Missouri Grown | Celebrating the Agriculture Industry

LIVE FROM THE FAIR – OUTdrive Episode 68 with Davin Althoff

Though many Missourians are surrounded by agriculture everyday, the State Fair is the only time of year that goods from the whole state are together in one place. From pears to pork, hundreds of fresh and nutritious products are grown by the men and women of Missouri agriculture. As the Division Director of Business Development at the Department of Agriculture, Davin Althoff and his team take advantage of the 11-day fair to promote state vendors and support their businesses.

Davin grew up on a diversified farming operation that founded his passion for agriculture and set his career path in motion at an early age. Before entering the Division Director role at the Department of Agriculture in 2017, he held positions at the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Beef Industry Council. Davin also owns and operates his family farm in California, Missouri with his wife and four children.

Tune in to this episode of OUTdrive in our “Live From the Fair” series as I sit down with Davin and discuss his team’s responsibilities during Missouri’s largest agricultural expo. Whether it’s supporting state vendors in the Missouri Grown Market or educating the youth through AgVenture, the Department of Agriculture’s presence goes beyond the walls of the Agricultural Building at the fair.

SHOW NOTES

1:15 – Details behind the Department of Agriculture’s events in the Agricultural Building on the fairgrounds, from the Missouri Grown program to AgVenture education.
7:00 – Expanding the Missouri Grown markets at the fair and the inclusion of new members through sampling.
10:00 – How Davin’s upbringing helped determine his career path into agriculture.
11:45 – A look into Davin’s typical day at the fair and the many hats he gets to wear as division director, farmer, and father.
14:40 – Davin’s highlights from the fair, from the Bicentennial to his daughter winning grand reserve champion.
18:00 – Marketing insights from the 2021 State Fair and the power of storytelling.
21:00 – Davin’s advice for those who are interested in going to the fair, but have never been before.
24:40 – Davin’s thoughts looking ahead to the 2022 fair and growing the vendor base of the Missouri Grown market
27:00 – Davin and the team’s next project following the conclusion of the fair, including details on the 2021 holiday boxes.