Missouri Farm Bureau Federation and Affiliated Companies 701 South Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102 • Voice (573) 893-1468 • Fax (573) 893-1855 • www.mofb.org For more information, contact: Jennifer Poindexter, Director of Promotion & Education, (573) 893-1414 FOR RELEASE UP THROUGH March 7, 2026

Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week Celebrates

(Higginsville, MO ) – Our changing economy illustrates how agriculture impacts our lives now more than ever. Farmers and ranchers provide the food, feed, fuel and fiber that serves consumers in Missouri and around the globe. Thanks to Missouri farmers, consumers have can also find locally sourced food and goods. Consumers around the world enjoy what our farmers and ranchers produce.

Missouri Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus throughout the state are joining forces to celebrate the importance of agriculture from March 1-7 during Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week!

According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, “A 2021 study of the economic contribution of Missouri agriculture and forestry showed that agriculture is a $93.7 billion industry.” Missouri agriculture employs almost 460,000 people.

The state is ranked in the top 10 for 12 commodities including, number of farms, goats, beef cattle, poultry, hay, rice and cotton.

With all that they produce, it is remarkable that farm and ranch families account for less than two percent of the U.S. population. Across the United States, there are two million farms with 3.4 million farm operators. This number includes owners, their families, hired workers, tenants and renters or sharecroppers. Many farms today find multiple generations working together to produce food and fiber.

So, join Farm Bureau as we Celebrate agriculture and Thank a Farmer. “Agriculture is important to our daily lives and our community. Because 98 percent of the population doesn’t farm, it is easy to take for granted the importance of our farmers,” David Salyer, Lafayette County President says. “Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week is a great time to recognize the important contribution made by farmers!”

First Planning meetings for the Community Bible Festival 2026

It is time to make plans for the 2026 version of the Community Bible festival. The date of the festival is set for July 25, 2026. I am extremely pleased to announce that Marty Silvey will be co-chairing the event with me!

The first meetings will be on February 24, one at 10:00am and another at 6:00pm, both at Grace United Methodist Church. The meetings are set up to try to accommodate individual’s schedules and you will only need to attend one.

The meetings after that will be March 19, 10:00am and 6:00pm.

I hope to see you there and bring friends!