Mizzou Agricultural Education and Leadership

In our CAFNR Alumni Spotlight, we’re highlighting new alumni board member, Chad Roberts, M.S. Agricultural Leadership, Communication and Education '18; Executive Vice President - Chief Marketplace Officer at FCS Financial, a Farm Credit Cooperative.

Q: What makes you ?
A: The collective commitment of the College, its faculty, and its alumni to serve and support students, fellow alumni, and Missouri agriculture.

Q: Why did you want to serve on the CAFNR Alumni Board?
A: I want to give back to the College and to those who have given so much to me and our two daughters, both CAFNR graduates, while supporting the future of Missouri agriculture.

Q: What’s your favorite way to connect with other CAFNR alumni?
A: CAFNR Unlimited is the best event of the year, hands down!

Thank you, Chad, for your support of CAFNR and our students!

Mizzou Agricultural Education and Leadership

Check out this great article about our student Gentrie Davis in Morning Ag Clips!

Growing Leadership Through Entrepreneurship SALINE CO., Mo. — Agriculture has never simply been an industry for Gentrie Davis. It is a way of life rooted in family, hard work...

We recently hosted CASE Agricultural Business Foundations (ABF) Training, where 26 educators, including 11 pre-service teachers, gained hands-on experience teaching agricultural business concepts like marketing, finance, record keeping, and entrepreneurship.

Thank you to Missouri Farm Bureau for sponsoring participant books and to Jennifer Poindexter for sharing leadership opportunities available for youth and adults through MO Farm Bureau.

Class of 2026 Spotlight: Sierra Beaver

Sierra Beaver, a 2026 graduate of our program with an emphasis in teacher certification, grew up on a farm and always had a love for the agricultural industry. Joining FFA in high school inspired her to become an ag teacher, and during her time at Mizzou she explored many parts of the ag industry. From working as a park ranger with the US Army Corps of Engineers to working at the Mizzou Meat Market, Sierra is ready to show high school students all the opportunities agriculture has to offer. This fall, she will start as the agriculture teacher at Mark Twain High School in Center, Missouri.

Congratulations, Sierra!

Class of 2026 Spotlight: Hanna Wilson

As a transfer student, Hanna Wilson quickly found a sense of belonging and shared passion in Mizzou AEL. Now a graduate of our program with an emphasis in teacher certification, Hanna will pursue her dream of teaching agriculture and family and consumer sciences at Southern Boone Middle School.

"During high school, I was unsure about my future career path, but I knew I had a passion for both agriculture and working with students," Hanna said. "My uncertainty changed when I had Mr. Kilfoil as my agriculture teacher. His passion and dedication inspired me to pursue a career in agricultural education. Since then, I’ve been committed to becoming a teacher who is approachable, knowledgeable, and able to positively impact students in the same way he influenced me."

Congratulations, Hanna!

Class of 2026 Spotlight: Sarah Riggins

From the first moment Sarah Riggins stepped on campus, she knew Mizzou, CAFNR, and AEL would be her home for the next four years. Now a graduate of our program with an emphasis in teacher certification, Sarah plans to work with youth in the ag industry and grow the next generation of ag leaders.

"Not only did the Ag Ed degree provide me with the foundational knowledge to excel when working with youth in ag, but it also gave me a vast network of individuals who all have a deep passion for the agricultural industry," Sarah said. "The faculty and staff who work in CAFNR and AEL are all willing to help prepare and guide each student to success. While pursuing my degree, I was challenged and grew in ways I could have never imagined, which has set me up for success in both my professional and personal lives."

Congratulations, Sarah!

Class of 2026 Spotlight: Abby Shaffer

Abby graduated last week with a degree in Agricultural Education and Leadership with a communications emphasis. During her time in our program, Abby worked on undergraduate research with Dr. Tummons, studied abroad in Italy, and completed multiple summer internships.

This summer, Abby will serve as the Missouri Soybeans policy intern, and will return to our program in the fall as a graduate student!

Congratulations, Abby!

Spend your summer exploring agricultural leadership, communications, and education at Mizzou!

Join us for two exciting academies:
Missouri Teach Agricultural Education Academy – July 29
Exploring Ag Communications & Leadership Opportunities – August 5
Build skills, connect with experts, and discover your path in agriculture!

Apply now to secure your spot: https://cafnr.missouri.edu/academics/summer-academies/

I spy lots of AEL students teaching elementary Agricultural Education this summer. Thanks to Missouri Farmers Care for providing this internship experience!