About Us

Our Mission

The world-class researchers in the Division of Plant Science & Technology continue to excel in cutting-edge research. One of the main goals of the research and scholarly activity in the Division is to identify solutions to real-life problems that threaten the agronomic productivity in Missouri, the U.S., and the world.

The Division of Plant Sciences was originally formed on August 1, 2005, through the consolidation of the former departments of Agronomy, Entomology, Horticulture and Plant Microbiology and Pathology. Programs formerly housed in those departments now reside in the division.

In 2021, the Agricultural Systems Technology degree program, faculty and agricultural engineering Extension faculty joined the Division of Plant Sciences, creating the restructured Division of Plant Science and Technology.

The Division of Plant Science and Technology provides leadership for plant, insect and microbe-based research, education and Extension programs in the College.

The division is the sole academic program in the state to address issues related to plant production, plant protection and plant biology from the laboratory to the field. We intend to be at the national and international forefront of disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, extension and education in applied and basic aspects of plant sciences.

Division faculty contribute to advances in conventional, sustainable and alternative production systems, plant biology, genetics and breeding, plant protection and pest management, plant-insect/pathogen interactions, plant-soil relationships and environmental quality.

Value Statement

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ (CAFNR) core values – respect, responsibility, caring, discovery and excellence – embrace the “Statement of Values” established by the University of Missouri-Columbia.
In that context, we seek to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, staff and students who are:

  • Leaders
  • Committed to blending service with scholarship
  • Good colleagues who will collaborate with others from diverse disciplines and backgrounds
  • Flexible, adaptable and innovative in an era of rapid change

Diversity Statement

CAFNR aspires to build a community where diversity is embraced through educational and program excellence that we feel leads to:

  • Respect for others.
  • Awareness of choices.
  • Variety of experiences.
  • Understanding of issues.
  • A community where we all feel safe to cross boundaries.

Statement of Nondiscrimination

CAFNR follows the University’s policy of nondiscrimination.
The University of Missouri does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or status as a protected veteran.