By Blake Jackson
Saluna, a St. Louis-based agricultural technology startup, is expanding to Southeast Missouri State University’s Sikeston campus to launch its first field research site. The company focuses on advancing hemp as a sustainable and competitive crop for farmers.
The collaboration between Saluna and SEMO marks a major step in regional agricultural innovation. Saluna will lease land and facilities at the Sikeston campus to conduct seed trials and field tests. As part of the partnership, SEMO students will be trained and hired to support research activities, gaining hands-on agricultural experience.
“The idea for Saluna was born in southern Missouri,” said Matt Plummer, CEO of Saluna. “The SEMO-Sikeston campus offers up an unrivaled combination of resources of access to land, facilities, student talent and farmers.”
Saluna began its connection with SEMO in 2023 after hiring a student intern. Recognizing the area’s strong agricultural potential, Saluna chose Sikeston as the base for its expansion. The company has already hired three SEMO students, strengthening its ties to the region.
“This is exactly the kind of innovative partnership we want to attract to our regional campuses,” said Dan Presson, assistant vice president of economic and workforce development at SEMO. “With this partnership with Saluna we’re creating space for new technologies, new ideas and new opportunities that will benefit our students, our economy and our agricultural communities.”
Saluna’s move underscores SEMO’s role as a bridge between rural resources and urban innovation. The collaboration supports workforce development and boosts local agriculture.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Missouri, General, Sustainable Agriculture