Like so many others in this state, Missouri farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses are doing what they can to help the victims of the tornado in Joplin.
In less than 24 hours yesterday, the Missouri Department of Agriculture collected more than $19,000 in donations for relief efforts.
Staff members from the Missouri Department of Agriculture spearheaded a donation drive for the Food Bank of Central Missouri that included a challenge to other state agencies, community organizations and agriculture industry groups.
“Our hearts and prayers certainly go out to all of those affected by the tornadoes and severe storms in Joplin and to those trying to get back on their feet following flooding throughout the southern portion of our state,” said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. “The response to these events is just one example of the power of Missourians helping Missourians in times of crisis. This is certainly a case when the worst of Mother Nature brings out the best of human nature.”
Donations included a $10,000 commitment from Monsanto and $1,000 from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Renewable Fuels Association and FCS Financial. Missouri Department of Agriculture employees came together to donate more than $1,500 and the Missouri Egg Council donated $500.
The beef cattle industry, as part of the Missouri Farmers Care coalition, has stepped up to provide food for the volunteers. “They did not have any way to feed those folks, and we learned about this need and so in coordination with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association we’re getting that job done,” said John Kleiboeker, executive director of the Missouri Beef Industry Council.
John says that the area around Joplin in the southwest part of Missouri is one of the state’s largest beef cattle producing areas, but he has not heard of any major losses to agriculture there. “It sounds like the city of Joplin and its surrounding community is what was hit the hardest,” he said.
Listen to this week’s Missouri Beef Checkoff Chat where John talks about how people can get involved to help: Missouri Beef Checkoff Chat
Money is always what is needed most in these disaster situations and the Red Cross has made it very easy to donate. Just visit www.redcross.org or, even easier, text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Vice President of Corporate Accounts for Alltech is Aidan Connolly. He is just one of the team that I’ve had the pleasure to get to become friends with and always enjoy seeing. We joke about how often we run into each other at events around the country. This year Aidan moderated the Alltech Symposium Game Changers Debate once again. I spoke with him afterward. 
The 2011 Alltech International Animal Health & Nutrition Symposium has concluded and with a resounding message to dream the impossible dream. Dr. Pearse Lyons took the stage to summarize what we learned and to provide some takeaway ideas that included five things that should be on your business survival action list.
As Dr. Lyons encouraged everyone to dream the impossible dream he was joined on stage by Dr. Everett McCorvey and University of Kentucky students opera singers. They launched into a wonderful rendition of the famous song.
I thought Declan Coyle’s presentation here at the Alltech Symposium titled, “Get on the Green Platform: The Life Changing Game Changer” would be about recycling and saving the environment. Wrong. He talked about different outlooks on life. He used as examples the green platform or the red platform. Green is good and positive, red is bad and negative. So he then went through a variety of examples to show how you can change your whole outlook on life by re-thinking on the “green platform” instead of the red. It’s not easy, especially when you’re facing a really challenging situation in your personal or work life. Hopefully we’ll all leave here making sure we try to think green!
The “younger” Dr. Lyons took the stage today at the Alltech International Symposium. He is Dr. Mark Lyons, director of North America for Alltech. He talked about “Game Changers: The 7th Step for the Health and Vitality of Mankind,” with a focus on future generations
The closing general session of the Alltech Symposium features a number of speakers. First up is Dr. Karl Dawson, 
“Friends have gathered to pay their last respects and tribute to one of the greatest ladies I’ve ever known. The sun is shining, because heaven’s newest angel smiles upon so many today,” wrote Lindsay’s former husband and business partner Andy Vance on his Facebook. Read his 
Discussion dinners on a variety of topics were held last night at the Alltech International Symposium. I attended the Communications dinner which had a focus on social media. Pictured are our discussion moderators (l-r) Damien O’Reilly and Billy Frey. I will be sharing an interview with Billy in next week’s ZimmCast.