"It's the people!"
Reflections from dedicated staff members who've been with CFANS from Day 1.
June 9, 2026
As the University of Minnesota celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, we reflect on a vast tapestry of discovery, stewardship, and land-grant service. Decades before "CFANS" existed, our separate departments and historic colleges were already building a deep legacy of excellence in Minnesota.
But as the world’s grand challenges grew more complex, it became clear that solving tomorrow’s problems required looking at the bigger picture. Twenty years ago, that vision took structural form. On July 1, 2006, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) was officially established, bringing together the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, the College of Natural Resources, and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition from the College of Human Ecology.
Structural evolution and organizational change are rarely easy. Blending centuries of distinct, deeply cherished traditions into a newly unified College was a profound transition. But if you ask what turned an administrative merger into a thriving community, the answer is simple: It’s the people.
More than 100 dedicated staff members have been the bedrock of this evolution since Day 1 — and in many cases, long before. These cornerstone individuals represent units across our entire landscape, spanning all 12 academic departments, our statewide Research and Outreach Centers (ROCs), the Bell Museum, and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. They are the heart of our administration, finance, information technology, undergraduate and graduate student services, alumni relations, teaching, and research.
To celebrate this 20-year milestone, a few of these long-tenured staff members reflected on their personal journeys, their favorite memories, and what it means to dedicate a career to a calling.
David Bedford
Senior Research Fellow, Department of Horticultural ScienceJoined in 1979 as a junior scientist Role: I'm an apple breeder. My job involves working with a small team of dedicated researchers to create new apple varieties for the public. Pride Point: Being part of the team that creates wholesome foods that provide appealing options for people who are seeking healthy lifestyles. Memorable Moment: Tasting my first bite of a Honeycrisp apple. |
Mary Buschette
Director of Alumni and Constituent RelationsJoined in 1990 as a program coordinator for MAST International Role: I connect CFANS students with alumni and professionals who can guide, connect, and inspire them to find their future career passions. In this day and age real connections between real people is what really matters. Connections create meaning, value and purpose. Challenges and opportunities: It was a unique opportunity to be part of creating a new college. Before the name for CFANS was chosen, it was referred to as "NewCo" for New College. It was both exciting and challenging to bring together alumni from three different colleges to create a brand new alumni society. We maintained some old traditions and added new ones such as Borealis Night of Excellence. Why she loves CFANS: If you ask someone what they like about working in CFANS, the most common response is "the people" and I agree 100%. The College is filled with students, alumni, staff, and faculty who are passionate about the work they do and about making a positive difference. |
Sarah Dornink
Executive Director, Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership CouncilJoin in 2006 as a community program assistant Role: I lead the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC), a government appointed organization that promotes and expands agricultural education in the state of Minnesota. On campus, I teach AECM 3106: Agricultural Policy and Issues in Minnesota. Off campus, I serve on the board of directors for the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program (Class IX Alum) and am a committee member for the Women's Agricultural Leadership Conference and Networking Group. Mentor highlight: I've been incredibly fortunate to have leaders like Julie Tesch and Dean Brian Buhr who supported my path and trusted me to step into my current leadership role. St. Paul campus shout out: My favorite thing about the University of Minnesota is the small-town feel of the St. Paul campus. I also love the history here and my family's tradition of attending and working at the U. |
Ron Faber
System Operations Manager for the ROCs and Director of Operations, Sand Plain Research FarmJoined in 1997 as temp casual Role: I oversee and manage the operations of CFANS's ten ROCs throughout Greater Minnesota I am also responsible for the direct local administration and management of the Sand Plain Research Farm. Memorable moments: Navigating the complex logistics of relocating the Sand Plain Research Farm while fostering a unified, system-wide approach across all the ROCs has been one of my most impactful experiences. Pride point: Delivering on the University's land grant mission of teaching, research, and outreach in greater Minnesota through the ROCs, and working with the dedicated students, staff, and faculty who make that all happen. |
David GustafsonOnsite Sewage Treatment EducatorJoined in 1990 as an Extension engineer Role: I help Minnesotans make decisions on proper wastewater, so when they get home they can relax without impacting the Minnesota environment we all enjoy. Memorable moment: Working with the community of Hazel Run (population 55) to develop their community solution for wastewater infrastructure. It was a fun project with great Minnesota homeowners that worked together to create a sustainable solution. Word he lives by: Our Minnesota water resources take everyone's help to be enjoyed the way Minnesotans expect. By doing the right little things, you can make a BIG difference. |
