Applications Available for 2023 Missouri Agribusiness Academy

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is offering 30 high school students representing 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, as well as farm families, throughout Missouri the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture through the 2023 Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA). MAbA is a competitive program for sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related degrees and careers.

“Year after year, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy allows some of Missouri’s brightest students to gather and collaborate,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “This program presents high school students the opportunity to learn alongside those with a similar passion for agriculture. Through MAbA, students build leadership skills and gain a better understanding about the career opportunities available throughout the Missouri agriculture industry.”

The students selected will participate in a yearlong program to learn about the unique opportunities for careers in the St. Louis area, volunteer at the Missouri State Fair and learn more about the agriculture industry in Jefferson City. The 2023 schedule will be finalized in the spring and will include visits with industry and agribusiness leaders, as well as tours of their facilities.

Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has graduated more than 1,060 students through a competitive application and interview process. The first portion of the 2023 MAbA will be held June 5-9, and marks the program’s 36^th year. Students interested in participating must submit an application by Feb. 1, 2023.

For applications and guidelines, as well as more information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs, visit the Department online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov.

USDA Releases Farmer, Rancher and Forest Manager Survey

Producers can now take a nationwide survey to help the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) improve and increase access to its programs and services for America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. The survey includes new and existing customers. USDA encourages all agricultural producers to take the survey, especially those who have not worked with USDA previously. The survey gathers feedback on programs and services available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA).

The survey is available online at farmers.gov/survey, and producers should complete by March 31, 2023. Stakeholder organizations are also encouraged to share the survey link through their networks. The survey is available in 14 different languages including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hmong, Korean, Navajo, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Urdu and Vietnamese.

“A robust survey response that includes the perspectives of all of our customers, including underserved producers, will help USDA better understand the unique needs of both existing and prospective customers, while identifying opportunities to enhance government programs and services. Please take the survey, especially if we haven’t worked with you before,” said Robert Bonnie, USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). “This survey will provide USDA with critical data to help USDA serve all of agriculture.”

In addition to the online survey, the FPAC Business Center, which is administering the survey, will also mail 11,000 printed surveys to various local state stakeholder organizations and farmers markets.

The survey is an Office of Management and Budget requirement supported by the Biden-Harris President’s Management Agenda (PMA), which identified FSA and NRCS as High-Impact Service Providers. These agencies provide critical customer-facing services and are expected to use the survey data to make targeted improvements.

2022 MU Crop Management Conference

Farmers and crop specialists are invited to attend a special in-person annual conference for industry updates from leading agriculture researchers at the University of Missouri and other institutions across the United States.

The event is set for December 14-15, 2022 in Columbia, Mo.

Topics include soil and water conservation, weed and pest management, ag innovation and technology, fertilizer decisions, land leasing, and more. 

Registration is available online requiring a credit card payment and a unique email address for each registrant.

• $225.00  Full Conference Registration Fee
• $125.00  Farmer Registration Fee (a reduced rate for individuals whose primary occupation is farming)
• $175.00  One-Day Conference (Wednesday and Thursday)
•   $50.00  Student Registration Fee

A late fee of $25.00 will be added to registrations processed after December 2, 2022. 

Registration fee includes morning break service, daily lunch and access to handouts.

Certified Crop Advisor Credits (CCA) can be obtained for sessions attended at the Crop Management Conference.  There are 16 CCA credits available during the two day event.

Learn more about topics and register on Mizzou's website.