Agriculture is already a $93-billion industry in our state as we produce a variety of commodities from beef cattle to soybean to rice. Value-added agriculture offers a huge growth opportunity, with one report finding that we could double value in this area from $35 billion to more than $70 billion in the next five years.

That’s where the Show-Me-State Food, Beverage and Forest Products Manufacturing Initiative comes in. A collaboration among colleges and universities, state agencies, commodity groups and industry in our state, this initiative aims to strategically grow value-added production across Missouri. Members will showcase the initiative’s potential, priorities and process in this engaging panel discussion.