Meet Ricky Dana – My Platform for Rural Missouri by Rural Missourians

Rural Economy & Family Farms

• Negotiate & expand trade: Work with USTR to lower tariffs on Midwestern livestock and crops, opening markets in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
• Stronger supply chains: Leverage USDA’s Local Agriculture Market Program and Regional Food System Partnerships so farmers reach new buyers at fair prices.
• Protect working lands: Incentivize conservation easements and sustainable practices with expanded USDA EQIP funding.

Expanding Health Care Access

• Mobile clinic grants: Create an HRSA fund for mobile units and telehealth equipment in care deserts.
• Telehealth + broadband: Use the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program so patients can see specialists from home clinics.

Environmental Stewardship

• Clean water & air: Fund farm runoff prevention and upgrade rural water systems.
• Renewable energy: Expand co-op solar/wind; support clean-fuel incentives and (where it fits) electric equipment.
• Habitat and soil: Pay farmers to conserve wildlife corridors, restore streambanks, and build soil health.
• Climate resilience: Strengthen floodplain protections and deploy rural microgrids for energy security.

This is conservation the Missouri way: practical, rural-rooted, and built for the future.

Manufacturing & Job Creation

Partner with EDA regional initiatives to seed rural manufacturing, apprenticeships, and small-town innovation hubs.

Defend Democracy & Voting Rights

Support federal standards that protect access to the ballot and fair representation for every Missourian.

Strengthening Public Education

• Modern curriculum: Champion 21st-century skills and pathways that match local workforce needs.
• Local flexibility: Help districts support bilingual, special-ed, and vocational tracks.
• Recruit rural teachers: Invest in “Grow Your Own” educator pipelines.

Affordable Housing in Rural Communities

• Help first-time buyers: Expand USDA Section 502 loans and down-payment aid for working families.
• Attract builders: Use LIHTC and Rural Innovation Zones to bring mixed-income homes to small towns.

Supporting Our Military Bases & Families

In Missouri’s 4th Congressional District, I’m proud to serve Whiteman Air Force Base as well as Fort Leonard Wood, located in Pulaski County. These installations are vital both for national defense and our local economy.

As your congressman, I will:

• Advocate for modern infrastructure, housing, and services that benefit military families and communities;
• Work to direct federal upgrades and contracts toward Missouri businesses;
• Ensure our bases receive the investment they need to fulfill their missions and strengthen our region.

Support for service members doesn’t stop at the gate. I will push for easier access to healthcare, mental-health care, and job training for veterans returning to civilian life. When our men and women put on the uniform, we owe them more than thanks—we owe them action.