Saving Missouri’s Family Farms: Future Policies to Protect Chariton County’s Rural Heritage
In the heart of Chariton County, Missouri, family farms define the landscape and spirit of towns like Keytesville, Salisbury, Mendon, and Brunswick. These small operations, passed down through generations, face relentless threats: soaring input costs, unaffordable land prices, and corporate agribusinesses dominating markets. Brian Reisinger,…
Highway Safety During Planting Season in Chariton County, Missouri: Protecting Farm Equipment Operators and Drivers
As planting season brings Chariton County, Missouri’s rural highways to life in April and May, tractors, planters, and other farm equipment crisscross roads like Route 5 and Highway 24, moving between fields to sow crops. This critical period, driven by tight weather windows, increases the…
Missouri’s Rural-Urban Income Divide: Rusty Black and Tim Taylor’s Urban Bias Leaves Chariton County Behind
Missouri’s rural communities, including Chariton County, face a persistent income gap compared to urban centers like Kansas City and St. Louis, threatening the heartland’s way of life. From 2005 to 2023, rural median household incomes in Missouri rose from roughly $35,000 to $55,000–$60,000, while urban…
Farm Fire Safety in Spring: Preventing Agricultural Fires Across Missouri
As the spring planting season ramps up across Missouri, so do the risks of fire on farms and rural properties. Chariton County has already experienced several large field and brush fires in recent weeks. While many associate wildfires and farm-related fires with the heat of…
Northwestern R-I School District: A Leader in Education Excellence
Nestled in Mendon, Missouri, Northwestern R-I School District continues to set the bar high for academic excellence and student achievement. In the past 2 years the district has achieved remarkable success, solidifying its reputation as one of the best in the state. Exceptional Academic Performance…
Keytesville R-III: A Small School Making a Big Impact
When you sit down with Will Perkins, Superintendent of Keytesville R-III School District, it’s immediately clear that he is an educator at heart—deeply invested in the success of his students and the well-being of the community. Over his 18-month tenure, Mr. Perkins has worked to…
