Agriculture is already a $93-billion industry in our state as we produce a variety of commodities from beef cattle to soybean to rice. Value-added agriculture offers a huge growth opportunity, with one report finding that we could double value in this area from $35 billion to more than $70 billion in the next five years. That’s where the Show-Me-State Food, Beverage and Forest Products Manufacturing Initiative comes in. A collaboration among colleges and universities, state agencies, commodity groups and industry in our state, this initiative aims to strategically grow value-added production across Missouri. Members will showcase the initiative’s potential, priorities and process in this engaging panel discussion.
Speakers:
Christopher Daubert, Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Garrett Hawkins, President, Missouri Farm Bureau
Mike Kehoe, Lieutenant Governor, State of Missouri
Sheri Smithey, Senior Vice President, Global R&D Network, Nestle Purina PetCare
Christi Sudbrock, Assistant Professor, Missouri State University