Keith Dietzschold: Missouri FFA’s Day of Serivce
“Missouri FFA’s Day of Service was never about IF we could do it. It has always been about figuring out HOW we would do it,” reflects Mr. Keith Dietzschold, recently retired Missouri FFA Advisor.
For a decade, Keith has shepherded the FFA Day of Service: a signature Missouri State Fair event that brings FFA members together to fight food insecurity through Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids. The partnership embodies Missouri FFA’s ‘Living to Serve’ motto. This year more than 800 Missouri FFA members packed 252,564 meals for Missourians in need in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Keith believes this tradition has never been a measurement of meals.
The BIG Thing: More Than Meals
“Partnership makes it possible for the Drive to Feed Kids to gain momentum year after year. This activity brings the great people of Missouri agriculture together, and that unity is what sustains the Day of Service. We are raising awareness about food insecurity across Missouri together.”
Missouri agriculture’s unity is building a legacy that the next generation sees as they learn to recognize and respond to food insecurity. The Drive represents a commitment to get Missouri agriculture’s abundance to every plate.
An Experience for Stakeholders
“When agriculture leaders, state leaders, legislators, State Fair Commissioners, sponsors, and so many more special guests work elbow to elbow with our FFA kids for hours their hearts are warmed and filled. They see hundreds of FFA members working with enthusiasm on a project that serves Missourians in need. Those guests are blown away; they tell their colleagues who want to see it to believe it. Each time the event grows, we welcome new partners and we find more great people in Missouri agriculture that want to help.
“FFA members will share that they packed meals next to a commissioner, legislator, donor, etc. It allows these kids to see that our leaders are real people. Day of Service gives our FFA members hands on experience and confidence; it sparks their interest to return home and find ways to serve their communities,” Keith says.
The Biggest Challenge
“Logistics,” Keith quickly responds. “The biggest challenges are details people can’t see. Product delivery, workspace, registration, financial resources, and moving hundreds of FFA members on a tight time schedule: these things take a year of planning. Even after a decade, we are still improving.”
“Missouri FFA’s partnership with Missouri Farmers Care has been critical to successful logistics every year. State Fair staff open doors, literally and figuratively, and graciously amplify the success of our event.”
Far-Reaching, Long-Lasting Impacts
“An original goal of this project was to inspire local food security projects. 2020 became the opportunity to realize that goal through the Drive Mini-Grant program. Grants empower FFA members to design local food security solutions. A year that could have slowed the Drive’s momentum made it stronger by adding another successful initiative to the program,” Keith remembers.
This year, the Drive invested $15,500 in local food security projects through FFA, 4-H and CTE grants.
Missouri FFA’s Day of Service is uniquely held during the State Fair, our state’s 11-day celebration of excellence in Missouri agriculture. The Drive to Feed Kids and Day of Service activities align with the Fair’s mission of cultivating future leaders in agriculture. The event’s food security awareness message is amplified to other fair goers on annual tee shirts worn by FFA members.
“FFA Day of Service would never happen without an army of volunteers and supporters, names that we will never see on the tee-shirts the kids get to wear,” Keith shares.
A Lasting Legacy
Keith concluded a 40+ year career in agriculture education, and leaves behind a lasting legacy supporting agricultural education. He is excited what the future holds for Missouri FFA’s Day of Service.
“Plan it. Let it happen. Make sure everyone has good time doing it. But most importantly, continue bringing people together.”
“Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids is thankful for a decade of Mr. D’s leadership, vision and commitment to bringing people together in service to their neighbors,” says Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. “What began as an opportunity to serve has grown into a powerful Missouri agriculture tradition that reaches far beyond meals. Mr. D. has helped a generation of FFA members experience service to others, while uniting Missouri agriculture around a critical need. The legacy of the Day of Service is measured in the young people inspired to go home and make a difference in their own communities. We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and heart Mr. D. has poured into the Drive to Feed Kids.”
The Missouri FFA Day of Service is hosted by the Missouri FFA Association, Missouri Farmers Care, and the Missouri State Fair, and presented by Brownfield Ag News and ADM, with partners across Missouri agriculture.
2026 Drive to Feed Kids is Powered by Partnership
The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids is made possible through the generous support of Missouri agriculture and business partners, including: ADM, Brownfield Ag News, American Family Insurance, Missouri FQHC Rural Health Network, Show-Me America 250, Nutra-Blend, MFA Incorporated, FCS Financial, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, The Poultry Federation, Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation, Smithfield Foods, Missouri Farm Bureau, Martin Rice, Missouri FFA Foundation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Hunter’s Moon Run N Gun, Home State Health, Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives, PivotBio, Beck’s Hybrids, Missouri 4-H Foundation, Missouri Pork, and the Missouri State Fair Foundation.
I2026 Drive to Feed Kids in Review
Here’s a breakdown of how many meals were provided during 2026: 4-H Feeding Missouri campaign: 250,271. Missouri FFA Days of Service: 252,564. 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, and collegiate groups DTFK Mini-Grant program: 145,748. Hogs for Hunger initiative, swine exhibitors and producers: 36,125 servings. $2 Tuesday Fairgoers: 53,231.Several other annual projects also contribute to the year-end total. GRAND TOTAL FOR 2026: 825,196 MEALS. Since its launch ten years ago, Drive has provided more than 13.7 million meals to children and families across the state.
What is the Drive to Feed Kids? The Drive to Feed Kids is More than Just a Food Drive
Launched in 2017, the Drive to Feed Kids builds collaborative partnerships among nonprofits, farmers, and agribusinesses committed to addressing food insecurity across the state. To learn more, including how to get involved in 2027, visithttps://mofarmerscare.com/drive/.
What is Hogs for Hunger?
Hogs for Hunger is an initiative of MFC’s Drive to Feed Kids. One pig can change lives by feeding 525 Missourians in need. Donors receive a stipend of $200 provided by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation and Drive to Feed Kids partners. Hogs can be donated locally or at the Missouri State Fair. Learn more at www.mofarmerscare.com/hogs-for-hunger/.
What is the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation?
Missouri Farmers Care Foundation enables Missourians to understand the influence and importance of agriculture in their daily lives by serving as the centralized hub of the unified educational programs, awards, and hunger relief efforts of Missouri’s agricultural community.
What is Missouri Farmers Care?
Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri’s agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend. The coalition of more than 40 leading Missouri agricultural groups promotes the growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education and advocacy. https://mofarmerscare.com/