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Student Development Board

The mission of the Student Development Board is to serve as the student arm of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources development program. The Student Development Board is comprised of exceptional students from various academic divisions in the College.

Members assist with the cultivation and stewardship of donors through phone calls, personal visits and attending events. The efforts of this group advance the mission of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Taylor Bauman

Taylor Bauman is a junior animal sciences major with a minor in business. Taylor grew up on a diversified farm outside of Rosendale, Mo. Taylor is also active in Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority. After college Taylor plans on becoming a sales representative for an animal pharmaceutical research and development corporation.

"As a transfer student coming to Mizzou, I didn't know a lot of people and was hesitant to get involved in CAFNR without knowing someone. I decided to join Sigma Alpha and gain the friendships of several other girls who share the same passion for agriculture as I do. All of my sisters strongly encouraged participating in mud volleyball for CAFNR week so I did, and it was a blast! I had so much fun and realized how much I was going to enjoy CAFNR in the future."

Theresa Bohnert

Theresa Bohnert is a senior animal sciences major. Theresa grew up on a small crop farm on the edge of Independence, Mo., close to Kansas City. She is involved in CAFNR STUCO and Pre-Vet Club. She volunteers at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center and works in a swine lab for the university. After graduation, Theresa plans to attend graduate school at Mizzou and study swine genetics and production.

"Over the summer I worked for CAFNR with the Summer Welcome program. Summer Welcome is an introduction to college life for future freshmen, and as a Peer Counselor, I was in charge of leading orientation to the College. I met so many wonderful freshmen and families, and got to personally know the adviser chairs and department heads for CAFNR. The job not only honed my networking skills, it also introduced me to people I can still recognize and greet on campus. I wouldn't trade that experience for the world!"

Annette Bruch

Annette Bruch is a senior agricultural business major with a minor in international agriculture. She was born and raised in Bowling Green, Mo., on a small family farm. Throughout her college career Annette has been active in Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority and CAFNR Week Steering Committee as well as serving as a National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Ambassador.

"As a CAFNR student, I was encouraged to engage in study abroad opportunities within my time at Mizzou. After my freshman year I traveled to Beauvais, France with a group of other CAFNR students. This experience opened my eyes to foreign culture and developmental differences in global agriculture. This short-lived excursion left me wanting more and inspired me to spend a semester abroad in the UK at the University of Reading. Since my return to Mizzou I have promoted Study Abroad opportunities to others eager to expand their global understanding in a non-traditional learning environment."

Rebecca (Becca) Bunton

Rebecca Bunton is a sophomore agribusiness management major. She was raised on a small family farm just outside Liberal, Mo. Her family is primarily involved in row crop production, with a small herd of registered Angus cattle on the side.

Aside from CAFNR Student Development Board, Becca is proud to serve as the 2007-2008 State FFA Association Vice President from Area 9. She is involved on campus with CAFNR Student Council, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Ag Econ Club. After graduating from MU, Becca plans to work in the agricultural sales industry.

"Growing up in the small town of Liberal, Mo., population 750, walking onto the MU campus for the first time was overwhelming! I remember thinking to myself, how am I ever going to fit in here? I don't know anybody, I won't know where my classes are going to be, and the classes are going to be huge! I ended up living in the Agricultural FIG, where to my surprise I met people I had class with every day! This really wasn't so bad after all; I even got to know my professors, who weren't nearly as big and bad as I had thought. After a week or so I figured out that being in CAFNR was like being in a big family. If you ever need help or just a friend to stand by you, both students and faculty are there willing to help!

Kim Cottrell

Kim Cottrell is a senior in the plant sciences program and studying landscape horticulture. Kim grew up in Monticello, which is a small, farming community in northeast Missouri. Kim is active in CAFNR Student Council, MU Horticulture Club, and is the student manager of MU's student-operated floral shop—Tiger Garden. After graduation Kim plans to work as a manager in the horticulture industry.

"What I enjoy most about the CAFNR is the welcoming feeling that is present everywhere. I started my freshman year in another college on campus and had a hard time fitting in and feeling important. One week after transferring to CAFNR I was walking down a long, lonely hallway of the Ag Building and my new adviser walked by me and called me by name! I was shocked and instantly knew CAFNR was a place I would be able to call home. Now, two years later, when I walk down those same halls it is hard to make it from one end to the other without someone stopping me to say hi. Some of the faculty and staff even go as far as to have nicknames for me! All of those little things make me feel important and that is one of great qualities of CAFNR."

