Some students in Missouri are getting a look at the real world of agriculture during Novus International‘s 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days at the company’s St. Louis-suburb headquarters.

During tonight’s welcoming mixer, Mike Backer, President of the Missouri Colleges Fund … a group that helps get money and resources for students at the state’s 16 private colleges … told those gathered that they would get to see how a real agri-business operates.

“This gives a good opportunity to our students. They’ve been in the classroom, and they’re getting good book knowledge and working in labs, but that’s in a controlled environment. Here, they get to actually come out into the real world and see a live company, that has a lab, is doing research. So they get to see what the possibilities are for them after they get that diploma in their hand and they get out and look for a job.”

Backer says the financial support of a company like Novus is vital to keeping science students funded.

“Education doesn’t come cheap,” he says. Backer points out that 85 percent of the students attending Missouri’s 16 private schools covered under the Missouri Colleges Fund get some type of financial aid. “It’s a big help when companies like Novus and Monsanto help students pay for their education.”

Backer says that assistance is more important than ever as tightening budgets cause cuts to higher education.

Listen to more of my conversation with Mike below.

2010 Novus International Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers Photo Album