Stand for Ag | Join the Conversation with Missouri Farmers Care

Agriculture instructor and FFA Advisor Amanda Reid is a 21-year veteran teacher at the Concordia school district in #Agri-Ready Designated Lafayette County. Amanda has been utilizing partnerships with the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids and Agriculture on the Move (Ag Moves) programs to add value to the student experiences, leadership development and activities the Concordia FFA Chapter implements each year. These programs provide hands-on opportunities for FFA chapters and members who are "learning to do" and "living to serve" their communities. The successes of Amanda and the Concordia FFA chapter are proof of the power of partnership with Missouri Farmers Care. Agriculture Education on the Move program Drive to Feed Kids FFA Mini-Grants Concordia FFA Feature Blog & Photo Gallery https://www.facebook.com/MoFarmersCare https://www.instagram.com/mofarmerscare/

Grant Norfleet was recently elected to serve as the 2023-24 National FFA Secretary. Grant grew up on his family's livestock and row crop farm in #Agri-Ready Designated Audrain County, southwest of Mexico, Mo. As a youth, he enjoyed showing livestock through 4-H and FFA with his brother. He began his FFA career as a member of the Mexico FFA Chapter and was honored to serve as a Missouri FFA Association Vice-President in 2021-22. He is a senior at the University of Missouri studying Agriculture Education and Leadership. He is emphasizing communications in his studies with minors in agribusiness management and digital storytelling. Grant was elected as the National FFA Secretary during the 2023 National FFA Convention in the company of more than seventy thousand of his fellow members from across the nation. In this episode of Stand for Ag, Grant shares stories from his FFA journey. He shares his FFA beginnings, an unexpected win, hilarious memories, and the intense experience of contending for a national office. 2023-24 National FFA Officers https://www.facebook.com/MoFarmersCare https://www.instagram.com/mofarmerscare/

Get ready to meet Missouri's 2023 Leopold Conservation Award winner in this episode of Stand for Ag! The Leopold Conservation Award Program recognizes and celebrates extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation by agricultural landowners. This program shares the stories of conservation-minded farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to inspire countless other landowners to embrace opportunities to improve soil health, water resources, and wildlife habitat on their working land. It also builds bridges between agriculture, government, environmental organizations, industry, and academia to advance the cause of environmental improvement on private land while helping the general public to understand the vital role private land owners can and do play in conservation. Missouri Farmers Care partners with the Sand County Foundation and American Farmland Trust to annually present this prestigious honor. Congratulations to Cope Grass Farm for being recognized as Missouri's 2023 Leopold Conservation Award winner! Cope Grass Farm is operated by Harry Cope and his wife Rose along with their children Sabrina and Dustin. Harry is the 5th generation of his family to farm their land located near Truxton, Missouri in #Agri-Ready Designated Montgomery County. The Copes grow limited row crops, continually work on timber stand improvement, and have diversified the forages in their pastures. All of these areas of the farm are utilized to grow grass-finished beef and lamb, acorn finished pork, and a variety of meat birds that the Copes sell direct to consumers at local farmers markets. Video: Cope Grass Farms News Release: Cope Grass Farms Blog: Cope Grass Farms Contact: Cope Grass Farms Shop Online: Cope Grass Farms More information about Missouri's Leopold Conservation Award https://www.facebook.com/MoFarmersCare https://www.instagram.com/mofarmerscare/

Missouri Farmers Care and our line-up of worthy programming is made possible thanks to the Power of Partnership. In today's episode, we'll introduce you to Don, Joe, and Davin who represent the Agri-Ready designated counties of Lafayette, Nodaway, and Moniteau, respectively. Not only do these three gentlemen have unique farm stories, they also represent organizations which are valuable partners of Missouri Farmers Care. Don Schlesselman, Chairman of the Board, MFA Incorporated (2:40) Don Schlesselman Photo Gallery and Blog MFA, Incorporated Joe Frueh, regional Farm Loan Officer at FCS Financial (5:54) Joe Frueh Photo Gallery and Blog FCS Financial Davin Althoff, Director of Marketing and Commodities at Missouri Farm Bureau (11:23) Althoff Family Photo Gallery and Blog Missouri Farm Bureau Federation https://www.facebook.com/MoFarmersCare https://www.instagram.com/mofarmerscare/