Marissa Jo Daniel

Marissa Jo Daniel is a senior working towards a dual major in forestry and fisheries and wildlife biology. Marissa Jo grew up in Bethany, Mo., on a diversified farm. Marissa Jo is active in SNR Student Ambassadors, Mizzou Forestry Club, Mizzou Archery, Jazz Society, and F.A.S.S. After college Marissa Jo plans on pursuing a career in the US Forest Service as a Wildland Firefighter/Forester.

"The beginning of my freshman year I was sitting in my dorm room studying for Botany when a half a dozen people knocked and then came busting into my room. They looked at me and said that I had to come to conclave practice with them. I tried to explain that I was in the jazz band and that I didn't have time but they would not take no for an answer so I went down to the practice field with them. When I got there they handed me an axe and pointed to a piece of wood and said, "Have at it!" Although it took me a long time to chop through the cant, I enjoyed the hard work as well as the atmosphere and the people I began associating with. If it hadn't been for the brazen yet carefree personalities of the Forestry Club seniors, I may have never got involved in any SNR activities."

Cheryl Ficken

Cheryl Ficken is a junior agricultural education major with a minor in agricultural economics. Cheryl grew up on a diversified farm outside of Green Ridge, Mo. She is active in Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, Ag Ed Society, Dickinson Scholars Program, and treasurer of CAFNR Student Council. Cheryl also works in the CAFNR Office of Advancement and Communications. After college Cheryl plans on becoming a high school agricultural instructor.

"My freshman year, I was hesitant to participate in CAFNR Week, especially skit night. When a couple upperclassmen asked me to be in a skit, I kindly tried to decline. They asked me to give it a shot, and consequently I accepted a small part. At skit night I was shaking with nerves but, to my surprise, once I hit the stage I was only focused on making people laugh. I actually loved breaking out of my shell and now skit night is my favorite activity in CAFNR Week."

Charlotte Jackson

Charlotte Jackson is a sophomore agricultural education leadership option major. Charlotte is from New Cambria, Mo. She grew up on a diversified dairy farm.

Charlotte is very active in CAFNR where she serves as the President of Mizzou Collegiate 4-H, Program Development Chair in the Agricultural Education Society, and a member of Mizzou Collegiate Cattlewomen. This summer Charlotte has an internship with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. After college, Charlotte would like to possibly continue work with the Missouri Department of Agriculture or a similar entity.

"CAFNR is the land of opportunity. I remember my first ever Introduction to Agricultural Education class. As students we were all so different, but we were all very alike in our love for agriculture. That is what is great about CAFNR, some of the people I met in that class are my best friends now, and I have that very first class to thank for them."

Sarah Jackson

Sarah Jackson is a senior in agricultural journalism, pursuing a minor in animal sciences and graduating in December. She grew up on a dairy farm in New Cambria, Mo., and also showed beef cattle through 4-H and FFA.

On campus, Sarah is active in Mizzou Collegiate 4-H, Mizzou Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Mizzou Collegiate Cattlewomen, and the Missouri Cattle Women's Association. After graduation, Sarah hopes to write for a national agriculture publication while raising kids and cows on a farm or ranch.

"One of the best experiences of my life was studying abroad in New Zealand. Even though the trip was only two and a half weeks, it really opened my eyes to how interdependent countries are in the global agriculture system. Viewing their agriculture industry and how different it is from here in the U.S. showed me that each nation has its own strengths, such as New Zealand's outstanding sheep and wine industries. Experiencing a new culture was very interesting, from eating beets on hamburgers to watching Maori tribal dancing. Finally, I got to do things on the trip that I normally would never have gotten the chance to do, like whitewater rafting and whale watching. I still talk about some of the awesome experiences I had on that trip! It was a beautiful country, and I encourage everyone to definitely study abroad!"

Alyce Johnson

Alyce Johnson is a senior fisheries and wildlife major. She grew up in Kansas City, Mo. and currently lives in Lee's Summit, Mo. She is involved in the National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences and serves as the chapter historian.

She also works as a tutor for student athletes and a student research in Lori Eggert's lab in the Department of Biological Sciences. After college, Alyce plans to continue her education in graduate school, and work as a researcher on reproductive physiology with an emphasis in endocrinology.

