MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Dr. Gabe Ording, who serves as the director of the Center for Integrative Studies in General Science in the MSU College of Natural Science, and is an associate professor in the MSU Department of Entomology, was recently awarded the President’s Distinguished Teaching Award. For over 25 years, Ording’s passion for inclusive, high-engagement instruction has advanced scientific literacy for non-science majors. Read more: http://spr.ly/6041B64B6b

Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and members of MSU’s leadership team hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and a delegation of Michigan's elected officials, farmers and agricultural stakeholders at the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center on Monday, April 13. Secretary Rollins toured the new state-of-the-art dairy facility, participated in a stakeholder roundtable and held a press conference to announce $275 million in grant funding to support the U.S. specialty crop industry via the USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program. Read more: http://spr.ly/6040B64CyO

In recognition of Chuck and Jackie Frasier's gift to the MSU School of Packaging, the largest in CANR history, the MSU Board of Trustees announced that the exterior of the expanded Packaging 2.0 building will be named the Fraiser Packaging Research Hub. Learn more about the additional support needed to bring this exciting project to life: http://spr.ly/6042B6LKeg

A historic $47M gift from Chuck and Jackie Frasier — the largest in the history of the top-ranked MSU School of Packaging — is poised to redefine the global landscape of packaging education and research for generations to come. Chuck Frasier, a graduate of the MSU School of Packaging, built an extraordinary 50-year career in the global packaging industry. Jackie Frasier has proudly embraced MSU as her adopted alma mater through her dedicated involvement with the Spartan community. The Frasiers were recently honored with the 2026 CANR Dean's Pinnacle of Excellence Award during the annual ANR Awards for their extraordinary philanthropic support and dedicated service to MSU's School of Packaging and the entire CANR Community. http://spr.ly/6048B6vCDE

At MWC (Glanbia Nutritionals), a state-of-the-art cheese and whey protein manufacturing facility in St. Johns, Michigan, even minor disruptions in wastewater treatment can threaten production, environmental compliance and the livelihoods tied to Michigan’s dairy economy. To address the challenge, MWC turned to MSU’s Anaerobic Digestion Research and Extension Center, a globally recognized program supported by MSU AgBioResearch. Learn more: http://spr.ly/6046B6YSOQ

Jennifer Roedel, a doctoral student in the MSU Department of Entomology, has been selected for Michigan State University's 2026 Graduate Student Award for Community Engagement Scholarship in community-engaged teaching and learning. Roedel studies how habitat management strategies can support beneficial insects while limiting pest pressures in agricultural systems. Her work brings science, community partnership and accessible education together to support small-scale and urban growers who often lack equal access to agricultural resources. Learn more: http://spr.ly/6044B6YS60

Two CANR professors will be honored at the Innovation Celebration at Michigan State University on April 7. David Douches, a professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, will receive the Technology Transfer Achievement in recognition for his long track record of translational innovation in plant variety development, including work in potato variety development and molecular genetics. Wei Liao, a professor in the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, will receive the Corporate Connector Award for extensive collaboration with corporate partners and industry-engaged research leadership. Visit the link in the post below for more event information and to register. 

Join us tomorrow, March 31 at 1:30 p.m. EST for an exciting update on Packaging 2.0, the major renovation and expansion project moving forward at the MSU School of Packaging. This session will highlight the progress made to date and preview what’s ahead as the project continues to take shape. This one hour webinar will feature insights from Matt Daum, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean and Associate Provost, who will walk through the enhancements transforming the building and expanding its capacity to support students, faculty and industry partners. Register here: http://spr.ly/6043B6YosZ

Rafael Lembi, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Community Sustainability, has been selected for Michigan State University's 2026 Graduate Student Award for Community Engagement Scholarship in community-engaged research. Lembi is in the final year of his Ph.D., with a defense expected in spring 2026. His dissertation examines how Indigenous and traditional households experience access to photovoltaic (solar) energy systems and how these systems shape possibilities for just energy transitions in the Brazilian Amazon. Learn more: http://spr.ly/6048B6e0TC

Join us on Tuesday, March 31 at 1:30 p.m. EST for an exciting update on Packaging 2.0, the major renovation and expansion project moving forward at the MSU School of Packaging. This session will highlight the progress made to date and preview what’s ahead as the project continues to take shape. This one hour webinar will feature insights from Matt Daum, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean and Associate Provost, who will walk through the enhancements transforming the building and expanding its capacity to support students, faculty and industry partners. Register here: http://spr.ly/6049B6zr3L