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The Future Of Agtech Is Happening In Missouri

  • March 09, 2017

In Missouri the future of agtech is happening today.

Across the state leading agtech organizations, including the Danforth Plant Science Center, Bayer, Monsanto, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Yield Lab, DuPont, BASF, Bunge, KWS, FarmLink, Symbiotics, AgriLabs and more are leading the way with innovative technology that is transforming agriculture. Agtech research is taking place across Missouri, in innovation communities such as Cortex and 39 North, and in leading educational institutions.

The Economic and Business Engagement Center at Southeast Missouri State University is one of those institutions, and is continuing to push the envelope in agtech research with its new Agriculture Technology Virtual Incubation program. The program provides agriculture producers and innovators in the region with location-independent access to agriculture technology consultation and support.

“The central purpose of this initiative is to find new opportunities to encourage innovation and offer support to the agriculture industry, a sector that is vitally important to the regional economy,” said Engagement Center Director Crystal Jones. “The incorporation and use of technological advancements in agriculture operations are playing a larger role in the region’s agriculture industry. We want to assist small businesses, including those in the agriculture industry, with capitalizing on these opportunities by providing additional services and expertise.”

Meanwhile, Missouri’s new agtech innovation community 39 North is beginning to take root in the state.

The district covers nearly 600 acres in Missouri and includes many of the regions top agtech companies including Monsanto Co., the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park and the Helix Center Biotech Incubator. 39 North is geared toward providing the lifestyle often sought by today’s highly skilled scientific workers, with a mix of retail, residential and office space connected by walking and biking trails.

So what does all of this innovation mean?

It means Missouri’s farms and agtech industry will continue to have access to the most innovative technology in the world. After all, Missouri is the global leader in agtech and the gateway to the future of advanced farming.

But its not just technology that makes Missouri the global agtech leader, its also our world-class talent. Universities across the state offer advanced plant science degrees and St. Louis, Missouri, has the highest concentration in the world of plant science PhDs in the world.

Big data, smart farming, input optimization, precision ag, prescription ag, biologicals, breeding, green chemistry, green pharmaceuticals – it’s all growing right here, and along with the use of drones, satellites and data are transforming farming as we know it.

For more information on why Missouri could be a prime location to launch or grow your business, contact Steve Johnson, CEO of Missouri Partnership, at 314.725.2688 or via our contact form, with any questions you might have, and learn how Missouri Partnership can help with your business expansion needs.

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