News Release
August 15, 2013
USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Ag Services and Director of Ag Honor Missouri Exporter at State Fair
Osage Catfisheries of Osage Beach received Agricultural Exporter of the Year Award
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse visited the Missouri State Fairgrounds today to join Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler in recognizing Missouri's 2012 Agricultural Exporter of the Year, Osage Catfisheries. Missouri's farms, ranches and agriculture businesses, including Osage Catfisheries, export nearly $2.5 billion worth of products annually.
"Missouri's farmers and agriculture businesses raise the best crops and livestock and produce the highest quality products," said Dr. Hagler. "We are pleased to honor this fine family farm that has made a name not only for themselves but for all of Missouri as a source for first-class fish and caviar."
Osage Catfisheries was founded in 1953 as a bait shop for local fishermen. Today the farm supplies 32 species of fresh water fish to recreational and commercial aquariums, zoos, research markets, and state and federal agencies. Through its exports, Osage Catfisheries delivers live fish worldwide. Osage Catfisheries is also the only U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species approved paddlefish producer, allowing the farm to export paddlefish caviar internationally.
"People around the world continue to demand U.S. food and agricultural products, boosting American businesses and supporting our rural communities," said Scuse. "Missouri has much to be proud of in their agribusinesses and contributions to the quality, variety and reliability of U.S. food and agricultural products."
Missouri began recognizing business' international efforts with the Missouri Agricultural Exporter of the Year award in 1991.
The 111th Missouri State Fair is underway through Aug. 18 in Sedalia. For more information on all the events at the Fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).
For more information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the department online at mda.mo.gov.