Profile —
Steve Barr: from farmer to CEO
by Constance Berneking, posted Dec. 17, 2008
Steve Barr is the founder and chief executive officer of Osborn & Barr Communications, which was founded in 1988. Osborn & Barr began with one client and now serves many companies nationwide. They have offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Ontario. Barr is an agricultural journalism alumnus from MU. He visited MU classrooms Oct. 6 and 7 as part of the CAFNR Executive in Residence program.

Journey into Taiwan
Photos and audio by Bev Kreul; Soundslides assistance from Courtney McLain
Beverly Kreul, Missouri FFA State Officer and freshman MU agricultural journalism major, along with five other students from Missouri and Nebraska, visited Taiwan in late November to learn about different types of agriculture.

My view:
Final exams bring both anxiety and relief
by Alex Roach, posted Dec. 17, 2008
There are three things that college parties and final exams have in common: late nights, not much rest, and people consuming the strongest energy drink on the market. While we’d all rather be attending a college party, final exams could ultimately determine our course in the future. Along with those exams comes the hardest thing of all … studying. How do we prepare ourselves for this endeavor?

Cedar Creek Riding Center Slideshow
Audio by Kyla Berendzen, photos by Courtney Niendick
Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, located about 5 miles south of Columbia, uses horseback riding to provide therapy - and fun - for handicapped children. Watch our Soundslides show to hear Executive Director Karen Grindler speak about the numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits of horseback riding and of caring for and bonding with a horse.

Bigger freshman class: What that means for MU
by Thomas Mershon, posted Dec. 11, 2008
As the fall semester draws to a close, MU gets a chance to look back on its record-setting freshman class of 2008. While most people immediately think of higher admission numbers and applications as proving how successful the university is, one has to wonder about the negative connotations introduced because of more students.

A Big 12 Champion: Ashley Hamblin
by Kendra Foster, posted Dec. 11, 2008
“Before the game, knowing you are that close to a championship, that's a very big feeling. It was also very motivating,” said Ashley Hamblin, No. 20 of the MU girls’ soccer team, about the game for the Big 12 Championship.

Reflections on My Weekend with AFA
by Adam Jobe, posted Dec. 7, 2008
I realized as I was packing my trunk for the weekend of Nov. 6 through 9 for a week of conferences, that if I started out being negative about my weekend, that’s only going to make it negative. I also realized that I’m running behind, so I drove 80 mph from my house to I-70 to meet up with my friends. We were heading to the Agriculture Future of America Leadership Conference at Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. These were the four days that I had been dreading since I learned of my trip back in April.

Noel Decor
by Constance Berneking, posted Dec. 7, 2008
With Thanksgiving over and Christmas just a few weeks away, MU students are anxious to take their finals and head home. But for the meantime, there are many ways for students to show their Christmas spirit right here on campus.

The Season of Giving
by Courtney McLain, posted Dec. 7, 2008
Two years ago on a cold December morning a man rode by my family’s farm on his bicycle. This man was living in a tent a few miles north of my house, and his bicycle was his only transportation. It was a few days before Christmas, and we were cozy in our house with warm sweaters on while baking cookies. That same evening when the man rode by, my mother gathered up a basket of cookies and took them to him. He did not speak to my mother, but the smile behind his long, scruffy beard was more than enough thanks. I remember standing at the door of my house and watching as he peddled away with the basket tucked gently in the right side of his tattered coat, trying to keep the snow off of it.

Mizzou for the Holidays
by Constance Berneking, posted Dec. 7, 2008
With the first semester winding down, students are beginning to concentrate on studying for finals. To survive this stressful time, Columbia provides some cheerful holiday events for everyone to enjoy.

Poinsettias for sale this week
by Kendra Foster, posted Dec. 3, 2008
Tiger Garden and the MU Horticulture Club have poinsettias on sale this week. These Christmas-time plants have long been a tradition for those celebrating the holidays. The Horticulture Club will be selling them in the hallway of the agriculture building Dec. 4 and 5.

