Missouri implements relief measures for agriculture industry

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has signed Executive Order 26-19 to provide relief to the state’s agriculture industry facing rising input costs for fertilizer and diesel fuel. The order declares a State of Emergency, allowing the temporary use of dyed diesel fuel on state highways for agricultural purposes and increasing allowable weight limitations for commercial vehicles to improve transportation efficiency.

Separately, rising financial pressures are driving some Missouri producers to seek alternative revenue streams. As the number of farms in Missouri decreased by over 7,000 between 2017 and 2022 according to USDA data, some ranchers are transitioning portions of their land into farm stays and visitor experiences. To support this trend, the American Farmland Trust and Airbnb are launching the ‘Farm to Stay Grant Program,’ which will offer up to 30 grants of $10,000 each to help farmers and ranchers establish or expand diverse income sources.