KC Mayor Quinton Lucas Addresses Ag Business Council

For the second time since he was elected mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, in 2019, Quinton Lucas addressed the Agricultural Business Council during its December Luncheon and Annual Meeting. Reflecting on his first visit with the Council shortly after the mayoral election, Mayor Lucas said he had the best job in the world in the best city in the world – the economy was buzzing, USDA was relocating two important agency groups to Kansas City, the NFL Chiefs were on their way to the NFL Playoffs and an eventual Super Bowl Championship. “What could go wrong in 2020?” he quipped.  

Despite the pandemic, the Mayor said Kansas City, with its roots in agriculture, meat protein production and distribution, is a source of optimism for a beleaguered nation.  That relationship with agriculture – and food – is what allowed the city to develop and grow during tough times, he explained. Kansas City doesn’t have to depend on tourism, technology or big manufacturing to remain vibrant. Food is something no one can do without, he added. 

Mayor Lucas was both energetic and excited in citing that agribusiness is the “key to the nation’s well-being,” and was the leader in dealing with supply chain issues across the board during COVID-19.  “There’s just something great about agriculture,” he observed affirmatively.

The mayor said the city wants to be more involved in advancing agriculture as an industry, a culture and an opportunity, especially for students. Mayor Lucas also wants to expand the scope of STEM programs.  “STEM should not just be about engineering,” he said – it has got to be about food, too. Kansas City and the region “can find all the talent it needs in the nearby land grant colleges.” And the Mayor intends to find ways to provide more support to these institutions.