❤️ Standing With Every Family Hit by Floods and Wildfires
To everyone dealing with the destruction from recent flooding or wildfires—we see you, and we stand with you. If you’ve lost a loved one during these disasters, your pain matters. You’re not alone, and we won’t look away.
Here’s where things are hitting hardest right now:
🗽 New York (NYC, Long Island, Hudson Valley)
Torrential rains on July 31 flooded subways, highways, and basements. Cars were underwater on the Clearview Expressway. Emergency crews were overwhelmed. People are still cleaning up, still recovering. People.com YouTube Video
🌧️ Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, D.C.
Flash floods from a slow-moving storm system swept across the region. A 13-year-old boy in Maryland was pulled into a storm drain and died. AP News
🔥 Arizona & Utah
The Dragon Bravo and Monroe Canyon wildfires are still burning. Thousands of acres gone. Families displaced. Smoke spreading across the region.
🌊 Texas (especially Dallas) & New Mexico
Dallas is flooding now—21 roads closed and more rain expected today. Flash Flood Warnings are in effect. In July, over 100 people died in Central Texas during deadly flash floods. Houston Chronicle
🌫️ Smoke Across the Midwest
Wildfire smoke from Washington and Canada is choking the air in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Air quality alerts remain in effect. Especially dangerous for kids, the elderly, and folks with health issues. CBS News
We don’t need empty promises—we need leaders who invest in early warning systems, rural emergency response, and real infrastructure upgrades.
If you’re organizing help in your area, drop it in the comments. Let’s back each other up.
By Ricky Dana • Published July 31, 2025, 9:07 PM CT
🧑🌾 Missouri Feed Prices as of July 31, 2025
Farmers across Missouri are watching feed prices closely. Right now, some by-product feeds are affordable. Here are a few examples:
Dried Distillers Grain (DDG): $139–173 per ton (various Missouri suppliers)
Corn Gluten Feed, Pelleted: $140–198 per ton
14% Cattle Commodity Feed: $207 per ton – Ste. Genevieve, MO
Calcium Carbonate (Feed Grade): $57.50 per ton
Soy Hulls, Pelleted: $110–150 per ton
Confectionery Sugar: $500 per ton – Quincy, IL
Crude Cottonseed Oil: $796 per ton – Brownfield, TX
These feeds can help lower costs if you’re buying in bulk or hauling short distances. It’s a good time to shop around.
⚠️ Why New Tariffs Could Hurt
In July 2025, the Trump administration added new tariffs on goods from many countries. These are extra taxes on imports—but when other countries fight back, they often raise tariffs on our exports.
Missouri exports a lot of grain-based feeds and dairy. If countries like Mexico or China raise taxes on our farm goods, we could lose big markets. That means extra supply here in Missouri and lower prices at home.
Even if feed costs stay steady, low selling prices mean smaller profits for our farms. These tariffs could really hurt rural communities.
✅ What You Can Do
🗓️ Check the Missouri feed price list often. It’s updated weekly.
📢 Call your lawmakers. Let them know these trade fights hurt real farmers.
🧾 Look into group buying or co-op pricing to stretch your feed dollars.
📉 Watch export news. If big buyers stop buying, local prices will drop.
As your future Congressman, I’ll always speak up for Missouri farmers. We don’t need more politics—we need smart trade that works for the people who feed this country.
Simplified Summary:
I lay out five practical ways to grow trade for Missouri farm goods and livestock—both at home and overseas—without raising taxes or using gimmicks.
1. Build Stronger Local Markets
Missouri farmers need steady, local buyers who pay fair prices. We can build strong local trade by:
Expanding Missouri Grown: This program connects farmers with restaurants, schools, and grocers. It also supports agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales. Learn more.
Growing Farm-to-School: Schools and childcare centers can get reimbursed for buying specialty crops from Missouri farmers—up to $4,000 per district. More here.
Expanding State-Inspected Processing: Local meat and poultry processors can sell in-state, creating jobs and keeping value in Missouri. Details here.
2. Grow Our Export Markets
We already export billions in farm goods, but we can do more—especially for small and mid-sized producers.
Use State Export Services: The Missouri Department of Agriculture helps farmers connect with foreign buyers and navigate export rules. Export help.
Apply for MAP Funding: USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) pays up to 50% of overseas marketing costs. Program info.
Work with SUSTA: The Southern U.S. Trade Association supports small producers in foreign markets. Explore SUSTA.
Join Export Councils: Missouri District Export Council and Food Export–Midwest offer education, grants, and connections.
MODEC |
Food Export
3. Invest in Better Ports and Roads
We’re centrally located, but that only helps if we can move product quickly and affordably.
Grow the Ag Coast: St. Louis’s 15-mile barge hub is the most efficient in the country. Let’s use it to ship more grain and livestock feed.
Partner with the Freightway: The St. Louis Regional Freightway prioritizes ag shipping projects—rail, roads, and terminals.
4. Use Smart Funding and Partnerships
Farmers don’t need handouts—they need fair access to resources already on the books.
Expand Access to Grants and Loans: USDA and state programs offer loans, storage help, and cost-sharing for upgrades.
Leverage Mizzou Research: MU Extension helps with drought-tolerant crops, yield improvements, and value-added product ideas.
Convene Quarterly Roundtables: Bring together farmers, shippers, exporters, and state officials to solve problems and share best practices.
5. Fix Policy Barriers
Most producers are stuck behind red tape while corporations skate by. We can fix that.
Appoint an Ag Export Coordinator: One person at MDA should lead trade strategy, cut delays, and support producers directly.
Create a Missouri Export Accelerator Fund: A $1 million fund could help small producers pay for certifications, packaging, or international marketing.
Push for Tariff Relief and Easier Export Rules: Missouri should work with the U.S. Trade Representative to open new markets and reduce costs.
Final Word
Our farmers don’t need more speeches. They need ports that work, buyers who pay fair prices, and policy that puts rural Missouri first. With the right steps, Missouri can lead the nation in honest, profitable trade—for every farm, not just the big ones.
By Ricky Dana
Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Missouri-4
Original policy concept publicly posted on this blog: July 31, 2025 at 10:35 AM CST
Our family farms are the beating heart of Missouri’s economy—but too many of them are struggling to keep the lights on, keep the land in the family, and keep food on the table for the rest of us.
As your next Congressman, I’ve been working on a farm tax credit plan designed to ease the burden on family farmers and help protect Missouri agriculture for future generations. I’m keeping the specifics locked down for now—for a very good reason.
Too often, good policy ideas get hijacked by politicians who had nothing to do with creating them. This post is here as a digital marker: a public timestamp to show who was working on this first. Remember this date: July 31, 2025. If others start parroting this idea later, you’ll know exactly where it came from.
This policy is built by and for rural Missourians. It’s not about giveaways. It’s about fairness—helping farmers who work hard every day and ensuring our food systems stay local, strong, and rooted in family-owned land. No handouts for corporate megafarms. No favors for foreign land buyers. No patience for lobbyists writing the rules.
It’s about time we had someone in Congress who’s actually from here—someone who knows the difference between a tractor and a talking point. I’m that person, and I’m not waiting around to bring real change home.
If you’re ready to fight for Missouri’s farmers with someone who’s lived that life, I’d be proud to have your support.
– Ricky Dana
Candidate for U.S. House, Missouri’s 4th District
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Missouri-4
Original policy concept publicly posted on this blog: July 31, 2025 at 10:35 AM CST
Housing costs are skyrocketing. Wages aren’t keeping up. And in too many Missouri towns—rural or urban—families are struggling to find a safe, affordable place to call home.
The worst part? We keep hearing there’s no solution unless we raise taxes or add to the national debt.
I don’t buy that—and neither should you.
That’s why I’m proposing the Build Missouri First initiative: a real plan that delivers housing for working Missourians without borrowing a dime from our kids’ future.
Here’s how we get there:
🏡 Unlock Public Land for Housing
Missouri counties hold thousands of vacant, tax-delinquent, or federally owned lots—just sitting there. No homes, no tax base, no purpose.
We can work with HUD, the Missouri Treasurer, and local land banks to repurpose that land for housing. No purchase cost. Just smart use of what we already have.
It’s time we put that land to work for the people.
🏗️ Build Modular—Faster, Smarter, Cheaper
Traditional construction is slow and expensive. But modular housing—factory-built and assembled on site—is:
✅ Up to 50% cheaper
✅ Built in weeks, not months
✅ Easier to scale in rural areas
Missouri can create local modular housing plants by repurposing old warehouses or unused factories. That creates jobs and homes at the same time.
We also partner with community colleges and trade schools to train workers for these high-demand jobs—boosting our workforce while solving the housing crisis.
🔑 Lease-to-Own Instead of Handouts
We don’t need more dead-end rent traps. We need ownership.
This plan uses a lease-to-own model:
Residents pay below-market rent
After 10–15 years, they own the home
Their payments help pay back construction costs and fund maintenance
It’s sustainable. It’s fair. It works.
🏘️ Modernize Zoning for a Modern Missouri
Outdated zoning rules drive up home prices. Let’s fix that.
