Are You Smarter than a Third Grader?

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.

Join Ashley and Gary Wheeler on Stand for Ag. Missouri’s soybean farmers selected an innovative and committed servant leader to helm the Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and Foundation for Soy Innovation. Gary Wheeler is a deeply engaged advocate for soybean farmers. His focus on partnerships and the power of forward-thinking has led Missouri’s soybean organizations through significant operational and strategic challenges with a track record of success.  Wheeler holds a Master of Business Administration from William Woods University and a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from Murray State University. He previously served the Missouri agricultural industry in roles with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. Wheeler also served in the Missouri Army National Guard for over a decade.  Beyond his professional role, Wheeler enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, hunting and reading.