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MU to restructure research farms, facilities

The University of Missouri will be restructuring the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station over the next nine months including the university’s research farms.

MU says the restructuring will make MOAES more efficient, effective, and relevant while saving more than $800,000. The University says the change will also better align the statewide network of agricultural research centers with the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and MU Extension’s priorities.

A report recommending changes to the Agriculture Experiment Station suggests decreasing university staff members for work that can be hired out to do, like carpentry jobs, to save cost.

The restructuring will include realigning the centers and farms into four research hubs operated by CAFNR, create a statewide AES advisory committee, consolidate fiscal, human resources and field operations, and develop a communications plan to reach younger farmers and ranchers starting out in agriculture.

Missouri Farm Bureau is a long-time partner to the university’s research. Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins says resources will be targeted to research and outreach priorities under the restructuring plan, providing ‘better access to cutting-edge science with practical applications’.