Missouri Agriculture Updates: 2018 MAbA announced. Missouri Grown parks. Help him stay.

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Missouri Agriculture Updates

April 7, 2018


MAbA 2018

Thirty sophomores selected for the 2018 Missouri Agribusiness Academy 

Thirty high school sophomores were recently selected to participate in the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA). Students selected will spend the first week of June in the St. Louis region exploring various facets of agriculture.

“We are proud to announce another outstanding MAbA class. Our young people in agriculture set the bar high and model respect, determination, responsibility and service—values we in the industry strive to instill along with farming traditions,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “MAbA empowers students to further develop those leadership skills and use them to enhance the future of Missouri agriculture and our rural communities.” 

On Monday, June 4, the MAbA class will convene at the Missouri Department of Agriculture. After a department overview and tour, the students will travel to St. Louis. During the 2018 Missouri Agribusiness Academy, the students will visit businesses and learn about career opportunities in animal and plant health, communications, forestry, value-added agriculture production and more. The students will end their week with a graduation ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has awarded more than 900 academy memberships through a competitive application and interview process for high school sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related college degrees and careers.

Click here to see a list of students selected for the 2018 class.


    Missouri Grown at State Parks

    Missouri Grown partnership with State Parks continues to grow

    The days are getting longer and the weather is a bit warmer. With the chorus of peeper frogs and new tree buds, spring is here to stay (hopefully). 

    Missouri State Parks have begun to open for the year, and that brings a number of opportunities for Missourians to explore some of the state's beautiful landscapes through hiking, biking, camping or horseback riding. As you pull together a list of places for your family to visit, keep our state parks in mind. They have a little something for everyone - including Missouri Grown items which are available for purchase in the visitor centers! You can explore nature, and enjoy a Missouri treat. 

    Some of the parks featuring members' products are Echo Bluffs, Montauk, Babler, Johnson's Shut-Ins, Route 66 State Park, Sam A. Baker and Lake Wappapello.

    Click here to learn more about Missouri Grown


    Suicide Prevention

    Help him stay

    Adult men are most at risk for suicide. In Missouri, about 380 adult men between the ages of 35 and 60 die by suicide each year. Prolonged anxiety or intense stress, when left unchecked, can wreak havoc on our health and ability to function. Stress and anxiety can affect relationships, the farm and finances, if left untreated. This represents a real loss for Missouri families and communities. 

    Suicide can be prevented. 

    It means knowing what to do when you or someone you know is going through a difficult time. It means knowing how and where to get help. Help is available. It is very important that men experiencing depression, alcohol/drug addiction, or suicidal thoughts get professional help.

    For free, confidential assistance 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The Lifeline can help you get through an immediate crisis and put you in touch with resources in your community. 

    Click here to learn more


    This Week in Photos

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    This week, we highlight the Mizzou College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Celebration of Excellence where Director Chinn was chosen as an honorary member of the Ag Alumni Association, Governor Greitens hosting Easter at the Governor's Mansion, our meeting with Missouri State Parks and Missouri Department of Economic Development staff to explore how we can bring broadband access to state parks, and Department staff representing Missouri at the GEAPS Exchange, which is the "biggest and best show in the grain industry."

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