Why Early Agriculture Education Matters — And How Agriculture Education on the Move™ Helps Meet the Need
By Ashley McCarty
Missouri’s future has always been rooted in the strength of our farms, families and rural communities. Agriculture remains the backbone of our state’s economy, contributing more than $97 billion annually and supporting jobs across Missouri. Yet for many young students today, the connection between their daily lives and the farmers who produce their food is not always clear.
This spring, the Missouri House and Senate have been discussing measures to support elementary agricultural literacy. The measures make agriculture education available at the elementary level to help Missouri students better understand the role agriculture plays in their lives, their communities and our state’s economy. The bills are sponsored by Senator Barbara Washington from Kansas City and Representatives John Martin and Adrian Plank from Boone County.
Missouri has a strong example of what this kind of education can look like through Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves). This Missouri Farmers Care Foundation program brings trained educators, engaging curriculum and hands-on activities directly into third-grade classrooms across the state.
Ag Moves is designed to be accessible to schools across Missouri. The curriculum, materials and trained educators are provided at no cost to participating schools, making it easier for teachers and districts to bring agriculture literacy into their classrooms.
Through the 10-lesson experience, students plant seeds, study soil, explore livestock care and discover how crops become food, fuel and fiber products they use every day. These hands-on lessons align with Missouri learning standards while helping students make meaningful connections between what they learn in the classroom and the world around them.
Programs like Ag Moves also demonstrate another powerful benefit of agriculture education: leadership development. Many of the educators delivering these lessons are FFA members and agricultural education students who are gaining valuable experience in communication, mentorship and community engagement while teaching younger students.
Encouraging agriculture education in elementary schools strengthens the bridge between rural and urban communities. When students understand how food is grown and produced, they gain a deeper appreciation for the farmers and ranchers who work every day to provide safe, abundant food.
Missouri has a proud agricultural heritage, but our future depends on the next generation understanding and valuing that legacy. By encouraging agriculture education at the elementary level and supporting programs like Agriculture Education on the Move™, Missouri is helping ensure students across our state have the opportunity to learn about the industry that sustains our economy and our communities.
When we invest in agriculture education today, we are investing in informed consumers, innovative leaders and strong communities for tomorrow.