Financial crisis has students' futures in question
by Adam Jobe, posted Dec. 1, 2008
With recession in fear, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than 20 percent in the first seven days of trade in October. On what was called, “Manic Monday,” Oct. 13, 2008, the Dow gained 936.42 points; this was the largest daily gain in history. With another gain towards history, on Nov. 5 and 6, the Dow, had its largest two-day loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, according to Marketvalue.com, is the average of 30 of the largest, most widely traded companies. Some of these companies include AT&T, General Motors Co. and Kraft Foods. The Dow drops when these companies begin to lose profits, dropping their stocks.

PAS now encompasses universities
by Kendra Foster, posted Dec. 1, 2008
The Missouri Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization unanimously voted Nov. 7 to alter the MOPAS Constitution to extend membership to students enrolled in four-year universities. As the MOPAS state reporter and acting secretary, I recorded it. Then, just a couple of hours later, I gave over my office to perhaps one of the last state officers from a community college.

CAFNR leaves 'pawprint' on cancer
by Jessica England, posted Dec. 1, 2008
The College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources hosted the CAFNR Against Cancer photo shoot between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 24 and Monday, Oct. 26. The CAFNR Student Development Board sold commemorative CAFNR Against Cancer T-shirts and the chance to sign a poster leaving their “pawprint” on cancer. The proceeds went to CAFNR cancer research teams.

Missouri State Fair queen never gave up hope
by Jessica England, posted Dec. 1, 2008
Whitney Wallace, the 2008 and 2009 Missouri State Fair Queen, knows what it takes to compete and win a pageant. She started her pageant path when she was crowned Miss Henry County Fair queen on July 12. After being crowned Miss Henry County, Wallace decided to participate in the Missouri State Fair Queen pageant, where she competed against 57 contestants. She was crowned on Aug. 8 at the Mathewson Exhibition Center in Sedalia.

Ethical eating: Artisan hosts discussion on religion and food
by Kristy Tiesing, posted Nov. 21, 2008
Many gathered Saturday morning, Nov. 15, at the Cherry Street Artisan in downtown Columbia for an open discussion on the ethical issues behind what we eat. The discussion, entitled “Sects in the City: Coffee and conversation about the intersection of faith and life,” focused on the religious aspects of eating different meats and the agricultural processes used to obtain that meat.

Mizzou football player shows promise for the future
by Thomas Mershon, posted Nov. 17, 2008
At 6 feet 5 inches and 290 pounds, Seth Elvis Fisher, or Elvis, is a person who tends to stand out in a crowd. That is unless the crowd is his fellow offensive linemen and other teammates, in which case the redshirt freshman somehow manages to blend in. Being the Mizzou starting left tackle at such a young age shows how quickly Fisher has risen through the ranks.

Carving lasting impressions
by Courtney McLain, posted Nov. 7, 2008
Students and faculty stopped by the Academic Programs office to cast their vote at the annual pumpkin carving contest from 9 to 11 a.m., Oct. 31, in College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources.

11 MU Students serve as official delegates to the 81st National FFA Convention
by Beverley Kreul, posted Nov. 7, 2008
Eleven students helped decide the future direction of the National FFA Organization at the 81st National FFA Convention. Attracting more than 50,000 members and guests, it’s one of the world’s largest annual student conventions.

Does media influence college voters?
by Kristy Tiesing, posted Nov. 4, 2008
As the presidential campaign is coming to a close, it is now crunch time for voters to make a decision. Throughout the election the media has jumped at every opportunity to be involved.

Humane society still open for animals
by Laura Skulman, posted Nov. 4, 2008
Pepper, the goat out back of the humane society, just cleared through impounds. His owner could no longer care for him because of hard times. Pepper is one of the lucky ones the staff has already found a new home for four counties away.

Bradford Farm practices sustainable farming
byRebecca Lewis, posted Nov. 3, 2008
Tim Reinbott, Bradford Research and Extension Center superintendent, educated the public with a presentation over sustainable farming on Oct. 14 at Bond Life Sciences Center.

