THE FUTURE IS NOW AT CAFNR

BY JODIE JACKSON JR

Autonomous tractors and drones. Farm machinery connected to and guided by satellites. Pigs engineered to provide heart valves and possibly other organs for humans. Regenerative agriculture practices that sustain, rather than deplete, soil nutrients. Seeds that produce pest- or even drought-resistant crops.

Sounds like science ction.

But it’s happening because of research and degree programs through the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, or CAFNR. e future is now. But is there a place for the pastoral setting of a farmhouse, barn, windmill, and silo standing tall on the landscape?

“Although the farmscape may look similar with crops, animals, silos, and barns, there is a technological revolution that is taking place that will be noticeable soon — if you haven’t noticed already,” says Shibu Jose, associate dean for research at CAFNR and director of the MO Agricultural Experiment Station.

Jose has had a rst-hand, lifetime view of the technology and agriculture courtship. He’s con dent that the tech aspect of agriculture will increase exponentially. He’s just as certain that, no matter what machines can master, there will always be the need for brawn — as well as brains — on the farm.

“Manual labor is still a big part of agriculture,” he says, adding that he grew up on a small farm in India where “100 percent of everything was done by human labor.”

“I learned to drive a tractor and operate a combine after moving to the U.S., and that was 31 years ago,” Jose says, referring to how he has witnessed the digital revolution in agriculture.

“You may control the planter and sprayer from your cell phone in a few years, but the fundamentals of growing crops or raising livestock will remain the same,” he explains. “It’s the passion and the love of land and the commitment to feeding the world that keep farmers in business.” e business of farming and agriculture has also expanded — for some time now — from barns and pastures to laboratories and computer software where research is carried out and data is collected. CAFNR is at the forefront of that picture.

“ e high-tech nature of agriculture is evident everywhere, even in the names of our majors and divisions,” says Bryan Garton, senior associate dean and director of academic programs at CAFNR. “Adding a certi cate in precision agriculture technology, for example, can add that technology-focused knowledge whether you plan to focus on the livestock or the crop side of production agriculture.” e majority of CAFNR’s 2022 graduates self-reported that they are working in the agriculture and natural resources industry, Garton says. Most of their job functions are related to sales or management.

Garton notes that CAFNR has experienced a 25.5 percent increase over the past ve years (2017 to 2022) in the number of students pursuing degrees focused on the production of food and ber, food processing, natural resources, and the environment.

Academics and agriculture are especially collaborative and cross-disciplinary at CAFNR. e college’s majors allow for exibility and crossover learning. at’s true for an agriculture major, he adds. An ag degree from CAFNR means the student may customize the program by choosing courses from three CAFNR disciplines, minors, or certi cates.

“Our degrees today can not only be specialized, but also broad,” Garton says. “It’s a great combination that allows our students to have such unique paths in their careers.”

CAFNR degree programs are focused on ve areas:

Environment

• Environmental sciences

• Natural resource science and management

Food Systems

• Agriculture

• Agricultural systems technology

• Animal sciences

• Plant sciences

People

• Agricultural education

• Parks, recreation, and sport

Economies

• Agribusiness management

• Hospitality management

• Personal nancial planning

Health

• Biochemistry

• Food science and nutrition

• Nutrition and exercise physiology e global and statewide reach is a central focus for CAFNR’s commitment to its land-grant mission — teaching research and extension, says Christopher Daubert, vice chancellor and CAFNR dean.

CAFNR features a global network of alumni, employers, faculty, sta , students, and friends. e college’s students are encouraged to go beyond the classroom to have one or more “signature experiences” by studying abroad, service learning, and experiential learning. Undergraduate research internships o er real-world experience (including a student-run ower shop, ice cream shop, and meat market) and a variety of clubs and organizations.

CAFNR also has one of the largest scholarship programs on the MU campus, awarding more than $1.5 million each year.

“We take the university and ‘extend’ it out,” Daubert explains. “Not just in our classrooms and laboratories — it’s taking our message, our research ndings, our teachings, and extending it out to every Missourian.” e new Boone County Nature School south of Columbia will also have a CAFNR component. e school, which is being implemented in phases as fundraising continues, is a partnership among Columbia Public Schools, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the city of Columbia, and the other school districts in the county. CAFNR is partnering to measure educational results from the curriculum. Local health o cials will also be involved to implement and measure mental and physical health outcomes.

Garton points out that CAFNR encompasses a broad array of programs centered around “cultivating a healthy world.”

“ is means a healthy environment, healthy food systems, healthy people, plants and animals, healthy economies, and healthy communities,” he explains.

And when it comes to healthy economies, Jose says that local production and processing of crops and meat can alleviate some of agriculture’s challenges and help the local economy.

“It’s a true statement that our farmers feed the world,” Jose adds. “We take food security for granted, but farming must be pro table for us to remain food secure.” He notes a litany of challenges, too, including uncertainties from extreme weather events, high input costs, and supply-chain disruptions.

But can smart tech and smart farms outsmart Mother Nature? Robert Kallenbach, associate dean of extension for CAFNR and senior program director for MU Extension, says the college is up for the challenge. After all, one-third of Missouri’s economy is based on or connected to agriculture.

“As the planet warms up — as we have more big weather — we’re going to see tech be an even bigger part of how food is produced,” Kallenbach explains. “Ag is really at the forefront of tech right now. Food is at the forefront of tech.”

He reiterates that CAFNR is all about agriculture and food systems, but also business and community development, nutrition, and health. As the college helps create the future by training the next workforce to implement technology, there will be new opportunities for agriculture. He points to food systems in urban agriculture, where technology might be able to curtail or eliminate