Mississippi Agriculture Consortium

About The Mississippi Agriculture Consortium

“A networking event for students and agriculture industry leaders”

Students can benefit from attending this networking event by gaining a better understanding of the industry and the different career paths available to them, such as research and development, marketing and sales, logistics-supply chain management, and agriculture finance. The keynote speaker Margaret Oldham, VP of Innovation with AgLaunch, LLC will deliver insight into the latest trends and technologies. She will also offer advice on interviewing techniques, career management, leadership, and presentation skills.

In addition to learning about the agriculture industry, this event will help students develop soft skills, such as communication and interpersonal skills, which are important for any career. By interacting with industry leaders, students can improve their ability to communicate effectively and build professional relationships. Moreover, students can benefit from mentorship opportunities with experienced professionals who can offer guidance on their career paths and offer advice on how to navigate the industry.

Overall, this networking event for students and agriculture industry leaders can be an excellent way for students to gain valuable insights, make connections, and prepare for a successful career in the agriculture industry.

Keynote Speaker

Margaret W. Oldham

Margaret Oldham has a passion for agriculture that began on a family dairy farm in Mississippi. From these roots she forged a career in agriculture with two major Ag chem companies, as a partner in an ag experience-sharing marketing company and as an independent consultant for agricultural clients like Indigo Ag. Margaret is now the Vice President of Innovation for AgLaunch and helps accelerate success for ag startup founders through entrepreneurial programs, mentoring and farm trials. Margaret is an industry veteran with a proven track record in agricultural sales, marketing, training & development, leadership and management roles.

Throughout her career Margaret has successfully consulted with established clients like Elanco Animal Health, FMC, Syngenta, Bayer Animal Health and Deere & Co and startups like Continuum Ag, Rantizo and Grain Weevil. She has worked with clients to implement marketing strategies in animal health, crop protection and specialty crop segments. She is known as an innovative, customer-focused problem solver with the ability to take an idea from origination to proven business results.

Margaret currently serves on the Agricenter International Board of Directors and is active in the Mid-South National Agri-Marketing Association chapter. She considers herself blessed to use her education, experience and expertise to spread the word about the importance of the U.S. agriculture industry and help improve this industry that feeds, fuels and clothes the world.

Speed Networking Event

This event is designed to provide information about your company/organization and potential career opportunities in a rapid and highly efficient environment. It is an excellent way to promote and highlight companies to agriculture-focused students in 5-10 minutes. Professional company representatives can provide information such as the company history, organizational structure, future company goals, and company divisions such as R&D, sales and marketing, big data, etc. Also, students can share their focus-area and future career path.

Event includes:

• Each company/organization will have a work area with a table (network station).
• Students will be grouped based on discipline or career interest.
• Event moderator will signal to participants that they can begin speaking.
• Students will be signaled to rotate to the next network station (round robin style).
• Network stations can remain open after the event if so desired for further discussion.

Note: Resumes, business cards, and company brochures may be exchanged during this event.