'When Anchormen Attack'
Sexist, racist coverage in the media
by Kendra Foster, posted Oct. 31, 2008
As the 2008 elections end with a dive into mudslinging, Jennifer Pozner, the director of Women in the Media & News and a noted public speaker, wants the media to clean up their act, and not just through cleaner campaign ads.

Editorial: Factcheck.org is a resource for those who care about the real facts
by Kendra Foster, posted Oct. 27, 2008
The only good thing that comes from an election year is the drop in gas prices. I see that they have fallen to $2.59 at some of the local stations. I think, though, that I am more than willing to pay the extra cents per gallon if only the political campaigning would stop. It seems that every year the political campaigns engage in more mudslinging. Somewhere in the midst of all the filth flying through the airwaves, the truth gets lost. How are voters to determine which candidate to vote for if only vague versions of the truth are released?

A first time donor tells what it's like to give blood
by Thomas Merson, posted Oct. 23, 2008
As I walked into the east side of the Hearnes Center, it felt like a completely different building than usual. With Red Cross trucks and vans lined up in the parking lot and the continuous stream of people leaving and entering, it seemed more like a hospital. No, I thought, not a hospital; it’s the biggest blood drive in the nation. The MU Homecoming blood drive.

Raymond Semlitsch: saving salamanders and raising awareness
by Kyla Berendzen, posted Oct. 23, 2008
With registration approaching for the spring 2009 semester, many students, especially those in the School of Natural Resources, may be interested to know that professor Raymond Semlitsch will be co-teaching the popular MU herpetology course along with professor Howard Gerhardt.

Homecoming 2008 promises tradition
by Laura Skulman, posted Oct. 23, 2008
“Come on Home Tigers!” And the tradition begins. The MU Homecoming football game has certainly become a celebrated tradition that is highly anticipated for its competitive decorations, skits and other traditions used to prepare for the big game.

American Royalty: Katie Jarboe and Charlotte Jackson
by Rebecca Lewis, posted Oct. 20, 2008
For 109 years people have been flocking to Kansas City, Mo., for the American Royal. During the 2008 American Royal, 10 college students from around the Midwest gathered in Kansas City to promote the American Royal and agriculture through the Royal Ten program.

Through the eyes of a queen candidate
by Kristy Tiesing, posted Oct. 20, 2008
CAFNR Week is a much anticipated and exciting time for the students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. The week is filled with fun activities such as mud volleyball, scavenger hunts and barbecues.

There is only One Mizzou
by Jessica England, posted Oct. 20, 2008
There is only one way to get involved, at least that is the case for MU junior Tyler Sangermano, creator of the One Mizzou campaign. One Mizzou is a branch of the national campaign The One. The One national campaign has 2 million members from all 50 states, and MU’s campaign has about 25 active members.

MU Southwest Center researches cattle efficiency
by Beverley Kreul, posted Oct. 20, 2008
There are more than 4 million head of cattle in Missouri, according to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. Somehow, the 18,000 producers in the state have to find a way to feed these massive animals without bankrupting their operations. Feed efficiency, or how many pounds a bovine gains per pound of feed consumed, varies between animals. Professors Monty S. Kerley and Robert Kallenbach, along with other researchers at the MU Southwest Center in Mount Vernon, Mo., will be able to select for these efficiency traits and breed to create a more efficient herd.

Understanding your companion
by Courtney McLain, posted Oct. 20, 2008
The MU Sinclair School of Nursing and the MU College of Veterinary Medicine have collaborated to start the Human-Companion Animal Interaction course. This course astonishes its students every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Adams Conference Center in the vet school.

Tigers ready to take on No. 1 Texas
by Kathleen Sprouse, posted Oct. 17, 2008
The MU Tigers’ undefeated record was humbled Saturday at Faurot Field against Oklahoma State, a loss of 28-23. Fans are hoping the loss will be the catalyst the Tigers need to come back stronger and beat the No. 1 ranked Texas Longhorns (6-0) this Saturday, Oct. 18 in Austin, Texas.