"My favorite CAFNR memory involves all the hands-on experience I got in my classes. Coming from the city, I did not get much up close interaction with livestock. So, being able to milk a cow in my Animal Science 1065 class, and palpate cattle every Friday in reproductive management class was really fun."

Clint Klipfel

Clint Klipfel is a junior biochemistry major from Portageville, Mo. Portageville is a small, agriculture based community in the bootheel. Clint's other activities include working as the assistant manager of Tiger Garden and being involved in FarmHouse Fraternity, CAFNR Student Ambassadors, and Biochemistry Club. After college, Clint plans on attending medical school and hopes to one day become a pediatrician.

"The College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources is like a second family to me. Going from a small, country town to the widely diverse campus of Mizzou worried me a little before the start of my freshman year. To my surprise, I was greeted by many friendly faces of CAFNR faculty and staff wanting me to feel welcome. It really made Mizzou feel like home and eased my anxiety about fitting in. CAFNR truly provides a family atmosphere and the closeness of it is one-of -a-kind."

Miranda Leppin

Miranda Leppin is a senior agricultural education major with a minor in agricultural economics. Miranda grew up in Milan, Mo. In addition to Student Development Board, Miranda is active in Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, National FFA and is the President of the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board (AASB). Upon graduating, Miranda plans to either teach agriculture at the secondary level or pursue a career in instructional design.

"During my freshman year of college, I assumed that I would be lost in the crowd at Mizzou. That was before I was introduced to what I like to call the "CAFNR Family". CAFNR is unique from any other college on campus. I began to build meaningful relationships with CAFNR faculty, alumni and students. My CAFNR family gave me the confidence to become involved in the college, and also to spread my involvement into campus wide programs as well."

Mark Peper

Mark Peper is a senior forestry major. Mark grew up outside of Troy, Mo. He is active in SNR Student Ambassador, SNR and CAFNR Student Council, Society of American Foresters, Forestry Club and FASS. After college he plans to work in the field of natural resources.

"The summer of 2007, I spent six weeks in the forests around Lake Wappapello at University Forest for forestry camp. I spent quality time with my friends while learning hands on forestry techniques and applications as well getting to know the forestry professors. I got to see industries of forestry and the beauty of the Ozarks that most people do not get to see. Now I will never forget the summer 2007 and plus I will always have stories to tell."

Alex Peterson

Alex Peterson is a senior agricultural economics major. Alex grew up on a family dairy farm near Galt, Mo. Alex is also active in Agricultural Economics Club and Collegiate Farm Bureau. After college, Alex intends to make a positive impact on Missouri's agricultural industry.

"My time at Mizzou has opened doors to many new experiences, and one particularly fun one was my study abroad trip. Over the 2007-2008 winter break I was able to spend about a month in New Zealand. Not only did I learn a lot about New Zealand and global agriculture, but I learned a lot about myself. It was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life!"

Jessica Toombs

Jessica Toombs is a junior agricultural education major who plans to earn her teacher's certification. Originally from Gower, Mo., Jessica was raised on her family's beef and forage farm. She enjoys traveling, reading, and trap shooting. Jessica is active in many organizations on campus, including Agricultural Education Society, Study Abroad Ambassadors, and Student Development Board.

"I had wanted to travel overseas for a long time but never had the opportunity to. So when I learned about the Study Abroad program with the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, I knew I wanted to take advantage of the program. I took my first study abroad trip in the summer of 2007. I was able to travel to Ireland and spend a month traveling along the coast. We studied Irish history, culture, and agriculture. This trip opened my eyes to different cultures and I gained a better understanding of how the world works. I plan to continue to study abroad by studying in Thailand during the winter break of 2008. I am very excited to be able to experience Eastern culture first hand. The CAFNR Study Abroad program has given me my most memorable college experiences."

Rebecca Williams

Rebecca Williams graduated from CAFNR in 2008 double majoring in agribusiness management and business marketing. Rebecca grew up in central Missouri on a livestock farm. Rebecca is also involved in Ag Econ Club, Robert J. Trulaske Scholars, and Dickinson Scholars Program. Rebecca is now working for Monsanto as a field sales trainee in central Illinois.

"Through CAFNR I was able to study abroad last year for a semester in Europe, just outside of London. It was an invaluable experience in which I learned about their culture, made friends around the world, and had the opportunity to learn the rich history. After school I stayed an extra month to travel across Europe. It was a once in a lifetime experience."