From The Desk Of Our Exec: Reflecting On 2024 And Looking Forward To 2025
Missouri Farmers Care has spent 2024 connecting with consumers and leaders to tell Missouri agriculture’s story. Harnessing the power of partnership, together we have connected with consumers, expanded elementary agriculture education, stood in the gap of food insecure Missourians, supported and marketed counties with an environment open to agricultural business and accomplished more than ever before.
Agriculture Education on the Move™ - Reaching Over 12,400 Students with Ag Education
Elementary students are learning about the role of agriculture in their lives with
Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves). Ag Moves educators spend time in classrooms across Missouri helping elementary students build agricultural literacy. During the ten-lesson program, students learn about crops, livestock, soil and water conservation, nutrition and careers in agriculture. Hands-on activities provide interactive learning as students make soybean germination necklaces, corn plastic, butter, pork feed rations, soil profiles and more. Through the curriculum, students learn about Missouri farm families and how the dedication of farmers and ranchers impact their lives.
Ag Moves reached over 12,400 third-grade students in 2024 through partnerships with 836 FFA members, professional educators and over 20 collegiate interns. The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, which hosts Ag Moves, supplies curriculum, materials, and trained educators at no cost to participating schools.
“The entire community benefits from Agriculture Education on the Move™ as local students discover the excitement of germinating seeds, learn the fundamentals of food production, and gain a new awareness of the agriculture surrounding them,” said Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care. “The connections these students make will shape their perspectives as future consumers and highlight opportunities available in agriculture-related careers.”
Ag Moves is funded by Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, a coalition of over 40 agriculture groups in Missouri. Support comes from Missouri soybean farmers and their checkoff, as well as the MFA Oil Foundation, FCS Financial, MFA Incorporated, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, the Missouri Beef Industry Council, and the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board. To learn more or to become a partner, visit www.agmoves.com. Our goal in 2025 is to reach one in five students through Ag Moves.
Drive to Feed Kids – Brighter Days for Missouri Children and Families Thanks To Agriculture
Missouri Farmers Care, agricultural leaders, and partners joined together for the 2024 Drive to Feed Kids. The effort to stand in the gap for those facing hunger in our state raised over 711,000 meals in 2024. Since 2017, this collaborative partnership has provided over thirteen million meals for children and families across the state.
“Food insecurity affects one in seven Missouri children and increases to up to one in three kids in some rural parts of the state; Missouri agriculture, Missouri 4-H, Missouri FFA and partners have banded together each year to help change this reality,” said Ashley McCarty, MFCF executive director. “Farmers and ranchers work 365 days a year to responsibly and sustainably produce abundance from our farms and ranches. The Drive to Feed Kids addresses the disparities where that abundance doesn’t reach our neighbors’ dinner tables.”
Food banks consistently report that protein is the most requested item for families. The Hogs For Hunger initiative helps fills that need. In 2025, Hogs For Hunger will return to the Missouri State Fair. Through this partnership, market swine exhibitors at the Fair and producers throughout the state are invited to commit pigs to feed neighbors in need.
The Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids is made possible by: ADM, Brownfield Ag News, American Family Insurance, MFA Incorporated, FCS Financial, NutraBlend, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, American Family Dreams Foundation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Pork, benevolent organizations and the contributions of Missouri farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.
Drive to Feed Kids donations are distributed statewide through Feeding Missouri, the association of Missouri’s six regional food banks. We have exciting upcoming events for 2025 including a packing day at the Missouri State Capitol and successful Missouri State Fair events.
An Expanded Race to the Plate with the St. Louis Cardinals
In 2024, the Race To The Plate partners expanded their long-standing partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals. Missouri farmers and ranchers connect with consumers, uniting over a shared love of baseball. Missouri’s pork, dairy, beef, and corn and soybean farmers shared key messages with millions of baseball fans through the season. They visited with Cardinals fans on several Friday nights in Busch Stadium, told their stories on Cards radio and through videos during the game and took a lighthearted approach to highlight the importance of Missouri agriculture during mascot races during Friday night home games. 2025 looks to be a year of growth and development. The featured farmers have been nailed down and Farmers In Ford Plaza will continue to be a highlight of this campaign.
Agri-Ready County Designation – 74 Missouri Counties Officially Open for Business
Seventy-four Missouri counties have committed to support agricultural development, economic growth and agricultural literacy education. Through Agri-Ready County Designation, MFC partners with counties which create an environment conducive to agricultural opportunities.
Through the Agri-Ready program, MFC partners with county leaders to advance local agricultural enterprise, promote the county as a prime location for business expansion and enhance workforce readiness for agricultural careers. Missouri Farmers Care is leading an effort in collaboration with Missouri Partnership to bring new agricultural businesses to the state.
Counties wishing to apply for Agri-Ready County Designation must meet program requirements, including no ordinances regulating agriculture in conflict with state law and support of agricultural stewardship, growth and opportunities.
Want to see your county become Agri-Ready Designated? Reach out to MFC Executive Director Ashley McCarty at ashley@mofarmerscare.com. Local leadership makes the difference in bringing new agricultural opportunities to our communities.
Through the power of partnership, Missouri Farmers Care tells the story of Missouri agriculture. We ask you to follow us on social media and help share the stories of farmers and ranchers and the great things happening in Missouri agriculture.
