AgWired

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

Hello, and welcome from St. Louis! I’m here to follow Novus International‘s 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynmamic Careers” days.

This two-day event for Missouri Colleges Fund Scholars (more on that in a bit) who have received funding from Novus for their schooling will give the students a chance to see Novus’ operations in the St. Louis suburb of St. Charles, as well as touring the animal health company’s Global Research farm.

About half of the students (more to join us in the morning) were welcomed in and given a brief overview of the day to come by Novus’ team. Leading that welcome was Marco Quiroz, Novus International poultry veterinarian (or chicken doctor, as he explained to the students!). He told the group how important they are. “We need you guys in agriculture.”

Just before he addressed the group, I pulled Marco aside, and he explained they’re trying to help the students.

“We’re trying to educate them and give them some guidance on what is agriculture and where food comes from.”

Marco says he hopes the students are able to learn a bit more about companies where they might be working once these students graduate.

“My goal here is to give them an example of a scientist and [his or her] role in the industry. At Novus, we have more than 50 PhD’s and veterinarians. I just wanted to tell them the story of where I came from and why I chose agriculture.”

He says, ever since growing up as a small boy in Mexico, animal agriculture has been his passion, and he’s always wanted to help people put food on their tables. Now, he’s able to feed these students with the wisdom a career in animal agriculture with Novus has brought.

You can hear my conversation with Marco below.

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