Missouri Farmers and Ranchers Provide Ag Education on the Move™ Lessons to 5,850 Missouri Elementary Students This Summer
JEFFERSON CITY, MO.- Elementary students across Missouri are discovering agriculture through Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves) this summer. The hands-on, 10 lesson curriculum is provided at no cost to schools or enrichment programs by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, which is supported by Missouri agriculture membership and partnership organizations.
A passionate educator team is leading 5,850 elementary students through the Ag Moves curriculum that connects students to their food, fuel, fibers and farmers. The program also provides vital experiences for future agriculture education professionals through the collegiate internship program which includes 24 interns this summer.
Through Ag Moves, students explore various topics, including crops, livestock, soil and water conservation, nutrition, and careers in agriculture. The STEM-focused lessons align with Missouri standards in science, math, social studies, and language arts. Students create soybean germination necklaces, make corn plastic, prepare butter, develop feed rations, construct soil profiles and more. Through the curriculum, students gain insights into Missouri farm families and the dedication of farmers and ranchers throughout the year.
“Through hands-on agricultural education, we’re helping students discover where their food comes from while empowering future educators to grow as leaders,” says Ag Moves program director, Heather Fletcher. “The impact extends far beyond the classroom, building confidence, communication skills, mentorship opportunities, and leadership experiences that will benefit our communities for years to come. Ag Moves is truly an investment in the next generation and the future of our communities.”
Partnering FFA chapters, Ag Moves staff members, and collegiate interns representing seven universities are delivering the curriculum statewide and achieving record impacts. The continuous growth of Ag Moves summer enrollment continues, expanding 30% this year. Multi-year partnerships, including engagements in the Kansas City, Columbia, St. Louis, and Jackson metro areas, prove that schools and communities find Ag Moves to be a worthwhile and effective addition to summer enrichment curriculum.
“Ag Moves builds agricultural literacy and inspires the next generation to value and support farming," said Mark Lehenbauer, chairman of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) and a soybean farmer from Palmyra. “Programs like this ensure soy remains a strong part of Missouri’s economy and food system for years to come.”
“By bringing farming and livestock topics into the classroom, the program helps students learn where their food comes from, the care and effort required to produce it, and the vital role agriculture plays in our communities and everyday lives,” says James Greer, chairman of the MFA Oil Foundation. “We’re proud to support a program that is helping cultivate a greater appreciation for agriculture among Missouri’s youth.”
Ag Moves engaged 13,682 elementary students in 2025, reaching approximately one sixth of Missouri third graders. Professional educators, collegiate interns, and 952 FFA partner educators who played a vital role in sharing Ag Moves at 219 schools. A list of schools and programs where receiving Ag Moves has been delivered programming this summer can be found here.
“Ag Moves helps students understand the many aspects of farming and the industries that support it. When we engage youth in agriculture, we’re investing in the future of what all of us do to grow food and fiber,” says MFA Inc. president and CEO Bob Huffman. “We’re bringing new perspective to future consumers and we’re inviting tomorrow’s work force and leaders to know that agriculture is a potential path for them.”
“Connecting classroom education with the realities of modern agriculture gives students a true appreciation for the hard work happening on Missouri farms,” says Rob Guinn, FCS Financial CEO. “Ag Moves does a fantastic job of sparking curiosity and teaching kids about the vital role agriculture plays in our economy and daily lives. We are proud to invest in a program that builds a strong foundation for our communities and inspires the next generation of leaders.”
The 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, fuel they use, and fiber they wear as they color their way through the farm. The free learning app is available on Google Play, Apple App Store and Amazon Appstore. Free, downloadable partner resources are available at https://www.agmoves.com/aeotmapp to provide additional summer fun and learning.
Ag Moves is funded by Missouri Farmers Care, a coalition of over 40 agriculture groups in Missouri. Support comes from Missouri soybean farmers and their checkoff, as well as the MFA Oil Foundation, FCS Financial, MFA Incorporated, the Missouri Beef Industry Council, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, The Poultry Federation, Vital Farms, the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board and partners across Missouri agriculture. To learn more or to become a partner, visit https://www.agmoves.com/
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AGRICULTURE EDUCATION ON THE MOVE™ (Ag Moves)
Ag Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves), a program of Missouri Farmers Care, is a proactive, educational effort that brings passionate, trained educators to the classroom to build agricultural literacy at elementary ages. The ten-week hands-on education program works to increase general understanding of agriculture through interactive educational experiences in the classroom and on the farm. https://www.agmoves.com/
MISSOURI FARMERS CARE FOUNDATION
Missouri Farmers Care Foundation enables Missourians to understand the influence and importance of agriculture in their daily lives by serving as the centralized hub of the unified educational programs, awards, and hunger relief efforts of Missouri's agricultural community. https://mofarmerscare.com/
MISSOURI FARMERS CARE
Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri's agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend. The coalition of more than 40 leading Missouri agricultural groups promotes the growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education and advocacy. https://mofarmerscare.com/