Agriculture leaders from across Missouri received high honors in front of hundreds of producers and agribusiness leaders during the 47th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture.The event was hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet, Gov. Nixon and Missouri’s Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce recognized recipients of the Missouri Agriculture Awards.“Many of agriculture’s most extraordinary producers call Missouri home,” said Director Fordyce. “From those who take strides to ensure our land is in good shape for the next generation to those who mold the minds of our young men and women, the Missouri Agriculture Award recipients are improving and enhancing our industry for the future.”The conference took place Dec. 14-16, at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach. This year’s theme was ‘One Agriculture.’The Missouri Agriculture Awards recognized producers for their commitment to innovation, supporting their communities, committing to good land stewardship and being a great example for future generations.Local 2016 Missouri Agriculture Award recipients include Mindy Ward, Marthasville, Missouri Ag Communicator; and Farm to You Market, Washington, Missouri Grown Advocate.The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Missouri Agriculture Awards. Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group or individual on behalf of a Missouri farmer.The conference concluded with a special performance by country music band LOCASH. The three-day event included nationally-recognized speakers, in-depth discussions about current issues and an agriculture trade show.Special events during the conference included the Best of Missouri Grown reception and the evening benefit auction supporting programs for future agriculture leaders.For more information on the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit the department online at agriculture.mo.gov.47th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture