The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased to announce the eight Research Ambassadors that were selected for the 2024-2025 academic year: 

• Elliot Braun, Michigan State University 

• Jodi Callwood, Iowa State University 

• Sarah Fitzsimmons, University of Missouri at Columbia 

• Kathryn Koirtyohann, Florida State University 

• Sarah Lipps, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

• Morgan Molsbee, Texas A & M University 

• Karlene Negus, Iowa State University 

• Diana Ruggiero, Oregon State University  

Mizzou researchers are demonstrating that purple corn has surprising health benefits. Would you try it?

Sherry and Nancy collaborate with Dr. Pavel Somavat in MU's Food Science Department to evaluate heirloom corn varieties for milling properties, anthocyanin (pigments) content, and other phytochemicals. 

In addition, we are converting Midwest-adapted parent lines to pigmented versions in order to create high yielding pigmented hybrids that have the desired milling and pigmentation characteristics. 

Melissa Draves is a third-year Ph. D. student in the Division of Plant Science and Technology with a focus in plant breeding, genetics and genomics. Her research is focused on characterizing maize (corn) heirlooms from the United States. 

Sherry, Susan, and Nancy helped contribute to an exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Danny Davis is working to answer that question. She's one of the many students presenting at Show Me Research Week. 

University of Missouri student researcher Danny Davis is crossbreeding heirloom varieties of corn to create healthier, tastier corn tortillas and whiskey. 

 Distillers Talk #112 - Zach Traylor

 Zach Traylor joins Alan Bishop and Christi Atkinson to discuss his research work focused on cultivating corn varieties tailor-made for whiskey production.

“The Potential to Breed a Low-Protein Maize for Protein-Restricted Diets” with Matthew Woore, Dr. Sherry Flint-Garcia, and Dr. Jim Holland 

Phenylketonuria is a metabolic disorder which results in a need for a strict low-protein diet. This restricts the intake of corn and many corn-based foods. This episode, Smitty, Sherry, and Jim discuss their work developing a low-protein corn variety so that individuals with Phenylketunoria can enjoy more corn-based foods.

Planting the seeds of discovery: University of Missouri undergrad's quest for healthier food choices

Inspired by MU’s commitment to fostering discovery and innovation, Hawaa Fayed’s research delves into the intriguing world of asparagine metabolism in maize kernels. 

Our food system isn't ready for the climate crisis

We used to eat so many different varieties of corn

Maize or corn is now grown in greater volume than any crop in history, and is still the staple food for about 1.2 billion people in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa.

Sherry Flint-Garcia Named Alumnus of the Year by CAFNR Alumni Association

Sherry Flint-Garcia (PhD Genetics ’01), lead scientist, USDA-Agricultural Research Service Plant Genetics Unit, has received the CAFNR Alumni Association’s Alumnus of Year honor for 2022. 

This award recognizes significant contributions or accomplishments by an individual whose efforts and support have added to the excellence of the University of Missouri.

Top-Shelf Whiskey Needs Top-Shelf Corn

Missouri Distiller Seeks to Improve Heirloom Corn for Small-Batch Whiskey

While zipping down Interstate 70 in central Missouri, travelers aren't likely to notice the 12-acre corn patch sitting adjacent to Gary Hinegardner's distillery, Wood Hat Spirits. Aside from a few extra weeds, it really doesn't look much different than other corn fields at highway speed.

But step into the rows and it becomes obvious that this isn't any typical field of corn. Pull back the shucks on a few ears, and an entire rainbow of color -- blues, purples, reds, oranges and yellows -- is revealed in the kernels. Hinegardner hopes that somewhere among these heirloom corn varieties is the key to a better-tasting whiskey.

CAFNR Celebrates Women’s History Month: Q&A with Sherry Flint-Garcia

Flint-Garcia is a CAFNR Column award winner and CAFNR alumna.

Sherry Flint-Garcia (PhD Genetics Area Program ‘01) is a research geneticist and lead scientist with USDA and adjunct professor of Plant Science and Technology. In her lab, the research focus is on genetic diversity of maize and the impact of artificial selection on protein and amino acid composition of the kernels. She earned her PhD at Mizzou in the interdisciplinary Genetics Area Program, of which many CAFNR faculty are affiliated.

CAFNR Honors Exceptional Alumni

Six of the college’s outstanding alumni recognized at the 2021 Column Awards ceremony.

“Dr. Flint-Garcia has distinguished herself as an eminent scientist in the fields of maize genetics and agriculture. She has brought great honor to MU as an alumna and additionally as a representative of the university in her current position,” says James Birchler, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences.