Agriculture education impacts Canton R-V’s future this summer

CANTON, Mo. — Canton R-V elementary students have enjoyed hands-on lessons about agriculture during enrichment programming this summer. The school partnered with Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves) to provide students with ten foundational lessons on agriculture topics, teaching students that their food comes from farms and the products used in everyday life come from agriculture. These lessons also made a difference in the life of Ag Moves educator, Emma Fountain, as she helped Canton’s future consumers make connections to their food, fuel, fibers and farmers today.

Heather Fletcher, program director of Ag Moves, expressed the value of agriculture education in elementary classrooms.

In a press release, Fletcher said, “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 of our communities. Ag Moves is an investment in the future of our communities. We are thrilled with every opportunity to incorporate Ag Moves lessons into summer classes, and look forward to returning each year.”

Canton R-V elementary students were among more than 4,300 Missouri students that participated in Ag Moves, a proactive, educational effort that brings passionate, trained educators into classrooms across Missouri to build agricultural literacy at elementary ages. During the STEM focused program, students learn about crops, livestock, soil and water conservation, nutrition and careers in agriculture through a curriculum which meets grade-level-appropriate state learning objectives in the areas of science, math, social studies and language arts.

During the Ag Moves lessons, students make soybean germination necklaces, corn plastic, butter, animal feed rations and soil profiles to make their learning interactive and fun. Students are exposed to real Missouri farm families and learn about their dedication, compassion, sacrifice, and work ethic on the farm. Ag Moves is provided at no cost to schools or enrichment programs by the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation.

Multi-year partnerships prove that educators 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.

Ag Moves’ continuous growth has resulted in a 57% enrollment increase over the last three years. Its 2025 summer impact alone reached 16% more students compared to successful efforts last summer. A portion of this growth can be attributed to the expansion of the Ag Moves collegiate educator program. The collective efforts of 28 young educators made it possible for the summer program to expand to every region of the state this year. Through extensive partnerships, Ag Moves had a positive influence in the lives of more than 12,600 Missouri elementary students during the 2024-2025 school year.

“Connecting students with agricultural education through Ag Moves creates immense value to students and communities,” says Ashley McCarty, Missouri Farmers Care executive director. “Students experience the thrill of germinating seeds, understand the basics of how farmers grow their food and see, many for the first time, the agriculture all around them. Agriculture is the $97 billion economic engine that drives Missouri’s economy; many of these students will land in careers in agriculture, food, and forestry down the road.”

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 as they color their way through the farm. The free app is available on Google Play, Apple App Store and Amazon App store at https://www.agmoves.com/aeotmapp. Additional free, downloadable partner resources are available at www.agmoves.com/resources to provide additional summer fun and learning.

Ag Moves is funded through Missouri Farmers Care, a coalition of more than 40 Missouri agriculture groups. Missouri soybean farmers and their checkoff, the MFA Oil Foundation, FCS Financial and MFA Incorporated, support the program along with contributions from Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Vital Farms, The Poultry Federation and the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board.

To learn more, invite the program into your school, support the program, or to become a partner, visit www.agmoves.com.