Solid Cowboy team trips up Tigers
by Thomas Mershon, posted Oct. 15, 2008
With disappointment so thick it was difficult to think, Missouri fans tried to cope with the first loss of the season on Saturday for the Tiger football team. The 28-23 loss to the then ranked No. 17 Oklahoma State Cowboys was a crushing blow to the previously No. 3-ranked Tigers.

MU Homecoming Blood Drive in full swing
by Jessica England, posted Oct. 15, 2008
The annual MU Homecoming blood drive is being held Oct. 14 through 16 at the Hearnes Center. MU welcomes anyone willing and able to give blood. The blood drive continues from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16.

Intramurals let students keep their game
by Kristy Tiesing, posted Oct. 13, 2008
Not every high school sports star goes to college on a full ride ready for an exciting year of big games, screaming fans and the envy of all the “little” people. Although they are not playing, their love of the game continues. Now, what does one do when the game seems to have ended? This is your chance to discover one of the many wonderful benefits of college, intramurals.

Jeromie Allen to interview for National FFA Association office
by Beverley Kreul, posted Oct. 13, 2008
As a college student, many people are faced with the pressures of schoolwork, jobs and clubs. For Jeromie Allen, a junior agribusiness management major from Stewartsville, Mo., these are the easy parts of his day. Allen is the Missouri FFA Association’s national officer candidate for 2008.

South Farm Showcase
by Constance Berneking, posted Oct. 10, 2008
The third annual South Farm Showcase sponsored by CAFNR and the mid-Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station was held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.

CAFNR Career Fair promises job, internship opportunities
by Kyla Berendzen, posted Oct. 7, 2008
The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Services will hold its annual CAFNR Career Fair from 12 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the Reynolds Alumni Center. It will provide CAFNR students an opportunity to learn about career options and meet potential employers.

Chop, split, roll and toss: MU lumberjack team in mid-season practice
by Courtney Niendick, posted Oct. 7, 2008
In a nook of MU’s campus near Trowbridge that not many people know about is right where you can find the sound of chainsaws and axes. MU’s Forestry Club has a competitive lumberjack team that practices almost every day for around two or three hours. They are serious about what they do, and the tradition of this activity has been going on since the ’70s.

Tigers look to snap losing streak at Nebraska
by Thomas Mershon, posted Oct. 3, 2008
The No. 4 ranked Missouri Tiger are to face their first road test of the season Saturday against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

After 30 years of rejection at the hands of the Cornhuskers in the state of Nebraska, this Tiger squad looks to snap that record.

First night of CAFNR Week, last night for Twilight Festival
by Christopher Steward and Jenny Knernschield, posted Oct. 20, 2008
Photos by Jenny Knernschield
With CAFNR Week underway, organizations from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources participated in one of the last Twilight Festivals to be held in downtown Columbia. Thursday, Sept. 18, CAFNR fraternities, sororities and clubs set up displays in order to score points for their king and queen candidates. Twilight Festival was more than a competition for these CAFNR clubs; it was a chance to teach and have fun.

Road Rally sparks competition among CAFNR students
by Constance Berneking, posted Oct. 16, 2008
The MU CAFNR Week Road Rally, sponsored by Agriculture Systems Management, was held on Sunday, Sept. 21. Teams were given sets of clues to find various checkpoints across Columbia. At each checkpoint, the teams were told to complete tasks such as finishing math problems and finding random items. Ten teams were involved in the event including groups from Alpha Gamma Rho, GDI and Sigma Alpha.

CAFNR Week speaker addresses natural resource issues
by Amanda Davis, posted Oct. 7, 2008
MU students and faculty filled Monsanto Auditorium at 6 p.m., Sept. 24, to hear Bruce Vincent, manager of Vincent Logging, deliver a message about preserving natural resources. Vincent has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. He speaks in the U.S. and internationally about resource issues.

