Show-Me State Times

From revolutionizing animal welfare practices to broadening the understanding of autism, Temple Grandin is known for making significant contributions to society. During a recent visit to the University of Missouri, she engaged with over 300 students from the Missouri Scholars Academy, sharing insights on overcoming obstacles to become a leading animal behaviorist.

While in town, Grandin visited Mizzou’s Beef Research and Teaching Farm, hosting a community event on best practices for cattle handling and farm management. She also toured Jefferson Farm and Garden Extension Center, a 60-plus-acre farm dedicated to engaging the community in food, agriculture, and environmental experiences.

A longtime professor at Colorado State University, Grandin has transformed animal behaviorism over her 34-year career as an animal scientist. She has championed new techniques for keeping cattle calm, including designing stress-free cattle-handling systems used by commercial packing operations today. Beyond her professional achievements, Grandin serves as a role model for individuals with autism and advocates for career and educational opportunities for all.

Grandin acknowledges that while labels can sometimes limit autistic individuals if they are not exposed to new experiences, her neurodivergence has positively shaped her perception of the world. As a self-described “visual thinker,” she used her heightened sensory awareness to identify flaws in cattle-management systems during her field research.

During her international travels as an expert in animal welfare science, Grandin shares her expertise widely. As an academic and professor, she teaches and advises master’s and doctoral students while continuing her own research. Her current focus includes studying the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on agriculture. She also consults for multinational brands such as McDonald’s and Costco on management practices for packing plants.

Grandin emphasizes the importance of support systems like MU Extension in adapting to new industry trends driven by AI. Stewarding Missouri’s resources and preparing the land for future generations exemplify true service to the agriculture industry.

Originally from New England, Grandin was introduced to agriculture at 15 when her mother encouraged her to visit her aunt’s ranch in Arizona. “My mother gave me a choice,” Grandin said. “I would go to the farm, and if I didn’t like it, I could come home right away.” This experience marked the beginning of her lifelong connection with agriculture.

Grandin highlights that exposure to new experiences and freedom of choice are crucial for empowering people with autism. During her tour of Mizzou’s Jefferson Farm and Garden, she praised MU's diverse resources and commitment to inclusivity in agriculture. She recognized MU Extension's dedication to hands-on learning as an effective way to open doors for people with autism.

“I know autistic people who own ranches and metal fabrication shops,” Grandin said. She explained that autistic individuals often excel at building machinery due to their visual thinking skills. “Programs like Master Gardener would help autistic people make friends through shared experiences,” she added. There are numerous opportunities for autistic individuals in greenhouses or entrepreneurial careers within agriculture.