For Missouri State University graduate student Paige Bossaller, agriculture isn’t just a field of study; it’s a legacy.  

As a sixth-generation member of her family to work in agriculture, Bossaller has deep ties to the agriculture industry.   

“I grew up on a farm in Owensville, Missouri, so I’ve been involved in agriculture my whole life,” she said.  

Bossaller started studying at Missouri State in fall 2021. She chose to become a Bear because the degree program she wanted had a strong reputation and the university was close to home. 

Her upbringing in a rural community and her experiences in high school inspired her to pursue a major in plant science. 

“Being exposed to crop production from childhood and participating in FFA agronomy contests in high school made me passionate about crop science,” she said. 

She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental plant science at Missouri State in 2024. She will complete her master’s degree in plant science through the university’s accelerated program this December.  

Thriving as a Bear 

 According to Bossaller, her four years on campus have been a positive experience. 

“I loved every minute of my journey as a student here and the beauty of the campus. When I recruit for the Darr College of Agriculture, I always tell parents and students about how warm and welcoming the campus is,” she said.   

Bossaller credits the college with preparing her to enter the workforce. As an ag student, she completed a three month internship in agronomy research at WinField United in Kansas during her bachelor’s studies. While completing her master’s, she worked as a parent characterization intern at Syngenta in Nebraska, where she helped with genetics and plant breeding research. 

“The college equipped me to intern with those companies, where I gained valuable skills I couldn’t have learned in a classroom. I’m thankful for those opportunities and I’m excited to apply the skills I gained in the future,” she said. 

Finding her place  

Throughout her graduate and undergraduate years, Bossaller stayed active in several student organizations and agricultural societies. These include the Delta Tau Alpha National Agriculture Honors Society and the Crop Science Society of America. She also was president of the Agronomy Club and engaged in many community service projects.   

“During my time as president, I had to recruit and communicate with a lot of people because we were trying to rebuild the club after COVID,” she said.  

This led her to become an ambassador for the college. In this role, she traveled to college fairs, career fairs and other events to promote the college. 

This experience helped her secure a graduate assistantship for her master’s degree. As a marketing and recruiting graduate assistant, she leads the agriculture ambassadors and plans all their on-campus and off-campus events.  

“A lot of my work happens behind the scenes to make sure everything is well coordinated,” she said.  

Plans and advice 

Bossaller’s ambition is to work as an agronomist.   

“That has been my goal from the beginning. But I’m open to anything because I like trying new things,” she said. 

The main advice she has for future Mo State students is to build connections early and get involved. 

“I’d say the most important thing is to make yourself known. On the first day of class, introduce yourself to your professors, so they remember your name. It’s a simple step, but it can really help you later with internships, volunteer work and other opportunities,” she said.  

“Also, keep an eye on BearLink for clubs and organizations you can join. There’s always a place to get involved and make a difference.”  

Learn more about plant science