Missouri Agriculture’s Innovative Investment for the Future

By: Emma Alexander

Missouri agriculture has a big goal: to teach tomorrow’s consumers about agriculture today. Many Missouri elementary students lack a first-hand connection to the production of food, fuel, and fiber in their everyday lives. Missouri agriculture invests in closing agricultural literacy gaps through Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves), a unique ten lesson curriculum.

“Our investment in Ag Moves ensures the next generation recognizes where their food and fuel come from and why it matters. It’s our job to help young people build the understanding to make informed choices that will shape the future of agriculture,” says Brian Lehman, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council chairman and corn grower from Versailles in #Agri-Ready Designated Morgan County.

“Ag Moves introduces consumers to the role agriculture plays in their daily lives, and inspires the next generation to value and support farming," adds Mark Lehenbauer, soybean farmer from Palmyra in #Agri-Ready Designated Marion County and chairman of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC).      

Meeting the Need in Urban and Rural Communities

Over a 28-year teaching career, Melanie Buford recognized that her students were disconnected from their food. As an energetic retiree, she teaches Ag Moves each fall and spring in five St. Joseph elementaries in #Agri-Ready Designated Buchanan County.

“It is a fun, essential program,” Melanie shares. “The average student doesn’t understand how food gets from a farm to their table and that knowledge is important.”

Ag Moves meets the need for agriculture education in rural communities, too.

“Less than 2% of people farm today. Even rural students who live near livestock and crops can lack an understanding of modern agriculture,” observes current MFA Incorporated President and CEO, Ernie Versules. “Ag Moves does more than teach the value of agriculture; it helps young students see agriculture’s career opportunities beyond farming. This program is a positive investment for the entire industry.”

Beyond Ag Literacy-Developing Leaders

“We’re not just teaching the origins of food and the impact of agriculture on daily life,” explains Heather Fletcher, program director of Ag Moves. “We’re cultivating confidence, communication, mentorship and leadership in over 800 student educators each year. These leaders will help shape the future of our communities.”

“Agriculture education showed me a door of opportunity that I wasn’t looking for. Ag Moves opened that door for me!” boasts Taylor Nothdurft. As an Ag Moves student educator in #Agri-Ready Designated Cape Girardeau County, Taylor gained valuable career experience. Today, she is studying agricultural education at the University of Missouri-Columbia and serves as a Missouri FFA 2025-26 Vice-President.

“I believe every FFA chapter should partner with Ag Moves. I have learned patience, good leadership, and a lot about myself. It is fun and engaging. Who wouldn’t want those things?” Taylor says.

Creating a Legacy through Organic Growth

Natalie Koch discovered her career aspirations during her 2022 Ag Moves collegiate internship. She planted an Ag Moves seed when she interviewed for her first agricultural education position and saw the program take root. She trained Steelville FFA student educators to implement the curriculum in #Agri-Ready Designated Crawford County. This fall, Natalie will teach agriculture at Mountain Grove in #Agri-Ready Designated Wright County where she will sow the seeds of Ag Moves in new soil. 

“Ag Moves does a great job bringing farming into classrooms in a way that’s fun and easy to understand,” agrees James Greer, chairman of the MFA Oil Foundation. “We’re proud to support a program that helps build awareness and respect for agriculture in young students.”

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Ag Moves in #Agri-Ready Counties. Agriculture Education on the Move was delivered in 59 of 79 #Agri-Ready Counties during the 2024-25 school year. Ag Moves is an opportunity to invest in students and build leaders                     in #Agri-Ready Designated Counties.     

Calling ALL Missouri FFA Chapters! Ag Moves wants you! Any Missouri FFA chapter can become an Ag Moves partner. FFA members will teach foundational agriculture lessons in their local communities. Free training is available for student educators during September…….

University of Missouri - Columbia: September 8th

Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville: September 12th

Missouri State University, Springfield: September 15th

Cape Girardeau County Extension Office, Jackson: September 23rd

Three Rivers College Preview Day, Poplar Bluff: September 24th

Ag Moves at a Glance. Ag Moves is a proactive, educational effort that brings passionate, trained educators into classrooms across Missouri. Each lesson includes a hands-on activity. All curriculum and lesson materials are provided at no cost by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation and the partners of Ag Moves.

The Ag Moves Curriculum. Ag Moves is ten foundational lessons teaching students that their food and the products used in everyday life come from farms. Students learn about beef, dairy, pork, poultry, corn, soybeans, soil health and conservation, nutrition, careers in agriculture and more through a standards-based curriculum that meets state learning objectives in elementary science, math, social studies, and language arts.

Ag Moves by the Numbers. Ag Moves’ continuous growth has resulted in a 57% enrollment increase over the last 3 years. 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 2024-25. Additionally, more than 4,400 students across Missouri enjoyed Ag Moves during summer 2025.

Generous Supporters. Ag Moves is provided through Missouri Farmers Care, a coalition of more than 40 Missouri agriculture groups. Program support is funded by Missouri soybean farmers and their checkoff, the MFA Oil Foundation, The Poultry Federation, Vital Farms, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, FCS Financial, MFA Incorporated,      the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board and partners across Missouri agriculture. To learn more, to support the program, or to become a partner, visit www.agmoves.com.\