Students across Missouri are discovering how their lives are intertwined with agriculture through Missouri Farmers Care's Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves). Montgomery County FFA member educators are leading Montgomery City and Jonesburg elementary students through the Ag Moves curriculum as they make connections to their food, fuel, fibers and farmers today.

Ag Moves is a proactive, educational ten-week program. 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. Each lesson includes hands-on activities, allowing students to create soybean germination necklaces, make corn plastic, prepare butter, develop feed rations, construct soil profiles and more. Through this curriculum, students gain insights into Missouri farm families and the dedication of farmers and ranchers throughout the year.

"By empowering young educators and inspiring students through hands-on agricultural learning, we're not just teaching the origins of food and the impact of agriculture on daily life—we're cultivating confidence, communication, mentorship and leadership that can help shape the future," says Ag Moves program director, Heather Fletcher. "Ag Moves is an investment in the future of our communities." 

Expanding enrollment and multi-year partnerships prove that schools and communities find Ag Moves to be an engaging and effective addition to curriculum. Partners across Missouri agriculture believe Ag Moves is a great investment in future community leaders.

"By introducing consumers to the role of crops in their daily lives, we're building agricultural literacy and inspiring 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."

"Ag Education on the Move does a great job bringing farming into the classroom in a way that's fun and easy to understand," says James Greer, chairman of the MFA Oil Foundation. When kids get to dig in and learn where their food comes from, it opens their eyes to the role farming plays in their lives. We're proud to support a program that's helping build awareness and respect for agriculture at a young age."

"At MFA Incorporated, we believe agricultural literacy is foundational to strong rural communities," said the cooperative's president and CEO Bob Huffman. "We are committed to improve the communities where we do business, and Ag Moves not only introduces students to where their food comes from—it opens their eyes to the science, innovation and career opportunities that agriculture offers. We're proud to support a program that supports agriculture for the long run."

"Ag Moves helps students see firsthand how agriculture touches every part of their lives and communities," says Kate Lambert, Marketing Senior Vice President at FCS. "By connecting classroom learning to real-world agriculture, this program builds understanding, curiosity, and pride in Missouri's rural roots. Investing in Ag Moves aligns with our mission to strengthen the farmers, families, and communities that are the backbone of Missouri."

Ag Moves engaged over 12,600 elementary students in the 2024-25 school year, reaching one in six Missouri elementary students. FFA members, professional educators and collegiate interns deliver the curriculum in local schools. The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, which hosts Ag Moves, supplies curriculum, materials, and trained educators at no cost to participating schools. A list of elementary schools receiving Ag Moves programming this semester can be found here.

"The entire community benefits from Agriculture Education on the Move™ as local students discover the excitement of germinating seeds, learn the fundamentals of food production, and gain a new awareness of the agriculture surrounding them," said Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care. "The connections these students make this semester will shape their perspectives as future consumers. Agriculture is the $97 billion economic engine that drives Missouri's economy; many of these students will land careers in agriculture, food, and forestry down the road."

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 www.agmoves.com.