For the past year, it has been my pleasure to serve as president of the Midwest Association of State Departments of Agriculture, or MASDA. MASDA is one of four regional groups of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
I came to the helm in June 2023 at the MASDA annual meeting. Each year, the sitting president hosts the meeting. So, last month my counterparts from 12 other states came to Chesterfield, Missouri, representing Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
My team and I started planning the MASDA 2024 annual meeting more than two years ago. Determining where to hold the event was perhaps the most difficult task. Missouri has a lot to offer and we wanted to showcase the breadth and depth of our state’s agricultural industry to other state leaders.
We asked representatives of the agricultural sector from the St. Louis region to address the group. With the largest concentration of plant scientists in the world, the Danforth Center shared how it is leading this effort.
BioSTL explained how a nonprofit organization works with existing agricultural businesses and startups to boost the agricultural economy. Missouri Farmers Care told how commodity groups and agricultural businesses work together to advance Missouri agriculture.
Study trip
Additionally, we brought state Department of Agriculture leaders to the Bayer Research Center in Chesterfield and the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit.
Bayer Plant Science phytologists and agronomists are at the forefront of seed technology and crop protection for farmers around the world. The research and testing conducted at Bayer will truly help feed and clothe a growing world.
The Purina Animal Nutrition Center is a 1,200-acre working farm with over 3,000 animals. Purina is constantly looking for the next innovation in animal nutrition. The team works with traditional livestock species to determine optimal feed rations and production practices for all life stages.
While we can’t invite every farmer who uses Bayer technology or every rancher who bought a bag of Purina feed to visit us, giving your state’s agricultural leader that opportunity is perhaps the best option.
It was a privilege to take my counterparts to both places. We are proud to have these and other global agricultural companies in our state.
Prepared workforce
Here in the heart of Missouri, you have the workforce, transportation availability, and climate to help businesses succeed.
One session focused on how the University of Missouri Animal Science team trains workers for the meat processing industry.
Dr. Bryon Wiegand established the meat science research program at MU before being named director of the Division of Animal Science. His team’s latest innovation is the Show-Me Meat Training and Education Center, a meat processing facility on wheels for training and education.
Wiegand was joined by officials from American Foods Group, owner of a 2,400-herd meat processing facility set to open in 2025 near Wright City, Missouri.
It was a pleasure to host my counterparts for a few days and show them a small glimpse of the great things Missouri is doing to impact an entire industry.
Chinn is the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and lives on a diversified farming operation in northeast Missouri.
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