Promotion & Education
Promoting agriculture and educating the public about its importance is what we are all about. Insuring an accurate message about agriculture is delivered to those not involved in farming. This program works with teachers, students and Farm Bureau leaders in a variety of ways.
Events and Programs
YOUTH LEADERSHIP DAY
At Youth Leadership Day, students gain an understanding of the importance of becoming informed and involved citizens. Additionally they focus upon the agricultural and rural issues that impact our state.
The 19th Annual Missouri Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Day, March 28, 2013, attracted 335 students and chaperons from 55 counties. The action-packed day began early for many of the groups as they traveled from across the state to Jefferson City. Following a brief orientation at the MFB Home Office, they boarded buses to the Capitol. Chaperons arranged appointments for groups to meet with their respective elected officials. Students interacted with members of the General Assembly and got a firsthand look at the activities surrounding a day at the Capitol.
Following lunch at the MFB Home Office, the group was welcomed by Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst. Judge Duane Benton of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals shared insight into his background as an agricultural leader. 2013 MFB Ambassadors Haley Thompson and William Inglish spoke of the Ambassador program, shared highlights of their recent trip to Washington, D.C. with the Resolutions Committee and encouraged students present to look into this program.
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More than 325 high school students attend this one-day seminar in Jefferson City.
After a visit to the State Capital, students return to the MFB Center
to learn more about citizenship and involvement.
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THANK A FARMER WEEK
 Thank a Farmer Week, February 10-16, is a celebration of the U.S. food supply as provided by America’s farmers and ranchers. Within the first two months of the year, the average American will have earned enough income to pay for their annual food supply. It takes until late April to earn enough to pay for local, state, and federal taxes.
Despite increases in early 2009, food prices have stabilized and in some instances dropped. Much of the increase was related to the escalating cost of energy. Remember the crude oil price topping $140 per barrel impacting fuel prices? Add increased labor costs of approximately 19% to the mix and it all trickles down to the consumer in higher food prices.
Of every retail dollar spent for food, 81 cents goes for marketing expenses. This includes processing, packaging, wholesaling, distributing, transporting, and retailing food products. The remaining 19 cents goes back to the farmer who uses it to pay for operating costs in providing raw products for food. The farmer’s share is used to purchase farm equipment, fertilizer, fuel, seed, feed and other input costs.
Thank a Farmer Week is an appropriate time to ‘thank a farmer’! As a career, they have chosen to spend their livelihood providing food and fiber for our nation and abroad.
AGRICULTURAL SAFETY & AWARENESS PROGRAM (ASAP)
 For 2013, March 3-9 was designated as ASAP WEEK to remind farmers the importance of safety in their farming operation. Learn more.
To find more information on prevention & safety check out:
AG FOUNDATIONS & AG LITERACY
Farm Bureau offers several venues to build awareness, understanding, and a positive public perception of agriculture through education. Agriculture foundations help fund and promote ways to tell the story of agriculture. WebQuests, which can be found on this web site, enables teachers to incorporate agricultural themes in their lesson plans. To learn more about what Farm Bureau is doing for ag literacy, explore the links below.
You can help us promote ag education by donating to the foundations listed. Your donations help fund Mini Grant projects, scholarships, and agricultural literacy projects.
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