The Missouri State Fair is making plans for a traditional fair this year. Last year, the fair was a livestock-only showcase. State fair staff and superintendents are working on a compete lineup of livestock shows, along with bringing back concerts, motorsports events, rodeo and bull riding, vendors, and the carnival midway.

Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair director, says his group is planning “and with hope that the traditional fair you have come to know and love will take place this August.”

The Missouri State Fair, scheduled for Aug. 12 to 22 in Sedalia, is working with the Missouri Bicentennial Alliance and Commission to celebrate the state’s 200th birthday this year. Bicentennial exhibits, activities, entertainment and more will be featured across the grounds throughout the 11 days of the fair. A special Bicentennial page has been created on the fair’s website.

Fair officials will continue to work with health officials to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic status and make modifications as necessary in preparation for the August fair. Wolf says any protocols will be set in place for the safety of guests and staff.

John Deere Reman expands

John Deere & Co., a world leader in agriculture and construction, is expanding operations in Springfield, Mo. The remanufacturing division of Deere, John Deere Reman, will add drive-train and hydraulic remanufacturing operations to its existing facilities, creating 130 new jobs.

John Deere Reman remanufactures engines, fuel and electronics components for agriculture and construction customers around the world. The Springfield region is home to multiple remanufacturing companies and has seen significant growth from this industry over the past 10 years.

John Deere Reman looks to create and access a workforce with the skills needed for the company by investing in advancements such as Ozark Technical Community College’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

Benson Hill works with MoSoy

The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and St. Louis-based Benson Hill are offering Soyleic high-oleic soybeans and oil to farmers. The two announced an updated license agreement in May.

High-oleic technology gives soybean oil greater potential for uses such as baking, frying and sautéing in both commercial and home kitchens. The technology was developed by soybean breeders through soy checkoff-supported research at the University of Missouri.

Test plots demonstrating the potential of high-oleic soybeans have been planted across the Midwest since 2017, and the trait technology continues to be part of soybean research in Missouri.

Farmers interested in buying soybean varieties with the high-oleic trait technology should look for patent numbers 9,035,129; 9,198,365; 10,329,576; or 10,087,454 and the Soyleic logo. Proceeds from the sale of soybean varieties developed through the research program are reinvested into soybean research and growing demand and preference for Missouri farmers’ soybeans, and for soy around the world.

Drive to Feed Kids provides 1 million meals

The results are in from the 2020 Drive to Feed Kids, and while COVID-19 changed how the program operated, it still saw more than 1 million meals provided to families in need through Feeding Missouri, the association of Missouri’s six regional food banks.

A matching gift challenge issued by the Missouri Soybean Association via social media led to individual donors, along with the employees of FCS Financial, generously donating the money to pay for 50,000 meals.

Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers hosted its first meal-packing activity. 4-H members throughout the state raised resources for 297,132 meals for the Feeding Missouri network. Missouri FFA members across the state amplified $20,750 in mini-grants to an impact exceeding 400,000 meals.

The Pork Partnership furnished 69,670 pounds of ground pork, equating to 318,000 servings of much-needed, high-quality protein to the Feeding Missouri food banks.