I enjoyed attending the annual field day events at MU’s T.E. “Jake” Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center (FD-REEC). Together with community members and officials from across Missouri, we celebrated the center’s incredible impact on producers in the Bootheel, throughout the state and beyond. 

Over two days, we also showed our appreciation for the center’s strong legislative support. Thanks to Missouri’s elected leaders, we’re making critical updates to the facility, including breaking ground on the Roy Blunt Soil Testing and Research Lab and beginning an important renovation to our cotton lab, which will provide improved resources to serve Missouri producers. We also presented Gov. Mike Parson with a commemorative FD-REEC shovel in acknowledgement of his great support for the center throughout his time as governor. 

On Friday, Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins helped honor local families celebrating their Century Farm designations, and we publicly expressed our gratitude to those who support Fisher Delta’s teaching, research and outreach through the Club of 1000. 

I want to thank the many leaders in attendance, including U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Mo. Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, Mo. Sen. Jason Bean and Mo. Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn. I’m also grateful for UM Board Chair Robin Wenneker, Vice Chair Todd Graves, Curator Keith Holloway, Curator Lyda Krewson, Curator Robert Fry as well as CAFNR Dean & Vice Chancellor Chris Daubert, Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement Chad Higgins, FD-REEC Advisory Board Chair Trent Haggard, FD-REEC Director Aaron Brandt and all who helped organize another successful field day. 

As Missouri’s land-grant university, we’re proud to play our part in strengthening producers all over the state. I’m excited to see what breakthroughs our Extension researchers will make in the years ahead. 

— Mun