Building Our American Community Grants Awarded

Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn announced that 22 youth groups from across Missouri were awarded grants from the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s 2023 Building Our American Communities grant program. Eleven local chapters of the National FFA Organization and 11 Missouri 4-H clubs statewide have been awarded funds for their community service projects this year.

“Missouri FFA and 4-H programs continue to enrich and cultivate a strong passion for agriculture and service in our youth,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “These groups demonstrate leadership, generosity, and personal growth through their projects. Their hard work inspires me and does not go unnoticed. I applaud each FFA chapter for ‘Living to Serve’ and each 4-H club for devoting their ‘hands to larger service’ every day.”

Each of the 2023 awardees will receive $500 toward their projects, which may include upgrades or additions to existing facilities, grounds or buildings, such as fairgrounds, parks or community centers used by local organizations. The 2023 grant recipients are:

FFA Chapters

• Ste. Genevieve FFA, Ste. Genevieve (Ste. Genevieve County)
• Fredericktown FFA, Fredericktown (Madison County)
• Chilhowee FFA, Chilhowee (Johnson County)
• Tipton FFA, Tipton (Moniteau County)
• West Platte FFA, Weston (Platte County)
• Ashland FFA, Ashland (Boone County)
• Centralia FFA, Centralia (Boone County)
• Steelville FFA, Steelville (Crawford County)
• Cuba FFA, Cuba (Crawford County)
• Neosho FFA, Neosho (Newton County)
• Carthage FFA, Carthage (Jasper County)

4-H Clubs

• Country Kids 4H Horse Club, Lebanon (Laclede County)
• Hickory Grove 4H Club, Pleasant Hill (Cass County)
• Nobles 4H Club, Tuscumbia (Miller County)
• Pocahontas 4H Club, Jackson (Cape Girardeau County)
• Iron County 4H Arcadia Valley, Arcadia (Iron County)
• Home Pioneer 4H Club, Atlanta (Macon County)
• Azen Jolly Timers 4H Club, Downing (Scotland County)
• Final Drive 4H Club, Cuba (Crawford County)
• Blue Ribbon Kids 4H Club, Leasburg (Crawford County)
• Guys & Gals 4H Club, Richmond (Ray County)
• Dale Patton 4H Club, Richmond (Ray County)

The Building Our American Communities program has been supporting youth projects since the 197os. Each year, youth organizations throughout Missouri submit proposals for consideration for the grants that support specific projects within each community. The grants are funded through Missouri’s Agriculture Development Fund under an agreement with the USDA.

4-H clubs and FFA chapters awarded grants this year must complete their projects no later than Aug. 1, 2023.

For more information on the department and its programs, visit agriculture.mo.gov.

Ag Innovation Forum Registration

Registration is open for the 2023 Ag Innovation Forum hosted by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.

The event is set for Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Three nationally prominent featured speakers addressing key issues facing agriculture, technology, and innovation. Speakers will address the innovation ecosystem, cutting-edge technologies, and programs to foster innovation.

Speakers include:

* Dr. Bill Wilson, Distinguished Professor, Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State University

* Carter Williams, president and managing partner of the iSelect Fund 

* Steve Welker, operating partner, Lewis & Clark Agrifood

Panel discussions will address --

* Climate-smart initiatives. Presenters will include those who have received grants from USDA’s pilot program. Industry, academic and NGO views are invited.

* Successful new-to-market concepts from entrepreneurs that are beginning to gain traction. Presenters will encompass plant and animal agricultural and feature new platforms to enhance productivity.

* Food System Transparency and Information Systems. Presenters from various parts of the food/agriculture systems will share their work to enhance transparency to meet consumer expectations.

Learn more and register here.

USDA Dollars for Pest Protection

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $70 million to support 350 projects under the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 program as part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the country’s infrastructure for pest detection, surveillance, and mitigation, as well as protect the U.S. nursery system.

Universities, states, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and Tribal organizations will carry out selected projects.

“These funds provide state governments, universities, tribal organizations and other essential cooperators across the nation the tools they need to protect U.S. agriculture, natural resources, and food security,” said Jenny Moffitt, Under Secretary for USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “These projects also advance science in the fight against invasive plant pests and diseases and expand export opportunities for American growers.”

Of the 350 projects funded in fiscal year 2023, 28 projects are funded through the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN). The NCPN helps our country maintain the infrastructure necessary to ensure that pathogen, disease, and pest-free-certified planting materials are available for U.S. specialty crop producers who grow citrus, other fruit trees, berries, grapes, hops, roses, and sweet potatoes.

USDA will use $13.5 million to rapidly respond to invasive pest emergencies should a pest of high economic consequence be found in the United States. In the past, USDA has used these funds to rapidly respond to pests such as the northern giant hornet, spotted lanternfly, coconut rhinoceros beetles, invasive fruit flies, and the box tree moth.

Learn more about the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website: www.aphis.usda.gov/ppa-projects.