Investing In Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Through Ag Moves

By: Emma Alexander

Follow the trail of fun-colored tiles down the brightly decorated halls and you will find that Jackson elementary students aren’t the only ones learning this summer. Jackson Public Schools (JPS) has partnered with Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves) to make summer school an opportunity for Jackson’s future leaders to learn and grow, too. Collegiate interns, Taylor and Amelia, are strengthening their communication skills and developing career preparedness as they teach Ag Moves, a series of ten, hands-on, STEM focused lessons about Missouri agriculture.

Teaching More Than Just Agriculture

Every third-grade summer school student in Jackson is participating in Ag Moves lessons. More than just enriching activities to make summer fun, these lessons teach tomorrow’s consumers to connect with their food, fiber and fuel today. Furthermore, Ag Moves is brought to life by collegiate interns, Taylor and Amelia, who are preparing for successful futures.

“Ag Moves creates opportunities for student educators to grow. They enhance their skills in public speaking, work ethic, organization, responsibility, and confidence,” says southeast regional coordinator for Ag Moves, Rick Aufdenberg.

“Partnership with Ag Moves is an investment in future leaders of our communities,” says Heather Fletcher, program director for Agriculture Education on the Move™. By empowering young educators and inspiring students through hands-on agricultural learning, we’re not just teaching—we’re cultivating confidence, communication, mentorship and leadership that can help shape the future of our communities.”

More About Intern Taylor Myers

She didn’t grow up on a farm, but Taylor Myers fell in love with agriculture as a member of Jackson’s FFA chapter. She wants more students to be introduced to agriculture, so she is majoring in agricultural education at SEMO.

“Ag Moves brings me full circle. I was an elementary student at the Orchard Drive campus, and now I get to relive my memories from a different perspective,” Taylor shares. “I feel supported by the teachers, schedulers, and administrators that are guiding me through this opportunity. The more experiences I can have, the better prepared I will be to become a teacher. I am ready to get out of my comfort zone and grow!”

More About Intern Amelia Wilson

Amelia Wilson grew up on a farm and will begin her first year of studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia this fall. She was an Ag Moves educator as a member of the Saxony-Lutheran FFA, so she knows she will continue to learn through this summer internship.

“It’s fun to see students get excited about the activities and be surprised when they learn something new. I hope that connecting them with agriculture early will encourage them to join FFA in high school,” Amelia says.

What is Ag Moves?

Ag Moves is a proactive, educational effort that brings passionate, trained educators into classrooms across Missouri to build agricultural literacy at elementary ages. Students learn about crops, livestock, soil and water conservation, nutrition, careers in agriculture and more through a curriculum which meets grade level appropriate, state learning objectives in the areas of science, math, social studies, and language arts. Students make soybean germination necklaces, corn plastic, butter, animal feed rations, and soil profile bookmarks. Students are introduced to Missouri farm families and learn about their dedication, compassion, sacrifice, and work ethic on the farm. All curriculum and lesson materials are provided at no cost to schools by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation.

But Wait, There’s More Value

“The Ag Moves program speaks for itself,” shares Jessica Maxwell, Associate Superintendent for JPS. “It is great for our kids to learn from community partners, especially in agriculture. In recognizing careers in agriculture, they are always amazed that ‘a person does that’.”

”Any time students can try, test, touch, or taste hands-on components during lesson activities, it helps them make stronger connections to how those lessons apply to their daily lives,” describes Samantha Trankler, West Lane Elementary principal. “Ag Moves lessons give our students a great overview so that they can better understand the agriculture in our community as they drive down the road.”

“I am excited for Ag Moves to make a difference in the Jackson community-my hometown. As these students talk to their friends and families, it will open doors for us to bring Ag Moves to other schools in our region,” says Rick.

Developing Leaders State-wide

Taylor and Amelia are members of a team of 28 collegiate interns teaching Ag Moves in summer enrichment programs and camps across urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state. Multi-year partnerships are proof that Ag Moves is a wholesome and effective addition to curriculums and a great investment in future community leaders. Ag Moves’ continuous growth has seen 57% growth in the last 3 years.

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For those students not in summer school, or looking for additional fun agricultural literacy activities, Ag Moves resources are available online for families. The free Ag Education on the Move Coloring Fun App can extend learning for elementary students through the summer months. The app gives youth an opportunity to virtually explore their connection to the food they eat, as well as the fuel and fiber they use, as they color their way through the farm. The app is available on Google Play, Apple App Store and Amazon Appstore at https://www.agmoves.com/aeotmapp. Free, downloadable partner resources are available at www.agmoves.com/resources to provide additional summer fun and learning.

Through partnerships with FFA chapters, Ag Moves professional educators, and collegiate education interns, Ag Moves engaged over 12,600 students state-wide with in-classroom lessons in 2024. Ag Moves is funded through Missouri Farmers Care, a coalition of more than 40 Missouri agriculture groups. Missouri soybean farmers and their checkoff and the MFA Oil Foundation support the program, along with contributions from Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, FCS Financial, MFA Incorporated, Missouri Beef Industry Council and the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board. To learn more, to support the program, or to become a partner, visit www.agmoves.com.

Cape Girardeau County’s #Agri-Ready Designation recognizes the willingness of county leaders to protect, promote, and develop the county’s agricultural economy. Agriculture, food and forestry contributes $595.0 million in total value-added products, supports nearly 6,000 jobs, and adds $523.5 million annually to Cape Girardeau County household incomes according to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study.