This month's issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine takes an extensive look at an industry sector that has long been a vital part of St. Louis' regional economy; namely, agriculture, beginning with a cover story
featuring Monsanto. Lead by chairman,
president and CEO Hugh Grant, Creve Coeur-headquartered Monsanto has transformed itself over the years from a chemical manufacturer to a global leader in diversified plant and life sciences.
As part of the focus on agriculture, this month's issue also features St. Louis-based Solae, a global leader in developing soy
protein used in thousands of food, meat, and nutritional products. Plus, this issue highlights the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at University of Missouri-Columbia, a starting point for many of the policy decisions that presidential administrations and Congress make each year.
Speaking of global leaders in agriculture, the St. Louis-based World Agriculture Forum is well along in planning for its 2009 World Congress to be held here next May, focusing on global agriculture and food supply challenges. The World Agriculture Forum is also planning for its first African meeting, set to take place next fall in Uganda.
Agriculture, along with the broader economy as a whole, is working to come to terms with issues surrounding sustainability and the applications of technology and scientific innovations that are needed for a sustainable environment. Sustainability is taking a front and center role in the region with
St. Louis as one of seven regions from across the country participating in an initiative called the Climate Prosperity Project, funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
Agriculture is playing an important role in the race to find alternative forms of energy. Linda Jarrett looks at what biofuel entities in the region are working on. This kind of research and development requires scientists interested in agriculture. Jim Baer examines initiatives across the region designed to engage teachers in effort to focus on the importance of agricultural education.
Speaking of science, the Saint Louis Science Center was recently named one of the ten best science centers in the nation. Apropos of this national ranking, the Saint Louis Science Center also successfully competed on behalf of the St. Louis region with its counterparts in New York, San Francisco, and Boston to host SciFest Ô08 in St. Louis October 9th to 13th. SciFest '08 is the U.S. version of the highly successful Cheltenham Science Festival held for a number of years in England. St. Louis Commerce Magazine is pleased to be a media sponsor of the event.
This month's "Day in the Work Life"
features Sharon Owen, general manager
of Granite City Steel Works. And finally,
this month's "Spotlight" profiles Rodney Kinzinger, at Deloitte who recently returned to St. Louis as managing partner. Appropriately enough for this month's ag focus, Rodney grew up on a sizeable farm in Illinois.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine. As always, please send your comments and suggestions to us at dfleming@stlrcga.org.
RICHARD C.D. FLEMING
Publisher
St. Louis Commerce Magazine
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