Reagan O'Farrell Gallery and BlogpostBrayden Hallford, Gallery and BlogpostRay Cunningham Gallery and BlogpostCheck out info on the Missouri Agribusiness Academyhttps://www.facebook.com/MoFarmersCare https://www.instagram.com/mofarmerscare/

Tune in as we wrap up our celebration of our Missouri FFA National champions. Emily Hoyt, a sophomore studying agriculture education at the University of Missouri, was named the national champion in the agricultural education proficiency award at the 95th National FFA Convention in Indiana. Emily previously served as an Agriculture Education on the Move™ partner educator as a part of her SAE.

Join us as we continue celebrating our Missouri FFA National champions. Trenton Jones of Higginsville brought home the diversified horticulture national title from the 95th National FFA Convention. Trenton is a sophomore at Northwest Missouri State University majoring in agricultural media with a minor in agricultural communications. Trenton served as Missouri FFA state vice president last year and retired this past April.

Missouri FFA represented the Show-Me state well this year at the 95th National FFA Convention. A team of four juniors from the North Shelby FFA chapter brought home the national title in agronomy this year. Join us as we chat with the team on what it took to win it all. The North Shelby FFA chapter has nearly 65 members. This year, North Shelby had three placing teams at the National FFA Convention: ag mechanics, agronomy and conduct of chapter meetings.

Listen in on this webinar recording, hosted by Missouri Soybean Association, to check in on the checkoff. This bonus episode features a distinguished group of panelists diving into the checkoff from the farm level up to the USDA, offering producers a look into the backend.

Wine isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Missouri, but the Show-Me state has a long, decorated history in the industry. Home to the first ever American Viticultural Area (AVA), designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, wine has been in our state since the 1840s. Join Alex Gast in this episode of Stand For Ag, prerecorded at the Missouri State Fair, as she joins Jim Anderson, the executive director of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, to discuss the history and beauty of the Missouri wine industry. Jim Anderson has been the executive director of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board for nearly 25 years. With a bakcground in horticulture, Jim started out as the horticulture marketing specialist for the Department of Agriculture.

How far is too far when it comes to government regulation? On this episode of Stand For Ag, attorney Brent Haden tells us how 102 Cooper County farmers successfully fought back against the Cooper County Health Board in its effort to regulate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. Brent Haden was born and raised on a farm in Mexico, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Haden graduated from Harvard Law School in 2002. In 2011, he founded he Law Firm of Haden & Colbert, a Columbia-based law firm. Haden focuses his practice on helping businesses and farmers solve their legal and commercial problems through both traditional litigation and aggressive, cost-effective negotiation.

On September 12, American Foods Group, LLC (AFG) broke ground on its new $800-million beef processing plant in Agri-Ready Warren County. The plant will start receiving cattle in 2024 and once fully operational will process over 2,400 cattle per day. As one of the top beef-producing states in the U.S., this market for Missouri fed cattle and cows will benefit cattle producers and enhance the value of Missouri agriculture at the farm gate. Tune into this week's episode with Ashley McCarty and Chris Chinn, Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, as they highlight the significance behind the state's new beef processing plant.

Join our host, Alexandra Gast, as she visits with Jordan Browning, public information officer at Ozarks Food Harvest, for this week's episode of Stand for Ag. Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 hunger-relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. Join Alex and Jordan as they discuss the duties Ozarks Food Harvest fulfills in the fight against hunger.

Grab a chair and add a tool to your tool box. This week's episode shares all the details about the AgriSafe Helpline. Visit the links below to learn more: AgriSafe Network: https://www.agrisafe.org Missouri Department of Agriculture: https://agriculture.mo.gov/stress.php Hotline number (call or text): 833.897.2474

The power of partnership is no joke. Listen in on this webinar recording, hosted by Missouri Soybean Association, and get an in-depth picture of conservation practices and resources in Missouri. This bonus episode featured an esteemed group of panelists, high-quality conservation programs, and a Q&A session with audience members.

