Governor Parson Proclaims FFA Week in Missouri

On behalf of nearly 26,000 members of Missouri FFA, Governor Mike Parson proclaimed Feb. 18-25, 2023, to be National FFA Week in Missouri.

“Missouri’s agriculture industry depends on our young people taking the lead,” Governor Mike Parson said. “We’re proud to see such leadership displayed in Missouri FFA members each time we meet with them. For the First Lady and I, living the agricultural way of life is our American Dream, and we appreciate all that our Missouri FFA members do to preserve that legacy and tradition for the next generations.”

For the fifth year in a row, Gov. Parson drove a John Deere tractor to the Capitol in honor of the FFA tradition of students driving their tractor to school during National FFA Week. Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe joined in on the tradition again this year, demonstrating his ties to agriculture and commitment to FFA students. Missouri FFA President Colton Roy, from the Trenton FFA Chapter, received the proclamation on behalf of the 2022-2023 Missouri FFA State Officer team.

“Missouri FFA members have access to incredible opportunities to learn and grow,” Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe said. “As a first-generation farmer, I am proud to celebrate the future of Missouri agriculture with our next generation of leaders during National FFA Week in Missouri. It’s important we continue traditions, such as Feb 24th’s event, to showcase our support of agricultural youth organizations.”

In 1928, 33 young men met at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas City, Mo., and began the National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA). On Feb 24th, the organization’s official name is the National FFA Organization, which 95 years later is represented locally by 8,995 FFA chapters and 850,823 members nationwide. 

“The passion FFA members possess is indescribable,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “Their excitement for the future of agriculture is reassuring. I’m confident Missouri FFA members will help the Missouri agriculture industry soar to new heights in the years to come, and I’m proud to stand alongside them as they do so.”

Missouri FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet the challenges of feeding a growing population by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways through their experiences in agricultural education. Missouri is home to more than 356 chapters and 25,677 members, ranking the eighth highest in the nation for membership.

“Missouri schools work to provide students with access to opportunities, and FFA does just that,” said Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Margie Vandeven. “FFA has a rich history of helping students develop their skills and the attributes needed to be ready for their chosen path to success. We are proud of our students and the FFA Advisors who lead alongside them each day.”

To learn more about the Missouri FFA Association, visit MissouriFFA.org.

MU to Host Cattle Grading Workshop

University of Missouri Extension will hold a free cattle grading workshop from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, at South Central Regional Stockyards in Vienna.

“Producers may wonder how their cattle grade as compared to others and how this affects their price,” said Anita Ellis, an MU Extension livestock specialist in Fulton. The workshop will help cattle producers determine the grade of their animals.

Tony Hancock, Missouri Department of Agriculture reporter, will explain and evaluate different feeder calf and cull cow grades. Live animals will be used to explain grade differences and differences in cull cows.

MU Extension ag business specialist Rachel Hopkins will talk with producers about feeder calf scenarios and different ways to add value to cull cows.

Register at muext.us/CattleGradingWorkshop or call MU Extension in Maries County at (573) 422-3359. Registration deadline is Friday, March 10.

For questions, contact Rachel Hopkins at 573-438-2671 or [email protected].

There is no charge for this program.

Succession Planning Workshop Series

Free farm succession planning workshops from University of Missouri Extension can help Missourians guide their family farming businesses to the next generation.

To help families start the succession planning process and initiate communication, MU Extension will hold Preparing for Farm Succession Planning workshops across the state in March. Six workshops will be in-person events and one will be held online via Zoom.

“Having the difficult conversations and engaging in intentional communication are critical components of this process,” said MU Extension agricultural business specialist Wesley Tucker. “Our team is here to offer resources that can equip families for these conversations and help them protect the business and family harmony.”

Workshops will cover four major themes of transition: minimizing conflict, family meetings and communication, short-term operation plans and preparing for the next generation of management and ownership.

“Unlike estate plans, which are often set into motion after a funeral, succession plans should be proactive and not event-dependent,” Tucker said. “Our farm succession planning workshops give attendees a road map for preparing a plan that fits their farming operation’s unique situation.”

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has partnered with MU Extension to provide funding and programming for the workshop series.

“Unfortunately, few farm-family businesses have a plan for transitioning the operation to the next generation,” said Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “Missouri is blessed with numerous family businesses in the agriculture industry, and we’d like to keep it that way for years to come. I’m proud of the strides our department is making in conjunction with MU Extension and other local partners to coordinate workshops that help family businesses develop successful succession plans.”

“Starting the process, even just starting the conversation, around succession planning is intimidating for people,” said Kate Lambert, vice president of marketing at FCS Financial, another partner in the workshop series.  “These workshops will help attendees walk away with a clear idea of what questions need to be asked and what steps need to be taken. We are proud to help bring these events to local communities because these conversations are crucial for the success, and succession, of Missouri agriculture.”

The Preparing for Farm Succession Planning workshops are no-cost events, but registration is encouraged as FCS Financial will provide meals at each location. Learn more at muext.us/ABPevents.

Workshop dates and locations:

March 6 – Cook Station, 6-8:30 p.m.

March 7 – Hannibal, noon-2:30 p.m.

March 9 – Nevada, noon-2:30 p.m.

March 10 – St. Joseph, noon-2:30 p.m.

March 13 – Marshfield, 6-8:30 p.m.

March 15 – Poplar Bluff, 5:30-8 p.m.

March 16 – Online, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.