Missouri Rural Crisis Center

When our members show up, things happen!

MRCC members and allies from across Missouri gathered in Jefferson City on Wednesday to protest data centers. They carried signs. They shared stories. People from Montgomery, St. Louis, Kansas City, Calloway, Franklin Co., Warren, Jasper Co., and more stood shoulder to shoulder to make sure ALL voices are heard.

This is what people power looks like.

We’re proud of every MRCC member/supporter who spoke at the rally, flashed a sign, cheered a speaker, or showed up to stand strong with fellow Missourians. You are growing the movement. The fight against dirty data centers isn’t a one-community fight – it’s a Missouri fight, happening all across the state.

NOW is the time to get involved and add your voice. Join MRCC. Working together, we can stop data centers to protect Missouri farmland, water resources and rural communities.

STOP the Rush: Rural Communities Rally in Jefferson City
More than 100 citizens from 15 Missouri counties across the state gathered at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Jefferson City to deliver a simple message about data centers: STOP.

STOP sacrificing farmland.

STOP straining water resources.

STOP sidelining local communities.

Farmers, concerned citizens and rural residents came together to raise concerns about the potential impacts data centers pose to farmland, water, energy infrastructure and local communities as participants arrived at the private Local Government Data Center Summit.

One hundred voices. Fifteen counties. One message: STOP

We’re gathering….

Today, we're headed to Jefferson City to rally in opposition to irresponsible data centers. The "Demand Better" rally serves as a direct response to the public's exclusion from the Governor's Local Government Data Center Summit happening today, and the fact that Missourians who have a lot to lose when data centers come to town are being left out of decision making spaces on a regular basis.

We shared with you some pictures of our meetings on Capitol Hill, but we wanted you to know how much more there is to a DC fly-in than just the meetings. There is also the opportunity to gather and build power with the other groups that make up Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE). We meet all year long to make sure the work in our respective states complements and builds on what is being done by the other member groups. The CFFE Farmer Fly-In is a fellowship opportunity as well as a chance to strategize about how we "take the big swings" together and how we bring that work home to our own states. Big shout outs to , Illinois Stewardship Alliance , Land Stewardship Project , , , and for keeping us inspired, sharing resources, and holding down this sometimes heavy work in your corner of the world. Special thanks to Patty Lovera for keeping us all on track. The meetings are important but the work goes on all year.

It was a whirlwind week, and a successful DC farmer fly-in is in the books! We had numerous meetings on the Hill last week with members of our Congressional delegation (and their staffs), including both Senators Hawley and Schmitt, as well as Representatives Cleaver, Bell, and Burlison from Missouri, and members of the House Monopoly Busters Caucus. We were able to discuss the dire circumstances farmers are facing, and the need for bolder action than the House Farm Bill provides. We were proud to have our member leaders, Noah Earle and Leah Heidlage, on hand to talk about the impacts these policies have on their farms, in the grocery store aisles, and in their local communities!

This Memorial Day, we remember. We will never know all of their names, all of their stories, or all the loved ones left to mourn. But we know enough of their sacrifice to remember and be grateful. Our office will be closed in observance.

May is officially Beef Month in Missouri, and MRCC is celebrating all of the incredible local, independent family farmers, ranchers, and processors that call Missouri home, including our Executive & Founding Directors, Rhonda and Roger!

Missouri is ranked 3rd nationally in the number of cattle operations—creating more than 40,000 jobs and generating more than $2 billion in sales annually. When you go to the grocery store, you should know where your beef comes from and who you are supporting. With the current Farm Bill, country-of-origin labeling for beef is not required.

That's why we sent some MRCC staff and farmer members to Washington, D.C. to discuss what the Farm Bill should be in this critical time and to voice our concerns with the current House Farm Bill to our elected representatives.

Happy Beef Month, Missouri! To celebrate, Patchwork Family Farms has ground beef patties on sale for the rest of the month. Stock up today!

We’re off to Capitol Hill this morning with some of our farmer members to talk all things skinny Farm Bill, rural healthcare, data centers and more with our Congressional Delegation. It’s gonna be a hot day, but we’re used to it.