Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: January 7, 2008

Missouri Farm Families and Young Farmers Receive Scholarships to Attend Governor’s Conference on Agriculture

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Hosted by Gov. Matt Blunt and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the 41st Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture began Sunday in St. Louis with opportunities to learn more about the agricultural industry. Ten Missouri companies provided scholarships for Missouri farm couples and young farmers to attend the Jan. 6-7 conference providing them the chance to network with fellow Missouri agricultural producers and agribusiness leaders.

“Each year, Missouri businesses generously provide scholarships for Missouri farmers to attend the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture. It is important that we continue to promote Missouri agriculture and share ideas on emerging technologies to ensure that Missouri’s farmers will remain competitive in our economy,” said Gov. Matt Blunt. “Agriculture continues to be a bedrock of our state’s economy. We must continue to provide farm families and young farmers with the tools they need to succeed in Missouri agriculture.”

Twenty-one Missourians were given scholarships to attend the conference by the following companies:

• Poet Biorefining – Macon/ Poet Biorefining – Laddonia
• Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives – Jefferson City
• N.W. Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. – Cameron
• Associated Electric Power Cooperative
• MFA, Inc. - Columbia
• Orscheln Farm & Home – Moberly
• United Electric Cooperative – Savannah
• Co-Mo Electric Cooperative – Tipton
• BASF Corporation – Palmyra

“We are very pleased to bring the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture to a new place this year. These scholarships will allow Missouri producers an opportunity to learn from a line up of innovative presenters about new industry trends, hear success stories and discuss industry challenges and new marketing opportunities,” said Katie Smith. “Agriculture is the foundation of our state’s economy and St. Louis is a great place to host the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture.”

For more information on the 41st Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, visit http://www.mda.mo.gov/govconf.htm.

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