Ashley McCarty: A Spirit of Partnership
“The satisfaction of cows contentedly grazing is hard to replace for this farm girl. This image reflects my career today: I work with the same urgency as if those animals are waiting,” shares Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care (MFC), as she stewards the rolling green hills of her family’s century farm in Agri-Ready Designated Adair County. “The satisfaction in a job well done keeps me coming back to new challenges day after day.” Ashley’s work is marked by a spirit of partnership and a commitment to advancing agriculture in Missouri.
Her Guiding Principle
“Collaboration is a guiding principle of my career. Nothing we accomplish is done in isolation,” Ashley says. Missouri’s agriculture community supports collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people through coordinated communication, education, and advocacy through MFC.
Glowing Reviews
“In her professional career and personal life, Ashley exemplifies community,” shares Becky Frankenbach, director of communications at the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, an MFC partner organization.
“There is no one who understands the importance of listening over talking better than Ashley,” says Mike Deering, executive vice-president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. “She is ridiculously patient and determined to shine the best light on agriculture and our state’s farm and ranch families.”
Advancing Agriculture as an Industry
“Rural prosperity depends on a thriving agricultural sector,” Ashley shares. “#Agri-Ready County Designation addresses the gap between support at the state level and in our local communities. Missouri has positioned itself as a premier location in our nation for agricultural businesses to grow and thrive. Agri-Ready Designation is an indicator that Missouri leaders are united to grow the state’s value-added agricultural capacity.”
MFC’s Agri-Ready County Designation program has flourished to 80 counties under Ashley’s leadership.
Commitment to What Works
“MFC will continue to shine a light on farmers, ranchers, agriculture teachers and students to champion that a great life can be made in agriculture,” Ashley reflects. “This effort embodies the MFC vision: that all Missourians will understand the truth about modern agriculture, food production and farm life and their connection to Missouri’s food security, economy, and social well-being.”
More About MFC.
MFC programs include Agriculture Education on the Move, Agri-Ready County Designation, the Drive to Feed Kids, the Missouri Agriculture Stewardship Award, and the Race to the Plate Race To The Plate campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals.
At Home on the Farm
She is recognized as an industry leader statewide, but at home on the farm Ashley is a fifth-generation cattlewoman. McCarty Cattle Company specializes in grazing Red Angus cattle. They sell a portion of their annual beef crop direct-to-consumer.
“Growing up on the farm was a gift. With gratitude to the generations before me who worked to keep the farm, we provide that same gift to our three children,” Ashley says. She and her husband, Pat, invest time on the road with their sons, Cade (17), Reese (14), and Gage (10), as they compete at the national level in youth, Junior High and High School Rodeo circuits.
More About Ashley
Ashley’s commitment to leadership and her background in agricultural policy extends her influence. She is the chairwoman of the Missouri Clean Water Commission. Ashley was honored with the 2024 Livestock Achievement Award at the Missouri Livestock Symposium, recognizing her dedication to advancing agriculture and her significant contributions to the Missouri farming community. She is a University of Missouri-Columbia alum, has served as a University Extension Council member, a legislative leader for Adair-Schuyler County Farm Bureau and is a member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. The McCarty family values their relationships with FCS Financial, MFA, Inc., and MFA Oil.
Agri-Ready Designated Adair County.
Agriculture, including food, feed and forestry, contributes $239.3 million in value added products, $816.8 million in output, more than 4,050 jobs, and $243.0 million to household incomes in Adair County according to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study.
