All 26 faculty from the Animal Science Department were in attendance at a retreat held at Mt. Magazine Lodge in August. With faculty spread across the state -  including the main campus at UA Fayetteville, Extension headquarters in Little Rock, the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope and the Batesville Station - it is important that we get together, with minimal interruptions and in a setting where everyone can focus on our mission of research, extension and teaching programs. Most faculty hold appointments in at least two of our three missions, and issues identified in faculty-led discussions have already led to actions that will improve the effectiveness and recognition of the Animal Science Department’s programs.