LAURIE LINK: THE CONVERATIONS HAVE CHANGED
Written By:
Emma Alexander
For decades, a county health ordinance stifled agricultural economic growth and discouraged a generation from returning to Linn County farms. Now those family farms have renewed support in newly Agri-Ready Designated Linn County, Missouri.
Fourth generation ‘farmHer’, Laurie Link, embraces the daily responsibilities of her family’s farm near Meadville. Laurie manages calving season, feed and hay rations, herd health and more for their Balancer cow-calf herd. Her husband Seth operates a Pioneer Seed dealership and warehouse based at the Link farm. Seth and Laurie each have areas of focus, but they farm and work in partnership every day. They also grow soybeans, corn, and alfalfa across rented, owned and shared acres.
“Agriculture wasn’t something I had to do, I wanted to,” Laurie shares. “I grew up with three other sisters on the family farm and we raised hogs. We believed we could do anything we wanted to do.”
The Local Policy Conversation
Linn County made Missouri history by enacting one of the first ordinances in 1997, meant to deter animal feeding operations. In brief, some citizens were nervous about large hog operations. The county commission responded by enacting an ordinance with strenuous stipulations which made establishing new animal feeding operations costly and overly burdensome.
“My dad was instrumental in supporting agriculture through the policy development, but to no avail. Limits were placed on herd sizes and permits became complex and costly. Farmers couldn’t afford the trouble or expense of growing their farming operations,” Laurie remembers. “Much of my generation didn’t return to family farm businesses.”
Other counties modeled the restrictive Linn County ordinance, suffocating local support for animal agriculture farms and agricultural economic growth.
A Desire to Update Policy
Laurie’s dad, Rex Wood, helped begin the lengthy and extended Agri-Ready discussion a decade ago, as a representative of Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri Pork and Missouri Farm Bureau. In 2019, Missouri’s Senate Bill 391 nullified Linn County’s health ordinance.
“Farmers and community leaders supported updated ordinances but the path for repeal was unclear and risky for elected officials,” Laurie recalls. “A study showing agriculture’s impact in the Linn County economy kindled more conversation about partnering with Agri-Ready support. Now we have interest from more than just farmers and agriculture leaders. People are interested in conversations about access to safe and reliable food, fuel, and fiber and where it comes from. Agri-Ready is a great way to tell consumers that farmers are taking care of what we have so that consumers can have what they need.”
Linn County became the 82nd Agri-Ready Designated County in February 2026.
Agri-Ready Conversations
“In 2008, a job tip created an opportunity for Seth and I to come back home and start farming alongside dad and my mom, Pat. Now thanks to Agri-Ready Designation, those of us who have thought about expanding or bringing our next generation back to the farm can have those conversations with the support of our local government and the partners in the Agri-Ready program,” Laurie says.
“There used to be expectations for girls growing up on the farm. Those conversations have changed. Today’s conversations don’t suggest that the next generation find a role to fill. They can create roles with value. I hope that the Agri-Ready program can be a spearhead for more entrepreneurial conversations.”
Agri-Ready Designated Linn County. Agriculture, including food, feed and forestry, contributes $108.1 million in value-added products, $311.7 million in output, over 2,200 jobs, and adds $130.5 million to household incomes in Linn County according to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study. Linn County is the newest Agri-Ready Designated County, making more than 70% of Missouri’s Counties voluntary participants in the program.
The Next-Generation Conversation
“We are focused on continuing. We want to be sure that the farm is available to our kids; we want them to discover ways to bring value back to the farm if they choose to return,” Laurie says.
Seth and Laurie’s children contribute to the family farm while exploring their own value stories. Wyatt, works as a diesel technician. Tessa is a junior at Meadville High School and enjoys raising show lambs and feeder pigs. Kendall is studying agricultural education at Kansas State University. Kendall began growing a sweet corn patch as an FFA SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience). The sweet corn patch has a loyal customer base and continues as a Link family tradition.
The Link family are members of Missouri Soybeans, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, and Missouri Farm Bureau. These organizations are partners of Missouri Farmers Care.
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/
What is Agri-Ready County Designation? Agri-Ready County Designation is a voluntary program that recognizes counties committed to supporting and growing their agricultural industry. To qualify, a county must agree to support agricultural stewardship, growth, and economic interests. The designation helps counties promote themselves as agricultural hubs, attracting and supporting agribusiness. More information can be found at https://mofarmerscare.com/agri-ready/.
Photo credit: Haley Steward Photography
