Local Agriculture

Missouri farmers are facing ongoing financial pressure from tariffs, trade disruptions, and rising costs. Farm advocate Joe Maxwell says a new $12 billion federal aid package offers limited relief and doesn’t fix underlying problems in the farm economy.

Business and out-of-state ownership of Illinois farmland has surged since 2005, driving up rent prices and limiting conservation practices. Unlike neighboring states, Illinois has no restrictions on corporate land purchases, raising concerns about rising costs, soil health, and long-term food security.