Scott JonesFarm Equipment Operator, Southern ROC (Waseca)Joined in 1991 as a laborer Role: I land manage research ground for bulk farming and research plots. Pride point: I enjoy being able to collaborate with researchers and staff, and I am proud to have a meaningful impact in agriculture research and outreach. |
Jean Larson
Manager of Nature-Based Therapeutic Services, Minnesota Landscape ArboretumJoined in 1992 as program manager of horticultural therapy Role: My work is about breaking down systemic barriers to the outdoors, giving people the agency and tools to connect with nature on their own terms. By expanding access, I empower individuals to discover their own independence and claim their rightful space in the natural world. Memorable moments: After 35 years of service at the Arboretum, my favorite memory is simple: the countless stories from people who found healing in nature. Facilitating this connection to help lift the weight of grief, anxiety, and depression — and bring true joy and restoration — has been an honor that I will always carry with me. |
Ann Marcelle LewandowskiSenior Research and Extension Coordinator, Water Resources CenterJoined in 2003 as a research fellow in the soil, water, and climate Role: I’m a connector. Healthy water and healthy agriculture are complex systems, so we can only protect both through the collaboration of farmers, ag industry, government, environmentalists, and a variety of academic disciplines. My job is to bring these people together to do practical research and outreach. Why she loves CFANS: I love working for water and agriculture at the same time. I like the puzzle of understanding how water quality and the ag sector are intertwined at a down-to-earth and human level. That is part of why CFANS was created – to treat agriculture and natural resources as a single system. Pride point: I’m most proud of those times I’ve filled the in-between space – leading the work that is hard to do from a traditional academic or administrative position. |
Krystal Newton
Finance Supervisor, CFANS Finance and BudgetJoined in 2004 as an executive accounts specialist Role: I support the College as our budget coordinator and monitor and report on the dean's office commitments and reserves. I also serve as the lead of the dean's office and student services financial team. Pride point: I love the impact that CFANS makes across Minnesota. Every time I get a chance to interact with faculty or staff I learn something new about animals, farming, forests, bugs, etc. Memorable moments: My favorite memories in CFANS have been the friends I have made over the last 20+ years. CFANS always seems to hire a great group of caring individuals. It makes it such a nice place to work. |
Susan Reynolds
Researcher, Department of Agronomy and Plant GeneticsJoined in 2002 as a grad student; joined the staff in 2005 Role: I work on the wheat breeding project, and I'm in charge of getting all our materials in and out of the field and greenhouses and processing those samples once they're harvested. Pride point: The wheat project has produced several outstanding varieties during my time here, and I am proud of my role in that. Why she loves CFANS: Others will probably say this, but it's the people who make up our departments that truly make this a rewarding place to work! |
Tracy Thomas WilsonInstructional DesignerJoined in 1988 as a student worker; 1991 as staff member Role: I help instructors develop course websites with good pedagogy and clear structure that are easy for students to use; I help them get the best out of the tools we have to create a rich digital experience for students. Pride point: I love working with colleagues across the University to improve the student experience, and I get to work with so many interesting instructors creating fascinating courses. Why she loves CFANS: We are out there taking on global challenges in a very Minnesotan, “ope, just gonna sneak on by you and save the world” sort of way, which I love. |
Molly WernerDirector of Operations, Southwest ROC (Lamberton)Joined in 1996 as summer office support Role: I organize the operations of the Southwest ROC. A highlight is focusing on the fiscal aspects at both SWROC and SROC. Mentor highlight: Pauline Nickel was a former Director of the SWROC and my supervisor for over 20 years. She blazed a trail as a woman in a leadership role for both CFANS and Extension. Pride point: As a someone who grew up on a farm, I'm proud to contribute to supporting production agriculture. |
Daniel WheelerOnsite Sewage Treatment Program ManagerJoined in 1996 Role: I spearhead septic system education and research across Minnesota and beyond. Pride point: I just completed my 21st year teaching ESPM 3221 Soil Conservation and Land-Use Management course, and getting to connect with and learn from my students every year is incredibly rewarding. Words he lives by: In our program, we teach Minnesotans around four vital principles: KISS, KINN, KILL, and KIGG — Keep It Simple, Keep It Natural, Keep It Level, and Keep It Going. Memorable moment: I actually met my wife here! We even got to work together for several years within the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate and the Water Resources Center. |
Beheshteh Zargaran
Lab manager, Small Grains Pathology Lab, Department of Plant PathologyJoined in 2004 Role: I handle the overall management of our lab in the Department of Plant Pathology, which includes routine things like producing inoculum for field and greenhouse experiments, isolating and identifying fungi from plant tissues, managing safety training, and checking financial reports. Pride point: When someone eats a piece of bread in the morning or has oatmeal for breakfast or beer in the evening, they might not know how much science is behind it. What people do here is bringing food to peoples' tables. Not everyone — maybe not in this country but in other countries — can afford meat, but they can afford bread so providing adequate and healthy wheat is very important. Memorable moment: Taking a picture with Norman Borlaug during the Plant Pathology Centennial in 2007. |