With state incentives and infrastructure grants, we can help towns update their zoning to allow:
Smaller lots
Accessory dwelling units
Duplexes and triplexes
Faster permitting
That means more housing, less red tape.
🤝 Power of Partnerships (Not Federal Debt)
We don’t need more bloated federal programs. We need partnerships.
We’ll bring in private foundations, local credit unions, community banks, and major retailers to help with zero-interest loans and rural housing grants—especially for seniors, veterans, and working families.
No national debt increase. Just neighbors helping neighbors.
🔨 Labor for Housing
Many Missourians are willing to put in the work.
That’s why we’ll launch a sweat equity program—where residents can earn down payment credits by helping build or maintain their future homes.
Paint it. Landscape it. Live in it.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t a handout. It’s a hand-up.
We can solve Missouri’s housing crisis without raising taxes, increasing the debt, or waiting on Washington to get its act together.
We just have to build smarter—and build for us.
I’m Ricky Dana. I’m not a career politician. I’m a Missouri-grown problem solver. And I believe we can build the future our families deserve—starting with a home they can afford.
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House – Missouri’s 4th District
Listening First, Then Acting
I was born and raised right here in rural Missouri. I know what it means when the local hospital closes down, when the bridge to town gets shut down, or when the only factory in town lays folks off. Our district has been left behind for too long—but I’m here to change that with practical ideas and Missouri-grown common sense.
Since day one, I’ve been listening to farmers, teachers, veterans, and small business owners. I’ve walked your roads, stood in your fields, and sat at your kitchen tables. I know the problems we’re facing—and I’ve already started writing the legislation to fix them.
I’m proud to say that I’ve drafted several bills ready to go on Day One. These cover:
Expanding rural healthcare access
Strengthening local agriculture and protecting family farms
Fixing broken roads and bridges
Boosting trade with smart, Missouri-first export programs
Bringing reliable, fast internet to every rural household
Keeping our water clean and our land protected
Real Work, Not Just Talk
I’m not waiting to get elected to start working. I’ve already met with local leaders and ag experts to make sure what we’re doing matches what our district truly needs. From flood repair programs to new farmer training, we’re laying the groundwork right now.
Jobs, Broadband, and Local Infrastructure
I believe in investing in our people—not in padding Washington’s pockets. That means:
Creating local jobs by repairing infrastructure and expanding clean energy options
Helping small towns qualify for federal broadband grants
Cutting red tape so family farms and local producers can compete
Working for All of Us
Some folks in Washington forget who they work for. I haven’t. I believe in representing every voice, every farm, every small town in this district. No matter who you voted for, I’ll work hard for you. Because that’s the Missouri way.
We can’t wait around for someone else to fix things. We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and do it ourselves—together.
Let’s Rebuild Rural Missouri
This campaign isn’t about politics. It’s about purpose. And my purpose is clear: get rural Missouri back on its feet and moving forward. With your help, we’ll make that happen.
Republicans in Washington are working quietly to change Social Security as we know it. Their goal? Hand parts of it over to Wall Street and private investors—without telling the public what’s really happening.
Secret Commissions to Cut Benefits
Republicans in Congress want to create a closed-door commission that would come up with changes to Social Security and Medicare. This group would meet in private, then send their plan to Congress for a vote—with no public hearings or changes allowed. It’s a way to cut benefits without voters noticing until it’s too late.
Service Cuts Make the System Harder to Use
Trump’s administration has already cut over 7,000 jobs at the Social Security Administration. That means fewer workers, longer wait times, and worse service. These cuts hurt seniors and people with disabilities—and make it easier to argue the system isn’t working.
Risky Private Investment Accounts
Some Republicans are pushing plans to move Social Security money into private accounts—similar to a 401(k). Instead of a guaranteed monthly check, people would be forced to gamble their future on the stock market. These plans don’t protect you—they protect the profits of big financial companies.
Scare Tactics and Confusing Language
Republicans often say Social Security is “going broke” or full of “fraud.” These scare tactics are used to make you believe the system can’t be fixed unless we turn it over to private businesses. But that’s not true. Social Security is still strong, and we can strengthen it without cutting benefits or privatizing it.
They Know It’s Unpopular—That’s Why It’s Secret
Even Senator Joni Ernst said they need to talk about cutting Social Security “behind closed doors” because it’s not something people want. If the plan was good for Americans, they wouldn’t be hiding it from us.
Why This Matters to You
You could lose your guaranteed retirement check.
Your future income might depend on risky stock investments.
Big Wall Street companies would take fees from your retirement.
You’d be left with fewer protections and more uncertainty.
We should be improving Social Security—not tearing it apart in secret. I believe in protecting the benefits you’ve earned, not turning them into a gamble. I’ll keep fighting to stop these efforts and make sure Social Security stays strong for every Missourian.
