From agricultural leader to academic lecturer

Normally, MFA Incorporated president and CEO Ernie Verslues spends his days leading one of the nation’s top agricultural cooperatives. But on April 12 and 13, he found himself leading classes and discussions with agricultural students at the University of Missouri.

For those two days, Verslues served as the Robert O. Reich Family Executive-in-Residence for MU’s Col­lege of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. The program brings business leaders to the university to interact with students, faculty and staff across the breadth of the ag school. Two executives are invited each year—one in the fall and one in the spring.

The program was established in February 1997 as a collaborative learning experience for students. Verslues addressed agribusiness and agriculture education/leadership classes, offering his per­spective on the industry changes during his tenure as well as his outlook for the future. He also par­ticipated in a student roundtable and ag markets discussion among other networking activities with CAFNR representatives.

For more information or to nominate an in­dustry leader for the program, visit online at cafnr.missouri.edu/executive-in-residence.