Partnership Spotlight


Table of Contents



For almost 35 years, Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC) has been the leader in bringing the story of Missouri beef from pasture to plate. In 2016, MBIC joined the Saint Louis Science Center as a founding GROW partner and has continued to provide support and guidance for the gallery.

“We are passionate about ensuring the thousands of visitors to GROW have ongoing access to exhibits, educational programming and events that showcase the critical role Missouri’s 46,000 hard-working cattle farmers and ranchers play in providing a high-quality, protein-rich healthy food supply,” says Mark Russell, executive director of Missouri Beef Industry Council.

Through the years, GROW visitors have discovered more about Missouri’s three million head of cattle through educator-led activity carts, the Bi-State Ag Map exhibit and events throughout the year, including BEEF Day and SciFest: The Great Outdoors. GROW events often feature a personal appearance by a cattle farmer and cows in the Animal Corral.

“Missouri Beef Council has been a vital sustaining partner from the beginning of GROW,” says Maddie Earnest, manager of GROW. “Through representation on the GROW advisory board and regular visits with the staff, Missouri Beef helps to provide current information about beef production in the U.S. They also introduce our visitors to the farmers and ranchers who raise cattle around the state. This is so important because it teaches where our food comes from and what it takes to produce food in the United States.”

Recent MBIC support has brought new and unique opportunities for visitor engagement to the GROW gallery

NEW Animal Corral Video Monitor features real cattle farmers and ranchers from across Missouri.

NEW Beef Cattle Puzzle coming to the GROW Pavilion in Fall 2020

NEW Outdoor Cattle Photo Op installation coming to GROW in Fall 2020

MBIC has once again renewed its support of the GROW Gallery though 2021 at its board meeting in July. The renewed support will feature enhanced partnership opportunities for MBIC and GROW through events and joint marketing efforts. Janelle from Team Beef Missouri will be on hand at Science Center events to share nutrition and training tips.

MBIC will also connect with local educators at the Science Center’s Teacher Development Network Event, Ag Awareness Day, Teacher Training and Listening Sessions and more. MBIC’s educational partnership will extend to the Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science (YES) Program and the YES Community Partners. Through this new collaboration, MBIC and YES staff will create educational content for YES teens that will be shared with YES Community Partner organizations and at the free YES Summertime Science Camps for children from underserved communities.

Science Center’s Institutional Advancement team and MBIC members at July board meeting.

Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council Renews GROW Support

The Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council (MRRMC) renewed its support of the GROW Gallery. Missouri Rice is a founding GROW partner and continues to have a significant role in supporting innovative rice farming practices, as well as extensive research and ongoing farm conservation efforts that have led Missouri to become the fourth largest producer of rice in the United States.

“It is a great opportunity for us to once again partner with the Science Center and share how rice grown right in Missouri is enjoyed around the world,” says Mitch Thomas, executive director of the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council.

MRRMC funding will provide support for GROW educational programming and events with rice farmers that show visitors how rice is grown and processed. Missouri Rice also supports the GROW rice demonstration bed.

Saint Louis Science Center’s 7th Annual Golf Tournament

Kemco Aerospace Team
Kemco Aerospace Team
Benefiting Aviation & Aerospace STEAM Education Programs

Thursday, October 1, 2020
Norman K. Probstein Golf Course in Forest Park
9:30am Shotgun Start
View more information or to sponsor or play!

The tournament will feature COVID-19 social distancing and health protocols to ensure the safety of all golfers.
View the safety protocols.

Starting in 2014, the Science Center has hosted an annual golf tournament benefiting aviation and aerospace STEAM education programs. The tournament has been held each year at the Norman K. Probstein Golf Course in Forest Park and has seen more than 600 golfers and raised over half a million dollars. During the past six years, the tournament has been supported by more than 200 unique sponsors from local aerospace and electrical companies like Electrical Connection/IBEW Local 1 to the Missouri Beef Industry Council, the St. Louis Blues and the St. Louis Cardinals. KMOV-TV, Miller Coors and Heartland Coca-Cola have been the leading sponsors of the tournament’s popular raffle prizes and silent auction. “Heartland Coca-Cola is proud to support the Saint Louis Science Center. Since becoming St. Louis’ local bottler, our top priorities are giving back to the communities we serve and providing Best in Class service to our customers. There is no better way to show our appreciation to the St. Louis community than by being a business partner of the Saint Louis Science Center,” says Matt Bynum, general manager, St. Louis at Coca-Cola. The tournament also features skills competitions and on- course STEAM demonstrations with Science Center educators.

The Science Center has been honored to have Daniel Ladenberger, President of Kemco Aerospace Manufacturing, chair the tournament each year. “I’ve been honored to chair and be a part of the Saint Louis Science Center golf tournament for 7 years. The Science Center is providing critical education in science, technology, engineering and math to the community and to our future generation of employees and entrepreneurs. We view this work as an important talent pipeline for companies like Kemco Aerospace Manufacturing that rely on these skills to deliver the increasingly technology driven services our customers demand.”