News Release

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) - The Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture attracted 750 of Missouri's farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and agriculture enthusiasts. The conference took place December 16-18, 2015, at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo. This year's theme was 'Agriculture: Tell Your Story.' 

Throughout the Governor's Conference on Agriculture, attendees heard from Gov. Nixon, Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce, commodity organization leaders and countless other experts in the field of agriculture. 

"The Governor's Conference on Agriculture gives us the opportunity to bring our agriculture family together to evaluate, innovate and celebrate," said Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. "We shared stories of Missouri's farm families, those who have overcome obstacles, achieved great success and inspired those around them. Most importantly, we shared the story of agriculture, an industry that provides food, fuel and clothing for the world."

On Thursday night, a benefit auction, supporting the future of Missouri agriculture, raised more than $16,000. The auction proceeds benefit programs for youth and young professionals in agriculture including Missouri 4-H, Missouri FFA and Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT).  

Attendees enjoyed a BBQ buffet, sponsored by FCS Financial, and musical entertainment by the famous St. Louis dueling pianos of Spanky Entertainment. Tony Clayton, of Clayton Agri-Marketing served as the auctioneer, and Missouri State 4-H Council members, Missouri State FFA Officer Team members, ALOT classes and commodity leaders assisted the conference emcee, Cyndi Young of Brownfield Ag News, and Clayton with hosting the benefit auction.

The Governor's Conference on Agriculture Scholarship Program was developed to ensure agriculture producers and their families have the opportunity to become more active in the agriculture industry's gatherings. Many of these families would not have been able to attend without the generous support of sponsors. 

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:

• Randy and Jennifer Petree (scholarship provided by Co-Mo Electric Cooperative)
• Kyle and Brenda Smith (scholarship provided by Intercounty Electric Cooperative)
• Keith and Beverly Stevens (scholarship provided by Missouri Cattlemen's Association)
• Kevin and Jamie Johansen (scholarship provided by Missouri Cattlemen's Association)

The conference program included nationally-recognized speakers, in-depth discussions and an agriculture tradeshow featuring nearly 40 agriculture businesses and organizations.

Sessions included a "State of the Industry" panel discussion led by Missouri's commodity leaders, "Seven Revolutions - An ongoing research effort to identify and analyze the most important trends shaping our world between now and 2035," "The Verdict is in: Agriculture Takes Action," and "Gaining Traction in Missouri's Urban Areas." On Friday, content centered on advancements in bioenergy and communicating the story of agriculture to consumers. Friday afternoon's activities highlighted some of the outstanding young people making a difference in Missouri agriculture.Takes Action," and "Gaining Traction in Missouri's Urban Areas."

Special events during the conference included the Taste of AgriMissouri reception on Wednesday and Friday evening's awards banquet at which the department recognized more than a dozen Missouri agriculturalists who excel in areas such as farm innovation, environmental  stewardship, volunteerism and commodity growth. To culminate the conference, attendees enjoyed a special performance by country music artist and Missouri native Chris Janson. Janson's most recognizable song, "Buy Me A Boat," topped the charts this summer, and quickly made him widely known.

For more information on the Governor's Conference on Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit the Department online at http://agriculture.mo.gov.

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Note: Photos from the 46^th Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture are available on the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Flickr page.