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2019 Missouri Governor’s Ag Conference preview

The upcoming 2019 Governor’s Conference on Agriculture has been designed with farmers in mind. Missouri Agriculture director Chris Chinn and her staff toured the state last year, in lieu of a conference, to find out what Missouri farmers wanted, “The one thing that we heard, loud and clear, was that it was really hard for people to leave their operations for more than a night. So that’s why you’re going to see a condensed agenda.”  Chinn says the governor be there at the Thursday luncheon, on January 10th, “Governor Parson will share his vision for Missouri agriculture as we begin the 2019 year as we look forward to the 2019 growing season.”

Chinn says growers and livestock producers had a tough 2018 and the conference is away to kick off the new year on a positive note. The 2019 Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture will be January 10th and 11th at Tan Tar A Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.

AUDIO with Director Chinn and Deputy Director Garrett Hawkins ~

Conference highlights – Brownfield’s Cyndi Young will emcee ~
Commodity Outlook with Tyne Morgan, U.S. Farm Report
The recording of the U.S. Farm Report will kick-off the conference by bringing critical market analysis, the latest trade negotiation updates and a farm bill breakdown to Missouri farmers & ranchers.
Missouri Agriculture Awards luncheon with Governor Mike Parson
Governor Parson will share his vision for Missouri agriculture as we begin the 2019 growing season. We will also celebrate the achievements with six Missouri Agriculture Awards.
The Missouri Way panel featuring Director Chris Chinn and fellow Cabinet members
Members of Governor Parson’s Cabinet will share ways they are working between state agencies to advance the Governor’s workforce and infrastructure agenda and how that agenda relates to the agriculture industry.
And nationally-recognized speakers that fit into each of our MORE strategic pillars
FeedMORE 
The much-anticipated results of the Food & Beverage Manufacturing study commissioned by the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will be revealed. Our speakers will also emphasize food insecurity and how we can all find solutions in our own communities. 
Dean Daubert of the Mizzou College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Eric Maly with the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri
Aly Francis, 4-H and FFA student from Paris, Mo
ReachMORE
In many ways, the food we eat deeply connects us all – from the family traditions we share to the local specialties we produce. Vivian Howard was raised on her family farm and she has since spent her life connecting the food we eat to the stories behind each product. 
Vivian Howard, chef, author, TV personality and owner of Chef & The Farmer
Teresa Lee with the Missouri Agriculture Foundation
ConnectMORE
We will explore some of the most pressing issues related to technology on the farm and in our communities, from blockchain technology to critical infrastructure like broadband.
Mark Pryor with The Seam
Todd Sears with Intellifarms
EmpowerMORE
Our speakers will reveal the future of plant and animal sciences, leaving farmers empowered as they return to the farm. 
Jeremy Williams with Bayer Crop Science
Ed Robb of BioPharma Potentials
The Governor’s Conference on Agriculture has always been a special event for Missouri agriculture. We are excited to host everyone in January!

For more information on the conference, or to register, visit Agriculture.Mo.Gov/conference!