Department rolls out plans to celebrate National Agriculture Week in Missouri

To celebrate National Agriculture Week, March 18-24, 2018, the Department of Agriculture has planned an activity for each of the four MORE pillars. 

“For most of us in the industry, agriculture is a personal thing. It’s a passion we’ve had since we were young, and a legacy we want to pass on to the next generation,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “We want every Missourian to be able to connect personally with food, fuel, fiber and forestry, because it is part of each of our lives, in big and small ways, every day. We hope this statewide celebration is one that encourages growth, investment and trust in agriculture.”

The Department has planned the following activities:

• feed MORE: The Department will host a food drive and give back to food insecure in the state. All food and monetary donations will be distributed to Missouri’s six food banks through Feeding Missouri to help combat hunger.
• reach MORE: Department employees will be submitting photos as part of the "Show Me YOUR Ag" employee photo contest. The photos will demonstrate our staff’s pride in agriculture, and show their passion for the industry. The vast majority of employees have a personal connection to agriculture outside of it solely being their job; these photos will show that connection. A handful of submissions will be shared on social media to highlight the agriculture team who serves Missouri’s farmers, ranchers and citizens.
• connect MORE: The lack of high speed internet can be a hurdle for any business. The Department will unveil on social media a video featuring Meagan Kaiser, soil scientist and chief operating officer at Perry Agricultural Laboratory. Perry Agricultural Laboratory provides soil testing and fertilizer prescriptions for producers to help their operation achieve maximum efficiency. Kaiser outlines some of the challenges she faces in their business because of the lack of rural broadband.
• empower MORE: The Department’s efforts to cut red tape began last summer, and now it is time for phase two of the initiative. The Department has proposed the elimination of 1,201 restrictions, a reduction of 25 percent, and will launch a new proposed rule web page that will, for the first time, allow users to provide written comments online. This web page will list each proposed change/amendment/rescission with a link to fiscal notes, the Missouri Register, reference materials and important dates. Once launched, visit the Department’s proposed rules page here: http://agriculture.mo.gov/proposed-rules/

To follow along, connect with the Department on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Updates will be posted throughout the week. Use the hashtag #NationalAgWeek to join in the conversation. Click here to read more.

New Hermann Wine Trail event features Missouri  food and farmers 

This spring, wine enthusiasts visiting Hermann will have the unique opportunity to meet the farmers behind their food and wine. Celebrating the best of what Missouri has to offer, Missouri CommonGround and the Hermann Wine Trail announce The Farmers’ Table Wine Trail, a new addition to the wine trail lineup in 2018.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and celebrate Missouri agriculture as they taste their way through seven delectable wine and food pairings. In addition to award-winning wine, The Farmers’ Table Wine Trail will showcase corn, beef, pork, chicken, lamb, dairy and vegetables – all foods representing the state’s vibrant agricultural landscape.

“The Hermann Wine Trail is excited to add The Farmers’ Table Wine Trail to our line up of popular wine and food pairing events,” said Hermann Wine Trail President Patty Held. “This new opportunity allows us to showcase the best of what Missouri has to offer, great food and wine in the beautiful Hermann countryside.”

The Farmers’ Table Wine Trail runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 7, with tasting experiences at seven Hermann Wine Trail locations: Adam Puchta Winery, Bias Winery, Dierberg Star Lane Tasting Room, Hermannhof Winery, OakGlenn Winery, Robller Vineyard and Stone Hill Winery. Tickets for the event are $30 and include wine and food pairings, a souvenir wine glass and the chance to win a drawing for a Missouri gift basket and one night’s stay in Hermann. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available online or by calling the Hermann Welcome Center at (800) 932-8687.

This event is made possible through a partnership between Missouri CommonGround, the Hermann Wine Trail and support from the Missouri Wine & Grape Board. Missouri CommonGround is a group of volunteer farm women passionate about agriculture and sharing their experiences raising food. Learn more about today’s food production and meet the farmers behind the food at www.findourcommonground.com. Missouri CommonGround is supported by Missouri farmers, the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.

Bulk up your branding

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has funds available to assist Missouri producers with the cost associated with relabeling Missouri agriculture products for retail sale. The Missouri Grown Promotion Program is funded through the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Ag Business Development Division and provides cost-share assistance to producers for the cost of incorporating the Missouri Grown logo on their product for retail sale. Funding is limited and requests for funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests must be postmarked by March 30, 2018, to be considered.

Products grown/raised by Missouri producers or further processed and packaged by Missouri businesses are eligible. Use of the Missouri Grown logo must be pre-approved by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Due to USDA labeling requirements for meat products, individuals or companies interested in using the Missouri Grown logo on meat products should contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture staff about use of the Missouri Grown Member logo.

To learn more and download your request form, visit the Missouri Grown Promotion Program webpage.