What's sizzling in September
by Beverley Kreul, posted Oct. 7, 2008
“Hot!” “Smoking!” “Tasty!” These are just some of the exclamations that were overheard at this year’s annual Great Grill-Off held Sept. 21 at Trowbridge Livestock Arena. Steaks were sizzling and appetites were hearty as MU students lined up to get a taste of the action.

Gettin' dirty at CAFNR Week mud volleyball
by Kyla Berendzen, posted Oct. 7. 2008
Mud, competition and fun sloshed beyond the sidelines at CAFNR Week’s mud volleyball tournament, which began at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at Bradford Research Center.

Skit Night delivers a night a laughter
by Alex Roach, posted Oct. 7, 2008
“It’s worth my 7 dollars already,” said MU student Arlen Jackson in the midst of several bursts of laughter after 15 minutes into the show.

Clubs hold barbecue to raise money for scholarships
by Rebecca Lewis, posted Oct. 2, 2008
Burgers were flying off the grill as Ag Econ Club, BBQ Team, Fermentation Club and Food Science Association hosted a barbecue dinner in conjunction with the CAFNR Week mud volleyball tournament.

Fun and Games
by Courtney McLain, posted Oct. 2, 2008
The Independent Aggies, or GDI, sponsored a washers tournament in conjunction with CAFNR Week at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Trowbridge Livestock Pavilion.

Thirty-four teams listened to country music and participated in the event that lasted for roughly four hours. The teams consisted of members from various organizations in CAFNR that gathered together and competed for the championship.

Lil' Ag Expo exposes CAFNR
by Thomas Mershon, posted Oct. 2, 2008
Lil’ Ag Expo exposes CAFNR At 11 a.m., Sept. 22, the smell of hamburgers and the sounds of curious questions and informative answers filled the air. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources puts on the Lil’ Ag Expo each year as part of CAFNR week, a week of events and activities designed to connect and promote the CAFNR.

Pesticide effects still undetermined
by Kristina Tiesing, posted Sept. 29, 2008
The worldwide consumption of pesticides has reached 2.6 million metric tons; 85 percent is being used in agriculture according to the Science Direct Web site. With the possible health risks posed to the farmer, environment and surrounding community members, this number may be cause for concern. The argument can be made that the chemicals used are harsh and dangerous. However, it can also be said that they can be utilized in a safe and efficient manner.

Daring to dream
by Jenjira Knernschield, posted Sept. 29, 2008
In theme with the MU School of Journalism’s Centennial & dedication of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, the Entrepreneurship Club invited back alumna Rieva Lesonsky to discuss modern business and the people behind it. The journalism graduate shared her experience and expertise Thursday, Sept. 11, about the constantly evolving environment of entrepreneurship.

Sharing a common bond
by Courtney McLain, posted Sept. 29, 2008
The evolution of agricultural journalism was the main conversation topic when more than 60 MU agricultural journalism alumni gathered on Thursday, Sept. 11, in the Life Sciences Building for the Agricultural Journalism Alumni Reunion.

The pros of being a vegetarian
by Laura Skulman, posted Sept. 29, 2008
Vegetarian can mean different things. In this article, I am using the term to describe my dietary practice, which is avoiding meat, eggs and dairy products. The different types include:
• Semi-vegetarian – eat only small amounts of animal flesh.
• Lacto-ovo-vegetarian – eat no animal flesh, but sometimes eats eggs and dairy products.
• Vegan – eat no animal flesh, eggs or dairy products.

MU student robbed on campus
by Kendra Foster, posted Sept. 29, 2008
When someone says the word robbery, pictures of evil-doing villains with guns may flash through the mind. Suddenly, everyone may seem to be watching his or her back after a robbery actually occurs. The fact is that one did. A robbery took place just after midnight on Sept. 17, at MU.

