There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.
Aldo Leopold, American ecologist, forester and environmentalist
Hello, from St. Louis, Mo., where tomorrow I’ll be following around some the best and brightest Missouri students in the fields of agriculture and science during the Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day. All of the students participating are scholarship winners from the Missouri Colleges Fund (more on that later).
Not only will these students get the chance to tour the agri-business facilities at Novus, they’ll also get to see firsthand some of the workings of a couple of other major players in the agri-business community, Monsanto and Pfizer.
The quote above could easily apply to what Scott Carter, the Market Manager for Novus’s poultry division said to those at tonight’s opening reception before tomorrow’s tour: Less than 5 percent of people know where their food comes from. Scott advised the group of students, parents and sponsors (including several college professors) not to underestimate the reach agriculture has in today’s world and stay open to the variety of opportunities that agri-business holds… even if you don’t come from a purely farming background or education. He says ag needs new ideas on how to solve the world’s challenges of feeding and fueling the ever-growing masses, and those from outside of traditional agriculture can bring in those new ideas.
During the mingling, professors, students and parents got the chance to buttonhole some of the Novus officials and ask “what kind and level of degree is needed in today’s agri-business environment?” The answer is “depends.” It depends on what the student wants to do. It depends on where the student wants to go. But, it also depends on how curious that student really is. What’s really needed is a passion for agriculture.
It should be a fascinating day. I’ll try to update you as I can! In the meantime, take a listen to my conversation with Novus’ Scott Carter and his company’s involvement with the Missouri Colleges Fund and the Undergraduate Networking Day: ScottCarter1.mp3
2009 Novus International Undergraduate Networking Day Photo Set
The NAMA Connection Point trade show is over for 2009 and ZimmComm had a great time.
Celebrating in wild abandon at this evening’s student NAMA awards is Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products. He “de-throned” two time Hard Ass award winner, Mike Gustafson.
Gator NAMA showed today that it’s not just the football and basketball teams that can win multiple national championships. Today the University of Florida student NAMA chapter won the marketing competition for the second year in a row!
Highlights of this morning’s general session at NAMA 2009 included the presentation of the annual Agribusiness Leader and Marketer of the Year awards.
Jon Anderson, President of 
Ethanol Use on Food Prices and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions,”
Thanks to Denny Eilers for providing me with photos of our Best of NAMA award winners for each category.
The next ones are Best of Show, Public Relations
And then we have Best of Show, Specialty
During our Connection Point session tonight the finalists for the NAMA Student Marketing Competition were announced and here they are.
On of our Best of NAMA Award emcees this evening was Sally Behringer,