Stand for Ag | Join the Conversation with Missouri Farmers Care

Have you ever wondered what Missouri Farmers Care is all about? In this episode, featuring Dr. Alan Wessler, we cover MFC history, our mission and more. We'll talk about everything from Right to Farm to current issues we are passionate about. 

Dr. Wessler brings years of experience to the table and we're excited to share his knowledge with our listeners. Be sure to give this week's episode a listen to join our conversation. 

Imagine a building that was sourced from soy, including the paint, countertops, carpet backing and so much more. The new Center for Soy Innovation is just that. From the moment you first exit your vehicle, you encounter soy products everywhere. With us today is Chrstine Tew, Director of Communications and Public Relations with the Missouri Soybean Association.

On today’s episode, we’ll talk about the Center for Soy Innovation, the Missouri soybean industry and so much more. Welcome to our conversation!

“Justin, let’s start a Christmas tree farm.”

This phrase was the beginning of a unique Supervised Agricultural Experience project for Justin Eddy, the 2020-21 Missouri FFA State President. Justin, a member of the Columbia FFA Chapter, was elected this spring to serve the roughly 26,000 members of the Missouri FFA Association. He, along with his teammates, have the unique opportunity to touch the lives of thousands of members across our state while representing our industry.

Justin joins us to talk about leadership, quarter horses, Christmas trees and much more. Welcome to our conversation!

Interested in learning more about the Missouri FFA Association? Check out their website at www.missouriffa.org or find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

From corn to cows to cotton, Ag Education on the Move covers it all. On this week’s episode of Stand for Ag, we discuss our ten-week curriculum that can be presented to elementary students across Missouri. We’re joined by our very own Heather Fletcher, the Director of AEOTM.

Heather, a native of central Missouri, shares her background, the details of our programming and how FFA members in Missouri can begin as an educator with our program. We’re proud of our program, and we’re so excited for you to join our conversation.

Mental health is a challenge that has been seen in all areas of our state, but recently has gained relevance in the agricultural industry. On today’s episode, we’re joined by Jason Medows, the creator of Ag State of Mind. Ag State of Mind, an online mental health resource page and podcast, has been working to break the stigma surrounding mental health challenges in agriculture.

 

Jason Medows is a pharmacist and cow-calf producer from Cuba, Missouri. His agricultural roots, combined with his professional experience in medicine, have allowed him to gain a unique perspective surrounding mental health challenges. We’re thankful Jason was able to join our conversation.

Kate Lambert, a transplant to Missouri, joins us to discuss conservation practices, the Leopold Conservation Award and online advocacy. Kate lives with her husband, Matt, and two sons on their family's farm in Brookfield, Missouri. They are past recipients of the Leopold Conservation Award and are state leaders in implementing innovative conservation practices on their operation.

Kate is also an outstanding advocate for agriculture. She shares her story on social media and through her blogs, Uptown Farmsand Uptown Girl. She talks about growing up outside of Chicago, moving to her husband's farm and how her professional experiences were supplemented by her hands-on experiences on the farm. Be sure to check out Kate's blogs and this episode of Stand for Ag. Welcome to our conversation.

Kate Lambert, a transplant to Missouri, joins us to discuss conservation practices, the Leopold Conservation Award and online advocacy. Kate lives with her husband, Matt, and two sons on their family’s farm in Brookfield, Missouri. They are past recipients of the Leopold Conservation Award and are state leaders in implementing innovative conservation practices on their operation.

Kate is also an outstanding advocate for agriculture. She shares her story on social media and through her blogs, Uptown Farmsand Uptown Girl. She talks about growing up outside of Chicago, moving to her husband’s farm and how her professional experiences were supplemented by her hands-on experiences on the farm. Be sure to check out Kate’s blogs and this episode of Stand for Ag. Welcome to our conversation.

Each year, for many Missourians, their summer culminates with corn dogs, concerts and carnival rides at the Missouri State Fair. Amid the COVID pandemic, the Missouri State Fair has transitioned to a statewide youth livestock show. Scheduled for August 13th-23rd, this event will bring exhibitors from all corners of the state to Sedalia to compete.

 

With us today is Mark Wolfe, Director of the Missouri State Fair, along with Kari Mergen, Missouri State Fair Marketing Director. Be sure to tune in as we discuss the new format, fairgrounds improvements and more on this week’s episode of Stand for Ag.

 

Want more information about the Missouri State Fair Youth Livestock Show? Check out mostatefair.com and visit the “Latest Scoop” page. You can also find the Missouri State Fair on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MOStateFair. Welcome to our conversation!         

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, processing plants cut back, operating below capacity. This caused a backlog of hogs in the supply chain, driving market prices down and increasing the cost at the grocery store. Amid this crisis, this week’s guest on Stand for Ag has worked to continue producing quality protein and build his farm to pass to the next generation. Scott Phillips is building a brighter tomorrow.

 

Phillips, a second-generation pig farmer from Drexel, Missouri, has been raising pigs for his entire life. A member of the National Pork Board and a representative on the United States Meat Export Federation, Phillips brings his extensive knowledge regarding pork production to our conversation. Join us as we talk shifting trends, markets and the challenges producers face on this week’s episode of Stand for Ag.

From farm to fork, the Missouri Department of Agriculture oversees our state’s $88 billion agriculture industry. This week, we had a unique chance to talk with the Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Chris Chinn. Director Chinn, a fifth-generation family farmer from Clarence, Missouri, lives on her family’s farm where they raise cattle, hogs,soybeans, corn and children. Director Chinn has been an advocate for agriculture on the state and national level for over a decade.

In this episode, we talk about plans for the Missouri State Fair, management of the Department of Agriculture through the COVID pandemic, the MORE Missouri Agriculture Initiative and the experiences consumers have had at the grocery stores recently. Director Chinn brings a unique perspective to the table and we’re thankful she joined our conversation.

Want more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture? Visit agriculture.mo.gov or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.