Join Ag Ed on the Move program director, Heather Fletcher, and 2 partner educators for a special AEOTM update. This episode will highlight the impact this program has had on third-grade students in Missouri; and some exciting new things on the horizon.

Join Alexandra, MFC outreach specialist, and Matt Moreland of Red Barn Ranch for the kickoff episode of season 5. Red Barn Ranch is nestled on the outskirts of Harrisonville, Missouri, and provides fun for all ages. They have cows grazing on pasture, opportunities to feed the goats and alpacas in the petting area, and everything in between! This 4th generation farmer has been welcoming families onto his working farm for the last 9 seasons and has been successful all thanks to the family behind him, the creative ideas for new attractions, and his love for consumer education. Pull up a chair or visit the Sunflower fest to listen to this week’s conversation on Stand for Ag.

Tune into the season 4 finale of Stand for Ag as Ashley and guest, Dan Kleinsorge, give us a brief review of the 2022 state legislative session. Dan Kleinsorge grew up on a farm in Montgomery County working with hogs, dogs, and row crops while growing up. Dan has worked on campaigns, in state government, and for nonprofits for 15 years. From late 2011 through 2014, Dan was the Executive Director of Missouri Farmers Care during the organization's first years. There Dan helped ag allies in North Dakota defeat an animal-rights sponsored ballot initiative in 2012 and worked on the passage of Missouri's Right to Farm amendment during 2013 and 2014. In 2015, Dan went to work for incoming State Senator Dave Schatz, who would later become President Pro Tem of the state senate. For Senator Schatz, Dan worked on a wide variety of legislation including a bill that exempted federal agricultural disaster payments from state income taxes and multiple bills to increase road and highway funding, including the bridge bonding package that is currently funding the replacement of many out of date bridges across the state. In January 2021, Dan went to work for the Missouri Limestone Producers Association as its Executive Director.

Join this week's episode with an insightful panel of women from Missouri CommonGround. They discuss connecting consumers and producers, and how agriculture is always changing. Our guest host this week is Hillary Black. Hilary Black is the Associate Director of Communications for the Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. A 2007 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Hilary utilizes her degree in Agricultural Education: Leadership and Communication to help broaden corn education for students and consumers. Since joining Missouri Corn in 2008, her responsibilities have included developing educational curriculum for third-grade teachers, partnering with youth education initiatives through 4-H and FFA, and assisting with the development of the Missouri FFA Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence Academy, sponsored by Missouri Corn. Hilary also assists with Missouri Corn communications and serves as the association’s lead on the Missouri CommonGround program. Guests include Kaitlin Flick and Addi Yoder. Kaitlin Flick is an AgriEdge Specialist with Syngenta Crop Protection. A 2015 graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Kaitlin uses her degree in Plant Science where she works with farmers and agriculture retailers in Missouri using Syngenta crop protection products for corn, soybean, and wheat fields. Kaitlin has been a CommonGround volunteer for the past three years and enjoys sharing her agronomic experience and beef cattle operation with consumers to educate them on food production and answer questions on how corn is grown and cattle are fed. Aside from Kaitlin's involvement with Missouri Corn & CommonGround, Kaitlin is Chair of the MU Cooper County Extension Council and sits on the Certified Crop Advisor board. Addie Yoder has a passion to advocate for agriculture with consumers and legislators. Addie shares [their] farm’s story through public speaking events, podcasts, radio, and social media. As a U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action ambassador and CommonGround volunteer, she has open conversations with non-farm women to bridge the communication gap on food issues and modern farming practices.

Join the conversation this week on ‘hard conversations.’ Ashley and Eric discuss the challenges of communicating our passion as agriculturists. Eric Bohl serves as the Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy for Missouri Farm Bureau. In this capacity, he directs the organization’s media and communications activities, creates and strengthens relationships with agribusinesses and serves on the MOFB legislative team. Eric previously served five years as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), including handling her work on the House Agriculture Committee, and two years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO). Before entering public service he practiced law in Cape Girardeau, focusing on real estate and commercial transactions. Eric was born and raised in Harrisonville, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri for his undergraduate and law degrees and graduated from both programs with honors. While in law school he served as the Managing Editor of the Missouri Law Review. Eric, his wife Sarah, and their three children reside in Columbia.