Jack Runyan traveled to Turkey as
an agriculture consultant to advise and assist AgLand Investment
Company in the Pre-feasibility study for an Agro-Park on a large
farm in Southeast Anatolia (Turkey). The farm was located on the
Syrian border and the results of the pre-feasibility study of the
park determined that the agro-park concept can range from a focus on
food and agriculture technology innovation such as biotechnology to
what would be an industrial park model, often located near a
research university.
Within this range of activities
would be the establishment of an institution that would focus on
innovation and entrepreneurship in the food and agricultural sector.
The pre-feasibility report was
presented to WBDP on 21 October, 2007
The sponsor was the WBDP (World
Bank Development Projects.) The client was the EU.
**********************
RunAgra Company was awarded a
contract from the United States Trade & Development
Agency (USTDA) to do a complete and detailed Business Plan (BP)
on the ALTINOVA TIGEM FARM in Turkey. ALTINOVA Farm was ranked
number one out of the 21 TIGEM Farms analyzed. (TIGEM Farms are
State owned Farms in Turkey similar to the US Agriculture Extension
System). The BP Contract commenced in August, 2003 and was
completed in February 2005.
**********************
RunAgra sells 100 head of
commercial purebred pregnant Angus heifers to an agribusiness
conglomerate in Turkey. This is the first commercial sale of
American Beef Cattle to Turkey.
**********************
RunAgra successfully completed a
Feasibility Study and Technical Assistance Program (FS-TAP) in
Turkey under the auspices of the USDA Emerging Markets Program to
establish the North American Model of Beef Production (NAM).
The RunAgra NAM Plan was
initiated in February 2000 with assistance from the USDA Quality
Samples Program which resulted in 30 head of Registered Purebred
American Breeding cattle arriving in Turkey in September 2000.
**********************
RunAgra Co. received
a contract to perform an analysis for the largest agribusiness
company in Turkey, Pinar Food Group, on the state-owned farms (TIGEM).
Eight TIGEM farms were analyzed on the basis of having enough
forages and grain and grain by-products to support 5,000 head of
American beef cattle annually for eight years for a total of 40,000
head which would be labeled the “Turkish National Beef Herd.” The
project parameters called for a five-year budget, monthly cash flow
including annual profit and loss statements.
***********************
Participated in “Asia 97” trade
show in Bangkok, Thailand with the Missouri Department of
Agriculture to market and set up distributors of Lacto-Cill LH, a
probiotic for livestock and poultry.
President,
PrimeAg Inc.
PrimeAg Inc.
was developed to study the feasibility of the sale of agricultural
products and systems to the CIS (the former Soviet Union) and
Eastern Europe. The company completed three seasons of applied
research in beef production in Kazakstan for the Kuduksai
Cooperative-PrimeAg Inc. The project involved instruction of Kazak
personnel on modern production and management practices including
nutrition, animal health, housing and facilities use of modern
handling equipment and genetic selection.
Vice President for
Agribusiness and International Departments
Commerce of Greater
Kansas CityChamb
Directed the team that established
the Kansas City World Trade Center in 1990.
Established a committee of high
level executives and headed the fundraising drive which attracted
the World Food and Agricultural Exposition to Kansas
City in 1985. During the exposition, 1,000 foreign buyers from 80
countries spent nearly $250 million purchasing U. S.
agricultural products.
Organized the fundraising campaign
for the Agricultural Hall of Fame's new facilities
project. The drive netted the Ag Hall about $250,000.
Directed the Annual National
Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention through the
Chamber's FFA Advisory Council and 16 subcommittees. The committees
primary responsibility was fund-raising from local businesses.
Approximately $100,000-150,000 was raised every year to assist the
delegates with the convention's project
expenses.
Lobbied at the state and national
levels on behalf of agribusiness and international trade interests.
Authored a position paper on U. S.
farm policy for the U. S. Chamber of Commerce.
Served on the District
Export Council, an appointment conferred by the U. S.
Secretary of Commerce. This council monitors international trade
policy, trade regulations, and tariffs.
Spearheaded the Chamber's
membership Department in the recruitment area to sell the chamber's
program of work to Agribusiness and International companies in the
Greater Kansas City area.
Directed team that established the
Kansas
City World Trade Center in 1990.
Established a committee of high level executives and headed the
fundraising drive that attracted the
World
Food and Agricultural Exposition to Kansas City in 1985. During the exposition, 1,000 foreign buyers from 80
countries spent nearly $250 million purchasing U.S. agricultural
products.
Directed the annual
National Future Farmers of America (FFA)
Convention through the Chamber’s
FFA Advisory Council. Served on the
District Export Council,
an appointment conferred by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
President, Runyan International
Inc., Kansas City
Conducted business selling
livestock and Ag products throughout Asia, the Middle East and
Western Europe. Shipped over 6,000 head of dairy and beef breeding
cattle to the Republic of South Korea. Negotiated prices, handled
all other financial arrangements and shipped goods.
Director of Agriculture, State
of Missouri
Established the state’s
first international marketing department, expanded trade office in
Germany and established a trade office in Singapore for the agri/food
industry. Delegate to White House Seminar of Foreign Trade/Exports.
Elected President, Mid-America International Agri-Trade
Council (MIATCO).
Named “Man of the
Year” in Service to Missouri Agriculture by Progressive
Farmer magazine.
Owner and Operator of J.L.
Runyan & Sons
Managed a general family
farming operation of 2,500 acres including crops, livestock and
general ranch management. Purchased all grains and feed as well as
equipment and machinery. The operation involved livestock grazing,
commercial back-grounding, feedlot operations and government farm
programs.
Elected the first
president of the Missouri Livestock Feeders Association and
served on the Board of the National Cattlemen’s Association’s
Beef Export Committee.
Memberships and
Affiliations
Advisor/Member, State of
Missouri’s combined Agriculture and International Trade Team;
Governor’s Advisory Council for Agriculture; Board of Directors,
Foreign Trade Zone of Greater Kansas City; Board of Directors,
Greater Kansas City International Visitor’s Council; International
Trade Club of Kansas City; Agricultural Hall of Fame and National
Center; Missouri Night Committee, American Royal Livestock and Horse
Show; Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Education
B.S. Agriculture, Major in Animal Husbandry, Minor in Animal
Nutrition and Business/Economics, Kansas State University.
