Missouri and Kansas FFA Members Compete to Make the Most Impact for Neighbors Facing Hunger

The Western Farm Show and Missouri Farmers Care are joining forces for the second year to make a difference in the lives of families facing food insecurity in Missouri and Kansas. The Western Farm Show’s annual Unite Against Hunger “Battle Of The Border” event will collaborate with the Drive to Feed Kids for an opportunity for Western Farm Show attendees and FFA chapters to make a difference.

The 63rd Annual Western Farm Show will be held at the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri from February 21-23. FFA members will unite against hunger in an annual food drive in support of National FFA Week. Returning to the partnership, the Western Farm Show is teaming up with the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids to expand the impact of this friendly competition. In 2024, 5,695 meals were donated through the competition.

This year Western Farm Show attendees are invited to join the effort by contributing nonperishable food items or monetary donations in support of the Drive to Feed Kids. Donations will only be accepted on Friday, February 21 at the booths DD and EE located in Central Hall. All donations are tax deductible and will be used by Harvesters Community Food Network which serves a 27 county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. 

“The Western Farm Show is excited to collaborate with the North American Equipment Dealers Association to host our annual “Battle of the Border” competition on Friday, February 21,” said Jami Applegate, Manager of Industry and Association Events at the North American Equipment Dealers Association. “FFA students have the chance to win $1,000 for their school chapter by collecting and donating over 200 canned goods. In 2024, we saw a record-breaking number of donations, which was truly inspiring. This event is a win-win for FFA students and the local community, and it’s wonderful to see this friendly competition continue to thrive and grow.”

Each chapter that brings in a minimum of 200 canned or nonperishable food items will qualify for a drawing. The Western Farm Show will draw one winner from each state and award them with a $1,000 check to be used solely for educational purposes for the good of the chapter. In 2024, Pilot Grove FFA won the $1,000 award for Missouri and Columbus FFA was the Kansas winner. All food items will be donated to the Harvesters Community Food Network in Kansas City, MO. 

In addition to the “Battle of the Border,” the WFS offers leadership development and career preparation for Kansas and Missouri students Friday during the event’s annual FFA Day, sponsored by CASE IH. Students can get involved by joining leadership sessions in the Wagstaff Theatre and gain career insight from professionals employed in agriculture. 

“The Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids is thrilled to partner with the Western Farm Show and Missouri and Kansas FFA students in this effort to raise awareness and make brighter days for families facing hunger,” explained Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. “The Drive highlights the hard work of farmers and ranchers to provide abundant food, feed and fuel and presents an opportunity for agriculture to contribute further to our communities. ” 

Through the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids, presented with ADM and Brownfield Ag News, partners across Missouri agriculture unite annually to raise meals for Feeding Missouri and its six affiliate food banks and over 1,500 partner agencies. In 2024, 711,000 meals were raised through packing events, 4-H and FFA grant projects, pork donations, and canned food drives. Working collaboratively, more than 13 million meals have been raised through the partnership since 2017. 

2025 Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids events continue through the summer. Missouri Farmers Care Foundation invites companies, organizations and individuals to join in the Drive to Feed Kids; details and a giving link can be found at www.mofarmerscare.com/drive. All donations are directed to Feeding Missouri network food banks and partner agencies who work daily in every Missouri county to alleviate childhood hunger.