Ag conference slated in December

DEXTER, Mo. -- In an effort to increase interest in the expanding world of agri-business, the University of Missouri Outreach and Extension will sponsor an entrepreneurial agriculture conference in Sikeston, Mo., Dec. 4.

The conference is designed to educate producers who might be interested in starting or expanding a value-added agricultural business.

"Value-added business, basically, is doing something or things that will allow a better return on an investment for farmers," said Van Ayers, agriculture engineering specialist. "When we look at economic development bringing industry to a community, we try to get people to focus on what is happening locally."

Ayers said the necessity of this conference is great, due to the dropping profitability on small farms.

"We're trying to show people that it's possible to take a product, add something to it and get a better return on their investment," Ayers said.

Ayers said the investment return for farmers has been alarmingly low and doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Ayers said the conference will include three tracks with 17 different sessions ranging from new agricultural technologies to obtaining funding, such as grants, for value-added businesses.

Registration is set to begin at 6:30 a.m., Dec. 4, at the Ramada Inn in Sikeston.