Some of the best and brightest undergrad students in science and agriculture have gathered in St. Louis, Mo. for the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day… a day when the students, their parents and educational sponsors will get to see firsthand how some of the best agri-businesses in the country operate. They’ll tour Novus’ St. Louis facilities, as well as see the operations at Monsanto and Pfizer.

The students are here, in part, because of the scholarships provided by these companies to the Missouri Colleges Fund, Inc… a not-for-profit group of 16 small, private Missouri colleges and universities that work together to acquire resources to help educate students in member private liberal-arts colleges and universities.

During tonight’s welcome reception with Novus officials and students, I had the chance to sit down with Mike Backer, President of the Missouri Colleges Fund. He told me his job is to go out and raise money from generous companies, such as Novus, so students can get the monetary help they need in their educational pursuits. But he says Novus is giving more than just money… it’s giving an educational experience.

“Tomorrow will be an opportunity for these students to see the real world… get out of the classroom, come see a laboratory, come ee how a corporation that deals in the area and what really happens.”

Backer agrees with the evaluation from Novus’ Scott Carter who believes that not only is this good for the companies involved, it’s good for agriculture and science in general.

“In Missouri, we’re really lacking in science education. So anything we can do to bring awareness to the need for more science education is a good thing… good for Novus, good for the colleges, and good for our economy.”

Backer adds that we are not just a “Wall Street” society. We’re all… urban and rural… really dependent on agriculture… whether we realize it or not.

You can hear my entire conversation with Mike here: MikeBacker1.mp3

2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set