Growing up, my mom and dad never shied away from giving me advice. One piece of advice that I find myself repeating to my kids is: “pick your friends wisely. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” A quick Google search attributes that quote to motivational speaker Jim Rohn, but the truth is that my parents shared this with me a lot.

From youth through adulthood, these words of advice are solid, as it is also true of organizations that you choose to join. We all join organizations for various reasons. It might be to get a free gift or discount code, or my favorite: join and you will get a mystery box every month with something in it that will surely change your life. Despite the giveaway, the organizations that offer us the most value are the ones that share a common set of beliefs. Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) serves as the unified voice of agriculture.

Missouri Farm Bureau is directed and guided by grassroots members and is financed through voluntary dues. Our priorities are set by our rural volunteer members. What does all of this mean? It means that MOFB provides value and impact in several ways:

  • Advocating for farmers and ranchers at the local level, in Jefferson City and in Washington, D.C. to advance agriculture and strengthen our rural communities
  • Growing agricultural education outreach programs that develop the next generation of leaders through Ag in the Classroom, scholarships, grants for teachers and more
  • Cultivating conversation, community engagement, and leadership development programs that serve both new and experienced farmers
  • Providing members access to exclusive services, including quality insurance, MOFB Health Plans, market insights, benefits and discounts

At just $30 per year, MOFB provides a lot of value for your dollar. We have a track record of more than 111 years, advocating for rural Missouri, and with a statewide membership of nearly 158,000, we are able to bring together some great member benefit partners who make your membership even more valuable.

As an MOFB member, you can save hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars each year. We have exclusive deals with nationwide brands like Choice Hotels, Drury Hotels, Silver Dollar City, White Water, Ford Motor Company, John Deere, Case IH, Grainger, Caterpillar and many more. As an added convenience, you have access to our member benefit app, “Perks Plus,” that allows you to save on gift cards, movies, your favorite restaurants, shopping and services that you use every day and every week.

MOFB is more than an organization you might join to save a few dollars; it is truly a community with members in all 114 Missouri counties. From farmers to educators and small business owners, the connections and networking opportunities are unmatched. Members are supported from their local board to the state level, and their voices are heard.

You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep and the organizations they choose to join. As MOFB President Garrett Hawkins puts it: “At just $30 a year, it’s a smart investment in your family, your community and your future. The real question isn’t why you should join; it’s how can you afford not to?”