application, which must be maintained throughout program participation.
- Submit for approval the CAFNR Honors Application at least two semesters prior to graduation, describing the proposed project.
Honors Committee Team
Each Honors student is supported by a small academic team, which includes:
- Advisory Committee (minimum of two faculty members): Provides guidance, approval, and oversight of the Honors Project. Committee members may include faculty from other MU colleges when appropriate.
- Research or Scholarly Project Mentor: Provides specialized supervision for laboratory, field, or scholarly work. This role may be fulfilled by a member of the Advisory Committee.
- Academic Advisor: Ensures that Honors Project credits align with degree program requirements and academic progress.
Project Flexibility
Honors Projects may take a variety of forms, including laboratory research, field studies, data analysis, creative or applied works, or other discipline-specific inquiry. Projects may be completed with or without formal course credit, depending on departmental practices and faculty mentor guidance.
How to Get Started
Students interested in CAFNR Honors should:
- Discuss potential project ideas with a faculty member or academic advisor.
- Identify prospective faculty committee members.
- Complete the CAFNR Honors Application.
- Begin work on the Honors Project.
- Complete and reflect upon the Honors Project experience.
Career Development and Professional Opportunities
Career development is a key component of the student experience. Our college provides career resources targeted specifically toward students’ interests and strengths. The CAFNR Career Development Team focuses efforts to help educate, empower, and connect CAFNR students with their future careers. The resources in CAFNR expand beyond resume reviews, mock interviews, and one-on-one sessions to explore career possibilities.
We focus on making valuable employer connections to help expand each student’s professional network. Students also have access and are encouraged to use https://missouri.joinhandshake.com/login to search open job and internship postings. Students are also encouraged to attend both of the career fairs during the year - one in the fall and one in the spring.
CAFNR graduates find rewarding careers in a variety of career fields including: private industry, state and federal agencies, start-ups, production agriculture, and more. Check out our student outcomes by going utilizing this link. By utilizing this link, you can see how MU has done, as a whole, and you can see the student outcomes data for CAFNR as well!
For additional resources to help you in your quest to become career ready, visit the CAFNR Career Development home page.
Experiential Learning
Employers want to hire students who have experience! CAFNR students have a variety of options when it comes to experiential learning. CAFNR’s focus on internships, study abroad, industry tours, and student organizations help students gain relevant experience that employers desire. Exploring these opportunities gives students the professional growth and network needed for career success after graduation.
Interested in gaining your own experiences? We want to help you reach your goals! You can reach us in a variety of ways. Stop by CAFNR's Office of Academic Programs in 2-64 Agriculture Building, call us at (573) 882-0088 or email CAFNRcareerservices@missouri.edu.
Study Abroad
CAFNR provides students with opportunities to study abroad on semester, May, summer, spring break and winter break programs. Study Abroad complements and enhances a student’s academic program by helping students gain independence and self-confidence, better understand new cultures and the world around them, and enhance their résumé. Study abroad experiences increase a student’s skill-set and add the valuable international dimension to their degree that employers seek.
For more information about CAFNR study abroad programs, contact Shanon Dickerson, CAFNR Director of International Study Programs, at dickersonsm@missouri.edu or (573) 882-8301.
Student Activities
Signature Experiences (R.I.S.E.)
The R.I.S.E. initiative ensures that all students have the opportunity to participate in at least two signature learning experience in Research, International Study, Service Learning or Experiential Learning. Through guidance and access to financial resources, the college supports students in pursuing high-impact educational activities that extend learning beyond the traditional classroom. R.I.S.E. reflects CAFNR’s commitment to delivering a practice-based education that promotes personal growth and career readiness.
RESEARCH
Research within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) contributes to advancements in health, environmental stewardship, and global food systems. Undergraduate students engage in research experiences that parallel those typically found in graduate-level programs. MU offers a variety of funded undergraduate research internships, many of which carry academic credit. Students work with a faculty mentor to develop and submit research proposals to both the college and the Office of Undergraduate Research. Given CAFNR’s broad range of disciplines, undergraduate research opportunities are extensive and varied.
INTERNATIONAL
CAFNR encourages global learning as an essential component of academic and personal development. Study abroad participation allows students to gain cultural competency, enhance communication skills and develop independence while learning in an international context. CAFNR supports these experiences through scholarships and loans awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and program selection. The college offers study abroad programs in more than 20 countries.
SERVICE LEARNING
CAFNR promotes civic engagement and leadership development through more than 40 student organizations and discipline-specific experiences. Each academic program provides opportunities for students to apply course content in community settings, collaborate with peers who share similar interests and participate in service-learning activities addressing relevant societal needs.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Experiential learning is integral to CAFNR’s academic mission. Students gain practical experience through college-operated enterprises, including a full-service floral shop, ice cream parlor, meat market, metabolic teaching kitchen, diagnostic labs, and several policy centers. These operations support the college’s research, teaching and outreach efforts while offering students hands-on learning environments and providing high-quality services to the public. CAFNR students may also participate in more than 10 competitive teams. The soil, meat, livestock, and dairy product judging teams, along with the Torq’N Tigers quarter-scale tractor pulling team, consistently achieve top placements at national competitions.
Graduate programs in CAFNR take an innovative, high-tech approach to the opportunities, challenges, and issues that face agriculture, food and natural resources. Students are highly engaged with expert faculty mentors who are impacting the future with findings on health breakthroughs, sustainable agriculture techniques and food safety. Prospective students are able to choose from a range of academic programs consistently recognized for excellence:
- Agricultural and Applied Economics (MS and PhD)
- Agricultural Education (PhD)
- Agricultural Leadership, Communication and Education (MS)
- Animal Sciences (MS and PhD)
- Biochemistry (MS and PhD)
- Dietetics (MS)
- Food and Hospitality Systems (MS and PhD)
- Natural Resources (MS and PhD)
- Agroforestry
- Fisheries and Wildlife
- Forestry
- Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
- Parks, Recreation and Tourism
- Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences
- Water Resources
- Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (MS)
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Sciences
- Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (PhD)
- Exercise
- Nutritional Sciences
- Personal Financial Planning (MS)
- Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences (MS and PhD)
Find CAFNR degree program descriptions by following the links in the left navigation column.
Note: Prospective graduate students must apply to both the degree program of interest and to the MU Graduate School. In most cases, the entire application process may be completed online. Find admission and application details by selecting the degree program of interest in the left navigation column.
