Two selected for the Missouri Agribusiness Academy

JEFFERSON CITY - Two Southeast Missouri residents are among 30 high school sophomores recently selected to participate in the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Missouri Agribusiness Academy.

Connor Nordwald of East Prairie and Emily Mouser of Dexter along with the other students selected will spend the first week of June in St. Louis learning about many of the unique opportunities available in agriculture.

"Our youth leaders continue to advance the state's number one industry, agriculture," said Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. "These young men and women are the up-and-coming agriculturalists who will soon be the leaders we rely on to make decisions and tell the story of agriculture. Providing them the opportunity to learn from current leaders in the industry is an invaluable experience."

During the 2015 Missouri Agribusiness Academy, the students will visit the University of Missouri in Columbia, Monsanto, Brighton Ad Agency, Mid America Biofuels in Mexico, Stanton Brothers Egg Farm in Centralia, Whole Foods, KWS Gateway Research Center, Mom's Originals, Melvin Price Locks and Dam and Thies Farm/Greenhouse. The students will end their week with a graduation ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

Since 1988, the Missouri Agribusiness Academy has awarded more than 810 academy memberships through a competitive application and interview process for high school sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related college degrees and careers.

To be eligible for the Agribusiness Academy, students must come from a farming family or be an active member of the National FFA Organization or 4-H.

Nordwald is a sophomore at East Prairie R-II School, where he is an active member of the FFA Chapter. His FFA advisor is Nick Nordwald, and he is the son of Nick and Shaelynn Nordwald.

A sophomore at Dexter High School, Mouser is an active member of the FFA Chapter. Her FFA advisor is Gary Wyman, and she is the daughter of Corey and Tara Mouser.