Cole honored with prestigious CAFNR Award

Five-plus decades of service to University of Missouri nets award for local leader
 
Eldon Cole was honored for his 50-plus years of service in agriculture with the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Column Award, an award bestowed each year on six distinguished alumni of the college.
According to information provided by Bill Lamberson, director of MU Animal Sciences and the person who nominated Cole for the award, Cole was deserving of the award for service in the agriculture industry “spanning five decades” in which he has been called “a pioneering force.”
“During this time, and over the course of his distinguished career,” Lamberson stated in an MU article announcing Cole’s award, “Eldon continues to leave an indelible mark on Missouri’s livestock industry by his creation of an educational conduit to transfer improvements in technology to the field. His ability to translate advances in scientific research to the production sector in his region led to improvements in producers’ bottom lines and the Missouri agricultural economy as a whole.”
The article also quoted David Patterson, Chancellor’s Professor in Animal Sciences, who stated Cole is constantly on top of the latest in advancements in agriculture.
 “What is perhaps most noteworthy, however, in considering the impact Eldon has had, is the fact that he continues to keep pace with advancements in science and production practices that meaningfully impact the production sector,” Patterson said.
The article also cited Cole’s work in the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program.
“(Cole) has been a pioneering force with this program since its beginning,” the article said.
Cole said he was surprised to learn he’d won the award, as it was the first time he’d ever heard of it.
“I wasn’t aware there was such an award,” he said.
Normally, the award, a mounted cut-glass plaque, is presented to the honorees at an awards ceremony. However, Lamberson said the ceremony was canceled this year due to the pandemic, and replaced by a call from the dean and announcements on social media. Cole said he received his award via Fed-Ex on Friday, Oct. 23.
“I think that’s it,” he said.
The CAFNR Column Award isn’t the only recognition Cole has received during his career, he has also received the MU Block and Bridle’s Livestock Person of the Year, the Citation of Merit from the CAFNR Alumni Association and has been named the Missouri Farm Bureau Agriculturalist of the Year. However, for Cole, the greatest award is the satisfaction he gets from supporting farmers through his work.
“My biggest enjoyment comes from helping farmers be successful,” he said.