By Blake Jackson
Charlie Lewis has always been passionate about the land and the role it plays in agriculture and environmental stewardship. This weekend, Lewis will graduate from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources with a degree in environmental sciences focused on land and soil management.
Raised on his family’s farm near Ashland, Missouri, Lewis grew up surrounded by Angus and Hereford cattle, Tennessee Walking Horses, quail and hunting dogs. His interest in soil science deepened during his time in FFA, especially while competing in soil judging events.
“I fell in love with all things soil and all things earthy,” he said. “I found a community through FFA in high school and being surrounded by farmers my whole life. It also showed me there is room for improvement. Farmers are doing important work — feeding all of us — but they’re not getting represented enough. I want to support them while also promoting best land management practices.”
Lewis plans to continue his education at Montana State University, where he will serve as a graduate research assistant studying nitrogen fixation in soils through dry bean and legume production.
“I want to continue to be involved in research because there’s a lot more we need to find out before we can start prescribing things for people to do,” he said. “Agriculture is so important and has such a profound impact on the environment. I want to use what I’ve learned to support both.”
At Mizzou, Lewis embraced hands-on learning opportunities through field-based environmental science and forest ecology courses.
Outside the classroom, Lewis remained active in FFA, served as a CAFNR ambassador and participated in the Mizzou Collegiate Farm Bureau, where he explored agricultural policy issues at both the state and national levels.
Last summer, Lewis worked with Oklahoma State University’s Rural Renewal Initiative, researching soil nitrate pollution and its effects on drinking water in Oklahoma communities.
“I’ve been telling my friends lately that I have three main goals,” Lewis said. “To help as many people as possible and you do that through research; to spend as much time with friends and family as possible; and to see as many places as I can.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-casarsaguru
Categories: Missouri, Education