The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources plans to dive deeper into regenerative agriculture. CAFNR, as it’s known, announced the formation of the new Center for Regenerative Agriculture Monday.

While there is no single definition for regenerative agriculture, some key elements of the practice include increasing soil health and biodiversity, conservation practices, and contributing to overall sustainability and profitability. An initial startup grant to help the center get established and help hire a program manager comes from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Complimentary funding on cover crops and soil health that supports work related to the center comes from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

Rob Myers, an adjunct associate professor in the Division of Plant Sciences, will serve as the center's faculty director. Myers is a former National Program Leader for Sustainable Agriculture with the Department of Agriculture.

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