September Meeting Announcement

Another summer is coming to a close and it's time to get ready for our first meeting of the fall.

2006-07 NAMA/AgriBiz Club Kick-off Meeting
AgriBiz Club 25th Anniversary Celebration

Friday, September 15

11 a.m. — Networking and Social Noon – 2 p.m. Luncheon & Program

Location: Crown Plaza Hotel - Clayton, Grand Ballroom on lower level, 7750 Carondelet Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63105 (Garage parking with fee waived. Driving directions - attached)

$25 with advance registration - NO SHOWS WILL BE BILLED.

RSVP: E-mail GatewayNAMA@yahoo.com or call 636-449-5040 by September 5th

Meeting Sponsors to date: Missouri Dairy Association, Monsanto, and CoBank

Speaker: United States Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Johanns.

Mike Johanns was sworn in as the 28th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on January 21, 2005. Secretary Johanns' strong agricultural roots stretch back to his childhood. He was born in Iowa and grew up doing chores on his family's dairy farm. As the son of a dairy farmer, he developed a deep respect for the land and the people who work it. He still describes himself as "a farmer's son with an intense passion for agriculture." Prior to coming to USDA, Johanns was Nebraska's 38th governor. During his six years in office, Johanns was a strong advocate for rural communities and farmers and ranchers. That's why, with a new farm bill on the horizon, Johanns went to the country in 2005 to hear first-hand from producers about what was working with current farm policy and what was not. Johanns hosted 21 of 52 farm bill forums held in 48 states. Secretary Johanns is married to Stephanie Johanns, a former Lancaster County Commissioner and State Senator. The couple has two children and three grandchildren.

Also, hear from past presidents and officers of the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club as they recall some historical moments. All attending will receive a 25th Anniversary Booklet of Memoirs