Dr. Anson Elliott

Dr. Anson Elliott is Director of the Darr School of Agriculture. He joined the University in January, 1978 as a teaching faculty. The past 34 years he has served as the top administrator in agriculture, but considers himself a teacher, mentor and team leader assigning himself at least three classes per year and numerous individualized studies and internships.

Dr. Elliott has tirelessly contributed to and facilitated student and faculty participation in public affairs engagement. In a response to active recruitment of outstanding high school seniors, Dr. Elliott began a Leadership course for incoming freshmen where the course's mantra is “Leadership is not royalty, it is making a difference!” As a result, many of those students have become Agricultural Ambassadors, which has led to leadership and civic engagement activities on campus, and beyond. He also initiated the Collegiate Farm Bureau Club associated with the largest farm organization in Missouri as a way for students to be immersed in state and national public policy issues. He personally became a key leader in successful efforts to modify the US Farm Bill and to obtain Funds which Non-Land-Grant Universities like MSU could access for the improvement of education.

Through his Food Security Class, his goals have been to develop students to become responsible, informed and culturally-competent citizens who have the skills to affect change. His international travels to France, India, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Russia on food issues have been key to instilling in students how interconnected we really are.

Dr. Elliott ensures through faculty, staff, curriculum and civic activities that Agriculture students not only understand public affairs, but also are able to demonstrate ethical leadership, cultural competence and community involvement.