SAVE THE DATE - You don’t want to miss this…The St. Louis AgriBusiness Club first meeting and professional development for the 2010-11 year!
WHEN: MONDAY, September 13, 2010 at the DoubleTree Hotel at Westport. 11 a.m.-Networking 11:45 a.m.-Meal and Program (RSVP to reservations@stlouisagclub.org)
PROGRAM: Dealing with the New Wave of Consumer Activism…A greater insight will be presented on the nature and motivation of high-profile groups who are bringing diverse, new pressures to bear on the contemporary food system. Learn how the animal rights movement affects your personal property rights, your right to own pets and livestock, and how it poses a threat to our U.S. economy and food supply. David Martosko will present a global perspective while Chris Chinn brings a local producer perspective.
GUEST SPEAKERS: DAVID MARTOSKO is in his tenth year with the well-known nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom. He serves as the Center's Director of Research, and has developed extensive expertise on the animal rights and environmental movements. David led CCF's launch of groundbreaking Internet websites like PetaKillsAnimals.com, ActivistCash.com, and the recently launched HumaneWatch.org. He holds degrees from Dartmouth College and the Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Martosko has been a guest on most of the major broadcast and cable news magazine shows, and his writing has been published in many of America’s biggest newspapers. He has also testified before both houses of the U.S. Congress about the unique threats posed by the modern animal rights movement. He lives in Virginia with his wife (an opera singer) and their two daughters, ages 6 and 2.
CHRIS CHINN resides on her family’s hog farm near Clarence, MO with her husband Kevin, and their two children, Rachelle and Conner. Chris manages the production and financial records for the family’s 1,500 sow farrow-to-finish hog operation, as well as the family feed mill. Chris is active in Farm Bureau and served four years on the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. In 2007, she served as Chairman for the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, and served on the Board of Directors for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Chris is currently the Shelby County Farm Bureau YF&R Chair, and serves on the Shelby County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, where she also holds the office of Secretary. Chris is a member of the Missouri Pork Association, as well as the Shelby County Pork Producers. Chris also served on EPA’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Community Advisory Committee.
NEWS RELEASE....
ST. LOUIS, June 11, 2010 -- A recent St. Louis Agribusiness Club economic study demonstrates how agriculture remains a thriving economic driver in a regional economy that has brought profound challenges to other industries. The study found that in contrast to other industries that have suffered layoffs, foreign ownership or headquarters moving out of the region, agriculture has brought more jobs and revenue while making a significant global contribution. This study highlights the important role agriculture plays in supporting a strong and stable economy in the St. Louis Metropolitan region, according to Club President Cindy Myer. “While many other sectors such as the manufacturing and auto industries are feeling the pinch of the economy and shutting down operations that have provided employment to thousands of St. Louis residents, agriculture has managed to cushion the effects of the deflating economy and continues to thrive as an industry, providing jobs to approximately 20 percent of our Metropolitan region while continuing to grow and prosper,” Myer said.