Cultivate KC Joins Statewide Local Farm & Food Advocacy Day in Missouri

Cultivate KC was proud to join with 15 organizations and nearly 100 individuals from across Missouri for a day of collective action and advocacy at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. Family farmers, both rural and urban, along with advocates for a strong local food system, came together to urge Missouri’s lawmakers to champion policies that invest in local and regional food infrastructure, expand access to capital and land, promote fair and competitive markets, support using locally grown food in schools, hospitals and state facilities, and align agriculture, economic development, and public health policy.  

The advocacy day kicked off with speakers who lifted up the value of local agriculture in our state and reminded the group that we are powerful together. Special thank you to Representatives Emily Weber and Yolanda Young, and Senators Tracy McCreery and Barbara Ann Washington for the warm welcome and reminder that the Capitol is the people’s house and the legislators work for us. Wes Shoemyer, former State Senator and board member of Farm Action Fund, recalled farmer protests of the past and rallied around the importance of showing up collectively.  

2026 Local Farm and Food Advocacy Day organizers included Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, Cultivate KC, Empower Missouri, Farm Action Fund, The Food Circle, Heartland Food Business Coalition, Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, KC Farm School at Gibbs Road, Known and Grown, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Missouri Farmers Union, Missouri Farmers Market Association, Missouri Rural Crisis Center, New Growth, and Springfield Community Gardens.  

Many other organizations and farmers like Urban Produce Push KC, the Kansas City Food Hub, Mid America Regional Council, Antioch Urban Growers, and passionate supporters showed up to make their voices heard. The Kansas City team visited with the offices of more than 30 State Senators and Representatives in the greater KC metro area calling for support of family farms – both urban and rural – who feed our community, as well as for continued investment in programs that help everyone access fresh, local food.  

Left: Representative Yolanda Young addresses the group, Right: The Missouri State House floor

The group’s core message was that Missouri has the land, talent, and community commitment to build a thriving local food economy. With strong state leadership, we can keep family farmers on the land, strengthen our state’s economy, and ensure every Missourian has everyday access to healthy, locally produced food. 

Special thanks to the legislative aides of Representative Yolanda Young and Representative Emily Weber for support with event logistics.  

Left: Representative Emily Weber and Ami Freeberg, CKC Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Right: Missouri Capitol Building