Every year on Earth Day, Missourians are reminded to look around and appreciate the natural beauty we’re blessed with, from rolling pastures, to winding streams and the fields that feed our communities. But here in farm country, we know something simple and true: Earth Day isn’t just about what we see above ground; it’s about what’s happening beneath our boots.
That’s why the renewal of Missouri’s Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax matters so much. This one-tenth-of-one-percent sales tax might be small at the register, but its impact across our state is significant. First approved by voters in 1984, and consistently renewed with strong bipartisan support, this funding mechanism has become the backbone of Missouri’s soil and water conservation efforts by providing cost-share incentives for landowners who invest in soil and water improvement projects.
For farmers and ranchers, this policy is a practical, boots-on-the-ground partnership. Through Missouri’s Soil and Water Conservation Program, supported by this tax, local conservation districts in all 114 counties work directly with landowners to implement voluntary, commonsense conservation practices. These include everything from rotational grazing systems to erosion control structures and nutrient management plans. The results speak for themselves. Since the tax was first enacted, Missouri has prevented the loss of over 194 million tons of soil. Soil that stays where it belongs: on our farms, producing crops, supporting livestock production, and sustaining livelihoods. That’s not just conservation; that’s economic sense.
Healthy soil means stronger yields, more resilient farms and cleaner water for every Missourian downstream. It means fewer nutrients washing into rivers, better drought resistance and land that can be passed on to the next generation in better shape than we found it.
And importantly, this program works because it respects farmers. Participation is voluntary. Solutions are local. Decisions are made by neighbors helping neighbors.
On Earth Day, it’s easy to think of soil preservation as something new or trendy. But Missouri farmers have been practicing stewardship for generations. The Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax simply gives us the tools to keep doing what we’ve always done: care for the land so it can care for us.
It’s also worth remembering that this tax doesn’t just support agriculture. It helps maintain and provide free access to our state parks and historic sites, ensuring that all Missourians can enjoy the outdoors and connect with our state’s natural heritage. In that way, it’s a shared investment in Missouri’s future and our past.
So, as we celebrate Earth Day, it is worth keeping both perspective and purpose in mind. Conservation isn’t automatic. It requires steady commitment, strong partnerships and continued investment. Renewing the Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax remains one of the most straightforward and effective ways to support that work. Because in Missouri, caring for the land isn’t just something we recognize once a year; it is a responsibility we carry every day.
To ensure future generations can enjoy the natural resources we celebrate on Earth Day, MOFB encourages voters to vote yes on Amendment 1 to renew the Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax this year.
