Latest news with #DonaldDanforthPlantScienceCenter
Business Journals
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
How the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is helping African farmers — and why that's good for St. Louis
Africa is the world's fastest-growing continent by population. By 2050, the continent is projected to hold a quarter of the world's people, with urban populations booming and consumer markets expanding at record speed. For St. Louis business leaders, this is more than a righteous humanitarian issue — it's a generational opportunity. But Africa's potential hinges on one essential factor: feeding its people sustainably. Sub-Saharan Africa's agricultural productivity remains stubbornly low. Smallholder farmers — who make up over half the labor force — often struggle to escape poverty, and expanded food production frequently comes at the expense of natural habitats. A new frontier for markets and partnerships For companies in St. Louis and beyond, Africa's transformation represents a frontier for business, trade and investment. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya are already among the fastest-growing economies, with expanding consumer markets and demand for agricultural innovations. Yet hunger, poverty and fragile food systems remain serious barriers. Improving Africa's agricultural productivity will help farmers and their communities, while also ensuring these markets can thrive. Boosting farm productivity frees up labor to build new industries, creates jobs in cities and drives economic growth across sectors. expand The Danforth Center is the largest nonprofit research institute for plant science in the world. The center's work focuses on solutions for global food security and environmental sustainability. A St. Louis bridge to Africa's future At the heart of these efforts is the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and its BRDG (pronounced 'bridge') Park campus in Creve Coeur. As the biggest independent plant science research institute in the world, the Danforth Center is helping African farmers grow more with less — while opening doors to trade and collaboration that benefit St. Louis' own economy (see sidebar). In Nigeria and Ghana , the Center's work on improved cowpea is transforming health and boosting incomes. , the Center's work on improved cowpea is transforming health and boosting incomes. In East Africa , virus-resistant cassava developed by Danforth scientists is poised to protect food security for over 500 million people. , virus-resistant cassava developed by Danforth scientists is poised to protect food security for over 500 million people. In the Horn of Africa, improved semi-dwarf teff can ease labor demands and boost yields. These breakthroughs aren't charity — they're investments in stability and opportunity. Stronger African farms mean stronger local markets, reduced need for emergency aid and a new wave of economic partners for St. Louis companies. Solutions seeking venture philanthropists For the Danforth Center, the mission is clear: harness plant science to solve these problems and ensure that Africa's rising population can thrive. But recent shifts in federal funding have put these vital projects at risk. Earlier this month, as reported in the St. Louis Business Journal, the Danforth Center detailed cuts and delays to federal research grant funding — including money for the virus-resistant cassava program in Africa, among others. With federal dollars under threat, the Danforth Center needs local philanthropic and corporate support through its Future Forward campaign now more than ever. Why it matters for St. Louis businesses As Africa's consumer markets grow and as its agricultural sector modernizes, opportunities for St. Louis businesses — from biotechnology to infrastructure — will multiply. By supporting the Danforth Center's work, St. Louis business leaders can help unlock Africa's economic promise while strengthening their own region's role as a global agtech leader. expand Visitors from the Rwandan cabinet with Danforth Center scientists. 70% of the Rwandan workforce is agricultural. A new seed entrepreneur program there is creating private-sector opportunities — and helping lift rural communities out of poverty. © Donald Danforth Plant Science Center | Kristina DeYong SIDEBAR: Rwanda visit highlights Africa's promise — and St. Louis's role The promise of Africa's agricultural and economic potential came into sharp focus last year when the cabinet-level Honorable Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, visited St. Louis, as reported in the St. Louis Business Journal. For the Danforth Center, this wasn't a new relationship. Since 2019, the center has led a project in Rwanda to deploy virus-resistant cassava — an essential food for hundreds of thousands of Rwandan farm households. In a country where agriculture employs 70% of the workforce and makes up 35% of GDP, this work is transforming rural livelihoods. The Danforth Center is also helping to create a sustainable cassava seed system by training and supporting 250 Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs will multiply, steward and sell improved cassava seed — creating new private-sector opportunities and helping to lift rural communities out of poverty. For St. Louis business leaders, it's a powerful example of how investing in Africa's growth can create shared prosperity across continents. To learn more about how the Future Forward campaign can sustain this impact and how your company can get involved, visit The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute focused on plant science solutions for global food security and environmental sustainability. Located in St. Louis, the Center is home to world-class scientists and a growing network of agtech innovation.
