Fresh vegetables at a local market, including red tomatoes, green cabbage, white onions, cucumbers, carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini, all neatly arranged in rows.
Locally grown produce at a Missouri farmers market – fresh, safe, and close to home.

I live in a small farming community in Missouri. Lately, I’ve seen prices shoot up at the grocery store—and I’m not alone. My neighbors feel it too. Tariffs pushed by the Trump administration have made it harder to grow food, ship it, or sell it for a fair price.

What Farmers Are Saying

Many Missouri farmers are frustrated. One corn grower north of Kansas City said the rules keep changing, so it’s hard to plan. Things like fertilizer, seeds, and supplies now cost more because of these trade policies.
Source: American Farmland Owner

Deals Lost to Other Countries

China used to be one of the biggest buyers of U.S. farm products. But not anymore. One Missouri farmer lost a multimillion-dollar deal with a buyer in China. The buyer backed out because of tariffs. China also blocked soybeans and other crops from U.S. companies.
Sources:

Can Farmers Even Break Even?

Many can’t. Costs for fertilizer and fuel are way up. Interest rates are high too. At the same time, prices for crops like soybeans have dropped by a third. That makes it harder for farmers to make ends meet.
Source: Missouri Independent

Food Prices and Safety Concerns

Families are paying more at the store. Meats, eggs, and other basics have gone up over 5% in the past year. On top of that, there have been many food safety warnings. The CDC is tracking at least 17 outbreaks of foodborne illness—mostly from Salmonella. And in many cases, we’re not even told what brand is responsible.
Sources:

Farm to Table Is the Way Forward

We should be able to find fresh, local food at local stores. Why are our stores filled with food that traveled 1,000 miles, while nearby growers struggle to sell what they raise? I’d trust beef, eggs, or vegetables from my neighbors before something shipped in from another country.

Local food means fresher meals, fewer safety risks, and less dependence on big corporations. It’s better for our families, our health, and our economy.