MU freshmen make their marks on campus
by Jessica England, posted Sept. 29, 2008
The MU freshman class size has been increasing by one or two hundred students each year for the past several years. But this year’s freshman class record broke the enrollment record by almost 800. The first day of classes, there were 5,812 students enrolled as freshmen, making the overall school total 29,761, according to an article published in the Maneater, an MU student newspaper.

Is the Study Abroad Program the right fit?
by Courtney Niendick, posted Sept. 29, 2008
The hall between the agriculture building and the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Center was lined with displays of different countries and filled with the lingering scent of freshly popped popcorn. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Study Abroad program was having its annual fair. Students who have participated in the program were on hand to give more information.

MU's energy conservation: "world class" and still getting greener
by Kyla Berendzen, posted Sept. 29, 2008
In 2006, MU consumed 232 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, used 2.7 billion pounds of steam, generated 404,932 tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, consumed 772 million gallons of water and produced 7,293 tons of trash.

MU agricultural journalism major covers Beijing 2008 Olympic games
by Amanda Davis, posted Sept. 29, 2008
Beautiful scenery, colorful flowers and an artistic array of Olympic signs were some of the sights Julia Shuck, a junior agricultural journalism major from Perry, Mo., could see out the windows of her bus on the two-hour ride to her hotel in Beijing.

MU Police Force Always Available for Students
by Kendra Foster, posted Sept., 26, 2008
Whether by bicycle, on foot or in a car, the MU Police Department is here to help students have an enjoyable experience at MU. The influx of new students this year does not alarm these trained professionals; they are prepared.

Sigma Sigma Sigma comes to Mizzou
by Constance Berneking, posted Sept., 19, 2008
Multiple recruitment team members stood surveying their watches until the time came. Five, four, three, two, one… sounds of air horns rang out simultaneously at every corner of Greek town. The 2008 Pan-Hellenic Association Formal Recruitment Week had officially begun. But this year, the 1,300 potential members visited a new addition to the Greek community—Sigma Sigma Sigma.

Granola bars add focus one bite at a time
by Kendra Foster, posted Sept., 19, 2008
A newly available snack the size of a Motorola Razor claims to help improve one’s focus and boost one’s energy and immunity. Herbal Oats granola bars are now sold at Café Fresco in Brady Commons. The interesting part, however, is that this company is owned and operated by two MU students.

CAFNR Week activities designed to attract student participation
by Rebecca Lewis, posted Sept. 17, 2008
The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will kick off CAFNR Week on Sept. 18 with a full slate of events. The theme of CAFNR Week is “Connecting CAFNR while strengthening relationships and promoting a week of growth and excellence.”

South Farm Showcase features family friendly activities
by Constance Berneking, posted Sept. 17, 2008
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, CAFNR and the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station invite residents in the Columbia area to the third annual South Farm Showcase at MU’s South Farm on the southeast side of Columbia. This event is open and free to the public.

Corner Post Editorial: Transfer student tips
by Rebecca Lewis, posted Sept. 11, 2008
Are you getting that freshman feeling all over again? Are you in a new place trying to juggle classes and social activities? If you are feeling overwhelmed, I can relate fully. This year I transferred to MU from a small junior college and am trying my hardest to survive. But have no fear, there are many ways that we can overcome our obstacles and succeed.

Alumni to return as part of Journalism School Centennial
by Bev Kreul, posted Sept. 5, 2008
MU has provided opportunities for generations of students who have walked its grounds. This year, many scholars will retrace the steps they took when they were attending classes. The MU School of Journalism will be celebrating its centennial this month. In conjunction with the 100th anniversary, the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will host the Agricultural Journalism Alumni Reception at 6 p.m., Sept. 11, in the Life Science Center.

Arch Rivalry game excites fans
by Thomas Mershon, posted Sept. 5, 2008
The doors to the Edwards Jones Dome in St. Louis open and a virtual wall of sound hits with such power it makes your head spin. The intensity in the building is so thick one can almost taste it. The glares that black-and-gold-wearing fans exchange with those wearing blue and orange are priceless each time. This is the Arch Rivalry Game.