Mark “Awful” Alford claims he’s “the most accessible Member of Congress.” But if that were true, where was he before I started calling him out?
Now, with the clock ticking, he’s scrambling to put on a 15-county “town hall tour.” That might sound impressive—until you realize Missouri’s 4th District has 24 counties.
So why leave out 9 of them?
Maybe he’s avoiding places where folks know how badly he’s been voting against their interests. He’s ignored regular town halls for nearly two years—until now.
He’s Not From Here—And It Shows
Mark “Awful” Alford is not from Missouri. He built his career in big-city Texas newsrooms, not in the fields or small towns of this district. He may live in Missouri now, but he doesn’t live the life of rural Missourians.
He’s not a farmer. He’s not rural. And he hasn’t been representing you.
Now that the election’s near, he’s pretending to care. But he’s not showing up because he wants to listen—he’s showing up to make you think he cares. Big difference.
And if the questions get hard? Bet he’ll duck out early. Just watch.
Let’s Look at His Record
While he’s been out chasing cameras and cozying up to national donors, here’s what Mark “Awful” Alford has actually done in Congress:
Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 – putting SNAP benefits at risk and nearly shutting down the government
Backed GOP budget cuts – threatening $400 million in food assistance for Missouri families
Zero meaningful legislation passed – nothing to support small farms, rural clinics, or working families
This isn’t leadership. This is campaign theater—because I exposed how out of touch he really is.
My Promise Is Different
I won’t stage photo ops. I won’t duck hard questions. I’ll show up, listen, and do the work—year-round, not just at election time.
I’m Ricky Dana. I was born and raised right here in rural Missouri. I’ve raised livestock, worked with farmers, and lived through the same challenges you have. I read every email. I take every message seriously.
We don’t need a suburban talker with a TV background. We need a Missouri-grown doer.
Let’s bring honest, accountable representation back to Missouri’s 4th District.
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 4th District
Donald Trump isn’t just arguing with the press—he’s using the full power of the federal government to punish any outlet that tells the truth about him.
He’s trying to defund NPR and PBS. He’s suing the Wall Street Journal for $10 billion. He’s made one thing clear: if you hold him accountable, he’ll come after you.
This is not just unfair. It’s wrong. And it may be unconstitutional.
🎯 1. Defunding NPR & PBS
In May 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14290 to cut all federal money from NPR and PBS. He called them “woke” and “anti-American.”
But public stations help keep rural families informed. Now, PBS and NPR are suing, saying Trump broke the First Amendment by punishing speech he doesn’t like.
Trump’s FCC chair started political investigations into ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR, and PBS—but not FOX News. They even talked about taking away licenses and stopping media mergers.
This is not normal. It’s a direct attack on the First Amendment.
Reports say Trump used the Justice Department and IRS to go after his political enemies and journalists. Some actions were kept secret, but leaked memos showed they tried to “name and shame” critics.
They Found Money for Trump’s Jet—But Not for Hungry Kids
By Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House, Missouri District 4
Turns out the Pentagon can find almost a billion dollars for a jet—but not for hungry kids or freezing women and children stuck in cages at a swamp detention camp. Let’s talk about it.
🚨 Nearly $1 Billion Secretly Diverted
According to multiple reports, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth secretly diverted $934 million from the Sentinel nuclear modernization program. That money went to help pay for a Boeing 747-8 plane—Trump’s new version of Air Force One, which he calls part of his presidential library.
Problem is, that transfer happened with no approval from Congress. That’s a big legal no-no. Federal law says the Pentagon has to inform Congress and get approval when shifting this kind of money. But they did it anyway.
💔 Meanwhile, People Are Freezing and Starving
Down in Florida, over 1,000 people—many of them women and children—are being held in a facility called “Alligator Alcatraz.” It’s a detention center in the middle of the Everglades, and conditions are inhumane. Reports say:
People are being fed food with worms and maggots
They sleep on wet floors with sewage nearby
No hot food, no medical care, and no privacy
Lights are kept on 24/7, causing stress and sleep issues
Mosquitoes and snakes crawl into sleeping areas
One woman said they only get to shower once every few days, and that guards even took her Bible. There are reports of tents flooding, medicine being denied, and kids left cold at night.
📢 So Where Are Our Priorities?
If we have nearly a billion dollars for a luxury jet that Trump wants to show off, but can’t give kids warm beds and a hot meal, something is deeply wrong.
As your next congressman from rural Missouri, I won’t stand for this kind of cruelty or misuse of our national defense dollars. I’ll fight for working families, for human dignity, and for honest budgets that reflect our real values—not Trump’s ego.
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