Missouri Rural Crisis Center

Missouri Rural Crisis Center Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC) is a statewide farm & rural advocacy organization.

The Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC) is a statewide farm and rural membership organization the supports and fights to keep Missouri family farmers, good food, and rural communities.

We shared with you some pictures of our meetings on Capitol Hill, but we wanted you to know how much more there is to a ...
05/29/2026

We shared with you some pictures of our meetings on Capitol Hill, but we wanted you to know how much more there is to a DC fly-in than just the meetings. There is also the opportunity to gather and build power with the other groups that make up Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE). We meet all year long to make sure the work in our respective states complements and builds on what is being done by the other member groups. The CFFE Farmer Fly-In is a fellowship opportunity as well as a chance to strategize about how we "take the big swings" together and how we bring that work home to our own states. Big shout outs to , Illinois Stewardship Alliance , Land Stewardship Project , , , and for keeping us inspired, sharing resources, and holding down this sometimes heavy work in your corner of the world. Special thanks to Patty Lovera for keeping us all on track. The meetings are important but the work goes on all year.

It was a whirlwind week, and a successful DC farmer fly-in is in the books! We had numerous meetings on the Hill last we...
05/28/2026

It was a whirlwind week, and a successful DC farmer fly-in is in the books! We had numerous meetings on the Hill last week with members of our Congressional delegation (and their staffs), including both Senators Hawley and Schmitt, as well as Representatives Cleaver, Bell, and Burlison from Missouri, and members of the House Monopoly Busters Caucus. We were able to discuss the dire circumstances farmers are facing, and the need for bolder action than the House Farm Bill provides. We were proud to have our member leaders, Noah Earle and Leah Heidlage, on hand to talk about the impacts these policies have on their farms, in the grocery store aisles, and in their local communities!

This Memorial Day, we remember. We will never know all of their names, all of their stories, or all the loved ones left ...
05/24/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember. We will never know all of their names, all of their stories, or all the loved ones left to mourn. But we know enough of their sacrifice to remember and be grateful. Our office will be closed in observance.

May is officially Beef Month in Missouri, and MRCC is celebrating all of the incredible local, independent family farmer...
05/20/2026

May is officially Beef Month in Missouri, and MRCC is celebrating all of the incredible local, independent family farmers, ranchers, and processors that call Missouri home, including our Executive & Founding Directors, Rhonda and Roger!

Missouri is ranked 3rd nationally in the number of cattle operations—creating more than 40,000 jobs and generating more than $2 billion in sales annually. When you go to the grocery store, you should know where your beef comes from and who you are supporting. With the current Farm Bill, country-of-origin labeling for beef is not required.

That's why we sent some MRCC staff and farmer members to Washington, D.C. to discuss what the Farm Bill should be in this critical time and to voice our concerns with the current House Farm Bill to our elected representatives.

Happy Beef Month, Missouri! To celebrate, Patchwork Family Farms has ground beef patties on sale for the rest of the month. Stock up today!

We’re off to Capitol Hill this morning with some of our farmer members to talk all things skinny Farm Bill, rural health...
05/20/2026

We’re off to Capitol Hill this morning with some of our farmer members to talk all things skinny Farm Bill, rural healthcare, data centers and more with our Congressional Delegation. It’s gonna be a hot day, but we’re used to it.

05/16/2026

The Farm Bill is a complicated piece of legislation with a huge impact on our food system, over the next few days, we will try to simplify and explain what the Farm Bill historically is, where we are, and what is different about trying to negotiate a better Farm Bill now, and what we are doing to fight for the best Farm Bill for independent family farmers.

Volunteer Spotlight on Montgomery County today! Thank you so much to the 40 volunteers who turned out at the Montgomery ...
05/08/2026

Volunteer Spotlight on Montgomery County today! Thank you so much to the 40 volunteers who turned out at the Montgomery City Library to help us stuff thousands of mailings to their fellow county residents. We can't wait to see what we hear back!

Here's what MRCC member, Karen Knowles, had to say: "I feel that our fellow citizens should have a voice regarding the data centers. When I heard the Missouri Rural Crisis Center was going to send out a survey to the registered voters of Montgomery County, I knew I wanted to help stuff envelopes. When I arrived I joined over 30 Montgomery Countians working an assembly line preparing envelopes for mailing. I enjoyed working alongside old friends and new acquaintances. I love how our community comes together to try to keep our county rural."

05/07/2026

40 years ago today, John Mellencamp traveled to Chillicothe, MO, to join farmers blocking the local Farmers Home Administration office in what became the longest farmer protest in the US! Organized by MRCC, the 145-day blockade brought together a multiracial working-class coalition of civil rights, labor and farm activists to demand action for farm families facing bankruptcy. Two new episodes of the Farm Aid podcast, Against the Grain, share the story of the blockade, what led to it and what it accomplished. Thanks to Farm Aid for helping us highlight what this day in 1986 meant for the movement, for MRCC and for generations of farmers to come.

Listen to both episodes now at https://www.farmaid.org/against-the-grain-podcast/chillicothe-40-years-later-part-one/

📢Join us for Homestead and Small Scale Specialty Crop Field Days and Farm Tours around the Kansas City metro, focusing o...
05/06/2026

📢Join us for Homestead and Small Scale Specialty Crop Field Days and Farm Tours around the Kansas City metro, focusing on how NRCS EQIP and CSP programs can assist small farmers! Learn from farmers who have utilized the cost-share programs, NRCS conservation planners who implement the programs, and walk through mock site visits to understand what enrollment looks like. These events are free, but registration is required. We'll be posting more about each event but you can find full details at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/7GumT3vLc1

Missouri is such a diverse state, even when it comes to our rural communities! As we come to the close of , we're shout...
04/24/2026

Missouri is such a diverse state, even when it comes to our rural communities! As we come to the close of , we're shouting out our volunteers from all corners of the state!

With input and feedback from members like Dan, who lives in Southeast Missouri, we are working hard every day to assure we are centering issues that impact ALL of us!

“I was honored to be asked to serve on the MRCC Health Care Committee. Part of my youth was spent in Ozark Hill country, and I know the challenges of receiving proper health care in rural Missouri. What I like most about the committee is its pro-active approach to crucial health issues being considered at the State Capitol. It was gratifying to be a part of the mini-lobby day where we met with state Senators on the disastrous impact of the Medicaid reform bill currently under consideration." - Dan Diedriech

Thank you to Dan and all of our amazing volunteers who put their time and talents into making our work meaningful and powerful. You're invaluable to the MRCC family.

Address

1906 Monroe Street
Columbia, MO
65201

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

573.449.1336

Website

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