News Release

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Missouri Forest Products Association, is hosting an opportunity for Missouri forest product companies to learn about market trends and show examples of other agriculture commodities succeeding in their ventures. The program will held on Fri., May 8 from 1-5 p.m. at The Landing in Van Buren, MO.

“We continue to encourage Missouri industries to work together to find new ways to move Missouri agriculture forward. This program will show how producers have succeeded in finding ways to expand their markets and add value to their farms,” said Dr. Jon Hagler, director of MDA. “We will continue to do everything we can seek innovative ways to grow and further develop our industry.”

The program will describe how Missouri’s corn farmers worked together to build ethanol plants expanding their markets and relate it to how forest processors could similarly cooperate to expand their domestic and international markets. Speakers with success organizing agricultural-related cooperatives will give their first-hand experiences while other speakers will share their knowledge of export markets.

The forest products program is funded from a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Enterprise grant and a federal State Market Improvement grant.

Missouri forest products companies in Dent, Carter, Iron, Ripley, Reynolds, Shannon, Texas and Wayne counties are encouraged to attend. The program is free and will conclude with a meal. To confirm your reservation, please email valueag@valueag.com or call at (573) 234-4909.