Time to Register for 93rd Annual Greene County Agriculture Production Conference March 29 in Springfield

Contact: David Burton, civic communication specialist
County Program Director - Greene County
Tel: (417) 881-8909
E-mail: burtond@missouri.edu

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The 93rd Annual Agriculture Production Conference and SWCD Annual Meeting will begin with a free dinner at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 29. The event will be held in the 2nd floor banquet room at Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, 6821 West Independence (Exit 70 off of I-44), Springfield, Mo.

Sponsors for this event include Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District, Old Missouri Bank, FCS Financial, Springfield Livestock Market, MFA in Ash Grove, Friends of Greene County Extension and the Greene County Commission.

Formerly known as the Soils and Crops Conference, the conference name has been changed this year to better reflect the topics that best address farming in Greene County.

“This conference is designed to provide research-based information and options to area agriculture producers that can help them make more informed and profitable decisions,” said Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Pre-registration is needed by March 24 to aid in meal planning.

An informational brochure can be downloaded online at  http://extension.missouri.edu/greene. Registration can be done one of three ways: on the Greene County Extension website, by calling 417-881-8909 or by emailing greeneco@missouri.edu.  Both phone and email messages need to include your name, mailing address with city and zip, telephone number and number attending.

The program will feature three speakers and three topics.  “Livestock Market Outlook and Risk Management Options” presented by Dr. Scott Brown, state ag business specialist at the University of Missouri. “Veterinary Feed Directives – It’s Impact on the Beef Industry” presented by Dr. Alan Wessler, vice-president of feed operations and animal health for MFA in Columbia and Dr. Larry Forgey, district veterinarian, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Ozark. “Fencing – There’s Nothing Maintenance-Free” will be presented by Mark Green, resource conservationist, NRCS, Springfield.

Staff with the Greene County NRCS, FSA, and the Soil and Water Conservation District will give program and cost-share updates.
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Federal and State Funding Available for Food and Agribusiness Development Enterprises

Contact: Dr. Amy Patillo, community development specialist
Headquartered in Howell County
Tel: (417) 256-2391
E-mail: patilloa@missouri.edu

WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- University of Missouri Extension in Howell County will present a special program about federal and state funding available for food and agribusiness development enterprises.

The program will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Feb. 16 at the Howell County Extension Office, 1376 Bill Virdon Blvd. West Plains.

Dr. Van Ayers, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, will be presenting the program. Van Ayers has assisted numerous farmers and farm groups in obtaining funding for their food enterprises.

“This workshop focuses on improving and expanding food systems including growing, processing, storing, distributing, transporting and selling food in Missouri. This represents an opportunity to build entrepreneurship, small businesses, and jobs,” said Dr. Amy Patillo, community development specialist with MU Extension.

Locally produced food has the growing attention of consumers, schools, grocers, restaurants, entrepreneurial businesses, including farmers, processors, and distributors.

“Growing businesses rooted in agriculture is a good approach to building the regional economy and local jobs,” said Patillo.

This workshop will focus on connecting growers and producers with the available funding for the development of food enterprises in Missouri and expanding the local food systems and value-added agriculture enterprises.

For more information, contact Patillo at the Howell County Extension center, (417) 256-2391.
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