ReachMORE Tour roundup

The ReachMORE Tour continued this week as the team traveled to Kirksville on Friday, Dec. 1 to participate in the Missouri Livestock Symposium. Each year, hundreds of livestock producers gather for this premier educational event. Our team was able to visit with producers during the meal on Friday evening, and Director Chinn had the opportunity to make remarks about her passion for livestock and agriculture. 

Missouri Farm Bureau's "Agvocate" theme matched perfectly with our mission to #ReachMORE consumers with the real story of Missouri farm families. To top it off, Governor Eric Greitens and Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn shared their perspectives on the importance of protecting our farms for the next generation.

Thank you to the Missouri Livestock Symposium planning committee and the Missouri Farm Bureau Board of Directors and staff members for such a warm welcome. 

See the rest of our ReachMORE Tour dates: http://agriculture.mo.gov/more/tour.php

Missouri State Fair brings home the gold

The Missouri State Fair was recently recognized as one of the best in the world by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE).

During the recent IAFE Convention, the Missouri State Fair was recognized for excellence in agriculture education, sponsorship, competitive exhibits and communications. Among the more than 30 awards received, the Missouri State Fair was recognized for excellence in agriculture education with the prestigious Agriculture Sweepstakes Award and excellence in sponsorship activation with the Best of Division Award. The fair also received first place awards for the Drive to Feed Kids partnership, renovations to the historic Swine Barn and for the 2017 marketing campaign, among others. The fair was judged alongside other IAFE fair members of similar size, ranging in attendance from 250,000 to 500,000. A complete list of awards received can be viewed on the Missouri State Fair's website.

IAFE, based in Springfield, Mo., is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation, serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions. Its associate members include state and provincial associations of fairs, non-agricultural expositions and festivals, associations, corporations, and individuals engaged in providing products and services to its members, all of whom are interested in the improvement of fairs, shows, expositions, and allied fields.

2017 Census of Agriculture is coming your way

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has started mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to our nation’s producers. Mailing in phases, all census questionnaires should be received by late December. The deadline to respond is Feb. 5, 2018. 

Producers can respond online at www.agcensus.usda.gov (take advantage of new timesaving features and the convenience of being accessible on most mobile and desktop devices) or by mail. Conducted once every five years, the census aims to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture. The resulting data are used by trade associations, researchers, policymakers, extension educators, agribusinesses, and many others. The data can play a vital role in community planning, farm assistance programs, technology development, farm advocacy, agribusiness setup, rural development and more. 

The census is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the nation. 

Every response matters. Every voice helps shape the future of U.S. agriculture. For more information, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540. The Census of Agriculture is your voice, your future, your opportunity.