Agriculture is an $88B industry for Missouri. In St. Louis alone, there are more than 1,000 plant scientists – it is arguably the epicenter of world-class professionals in this field.

In this episode we spend time with Janet Wilding, Vice President of Major Projects at the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. Janet is leading the master planning of 39 North, the region’s newest and largest innovation community. On 600 acres at the western end of what some call the innovation corridor - from T-Rex in downtown through Cortex and out 64/40 –39 North is being built in the heart of AgTech activity in St. Louis.

39 North joins thriving agricultural innovation hubs in Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City and St. Joseph where "from seeds to steers", Missouri is on the cutting edge of AgTech. This means local innovators and entrepreneurs have another option among the variety of locations, communities and support organizations to choose from when deciding where to build their companies. It also enhances the existing infrastructure - roadways, bike paths and walking trails, among other things – that benefit the residents and companies that already call Creve Coeur and Olivette home.

In order to ensure that 39 North meets the needs of current tenants, facilities like The Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, Helix and Monsanto attract exceptional talent from far and wide. Janet has teamed up with Tyler Mathews, Executive Director of Venture Café to bring a monthly Venture Café gathering to the 39 North footprint from day one. Tyler is in the studio too and shares how this unique partnership supports the place making and community building on which entrepreneurship thrives.