Business Journals
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
PNC executives on what St. Louis must get right to advance its economy and ensure business success
As Michael Scully retires from his PNC regional president role and Matt Corcoran takes the helm of PNC's business in St. Louis, these distinguished executives share their insights on advancing St. Louis' economic and business success. Q: How long have you called St. Louis home? Michael Scully: I moved here in 1983 to begin my banking career and have never thought about living elsewhere. The civic-minded business community, quality of life and many cultural amenities make St. Louis such an amazing place to live and work. Matt Corcoran: I am a St. Louisan, born and raised. My first job, as a high school student, was as a bagger for Schnucks. I often joke that if you cut me, you might find Provel cheese. In all sincerity, though, this city has shaped and inspired me. St. Louis is home. It has been a fantastic place to build my career and family, and I'm excited to lead PNC's local business during what I believe will be a transformational period for this region. Q: When we talk about advancing St. Louis, what does success look like to you? Scully: St. Louis is unique as we have a consistent playbook with the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, which outlines pathways for realizing our region's great potential — from growing quality jobs to rejuvenating the urban core. Advancing St. Louis will entail delivering on these measurable actions. Corcoran: What gives me confidence in our collective ability to advance St. Louis is the resolve of local business leaders who are committed to the success and sustainability of this region. St. Louis has benefited from visionary founders who not only built major companies but also cultivated future generations of leaders. In sports terms, I liken this to the Bill Walsh coaching tree, which captures the rich legacy a single individual can impart through the development of successors and proteges. I see this same dynamic at play in St. Louis business circles. Q: Reflecting on PNC's 15 years in Greater St. Louis, what would you consider to be the business community's most significant wins? Scully: The tremendous success of several homegrown industries, including health care, plant science, biotech and advanced manufacturing, has created meaningful impact for our region while elevating St. Louis' profile globally. The wins our region is enjoying today, including cutting-edge output from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and Washington University's burgeoning neuroscience research center, are only possible because of the robust research and innovation ecosystem that has been established here, as well as decades of disciplined planning and collaboration. Corcoran: As a sports enthusiast and board member of the St. Louis Sports Commission, I always point to the significant economic activity that our sports organizations and major venues generate for local businesses. The growing popularity of the St. Louis Blues, the emergence of St. Louis City SC and Energizer Park, the transformation of World Wide Technology Raceway and the extensive renovations at Enterprise Center have all contributed to this impact. The sports scene also translates to marketability for St. Louis as a great place to live. Q: What must St. Louis get right to advance its economy and success in business? Corcoran: As a naturally competitive person, I often compare St. Louis to comparably sized MSAs where PNC operates. One of the key differences is the rate of population growth. The good news is that our region is seeing meaningful gains, with the U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2024 Population Estimates reporting the largest increase since 2010. Additionally, for the first time in 35 years, St. Louis ranked as one of the top five U.S. markets for job growth. While these statistics provide reason for optimism, it is incumbent on businesses to sustain this momentum by growing jobs and recruiting talent. And as a financial institution, PNC has a tremendous opportunity to enable this growth. Scully: There are several efforts underway to encourage population growth and enhance livability. While I may be retiring from banking, I intend to continue contributing to these civic initiatives. One of these projects is Great Rivers Greenway's work to develop the Brickline Greenway, which will bring St. Louis' neighborhoods and communities together in new and wonderful ways. Q: If you're recruiting a young banker from outside the St. Louis metro, what are the key selling points you position for the metro? Scully: The top attributes I'd position would be the enviable cost of living, world-class culture, great restaurants and exceptional universities that attract individuals who are smarter than smart. Corcoran: I'd add the many networking opportunities available to young professionals, such as the St. Louis Sports Commission's Young Professionals Group and the Regional Business Council's Young Professionals Network — and our exciting sports community, of course!
