Member Benefits

As a member of MO-AG, you are entitled to some great benefits that will allow you and your business to fully operate with ease.

Your Voice is Heard in Jefferson City

MO-AG’s staff and board of directors voice your legislative and regulatory concerns in the state capitol and with state agencies. Jim Russell, MO-AG’s legislative consultant, has been a member of the Missouri House of Representatives and has the know-how in Jefferson City to make a difference in agricultural legislation.

Here is a sampling of MO-AG’s legislative and regulatory victories. This is not an exhaustive list, but you can see that your state association will work for the good of their member companies and for the good of Missouri agribusiness.

- Modified liability for negligent spraying from triple damages to actual damages
- License plates removed from anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks
- Removal of sales tax on grain bins used for storage
- Removal of sales tax on surfactants
- Tort reform
- Worker compensation reform
- Pesticide registration (retailers are now given a reasonable amount of time in which to dispose of pesticide stock in the event that a manufacturer or distributor stops registering the product.)
-Hazardous substance (made revisions in how clean up cost invoices are submitted, and more specifically states what invoices must include and provides an appeal to the department to DNR on those costs, with the burden of proof on the political subdivision or the emergency service provider. This is a complete change in the burden of proof.)

MO-AG Membership Means Benefits and Services to You

As a service to you, MO-AG has an attorney on staff to help with any legal issues that may be facing your company. In addition, MO-AG members have access to the Asmark Institute, a non-profit regulatory organization that works through state agribusiness associations to provide regulatory assistance to the agribusiness industry.

MO-AG Publications

As a MO-AG member, you receive our publications to keep you up-to-date on ag industry news. The publications you receive as a member include a bi-annual directory, quarterly newsletters and bi-weekly e-mail updates.

Networking Opportunities

Networking opportunities highlight events throughout the year including the MO-AG Winter Convention & Legislative Conference, and the regional and summer meetings.

MO-AG helps to advance the agriculture community through programs such as the MO-AG Winter Convention & Legislative Conference, MO-AG Clean Pesticide Container Recycling Program and the Jim Russell Foundation scholarship program. The MO-AG Winter Convention & Legislative Conference is an annual trade show that brings exhibitors from all areas of agriculture and dynamic speakers.

Training Programs So You Can Be Ready For Industry Changes

MO-AG administers educational seminars including training on new government regulations. MO-AG’s staff is responsible for administering the Missouri Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program, so many of MO-AG’s educational programs offer Continuing Education Units for CCAs.

MO-AG Insurance Agency - Property and Casualty Insurance and Workers Compensation

You know MO-AG is an “advocate for the business of agriculture”. This is our motto. But while you might think of MO-AG primarily as your advocate for public policy, you now know that MO-AG is your advocate for your insurance needs.

The MO-AG Insurance Agency is a new entity that has been formed to advocate for you to make sure you receive the best insurance value possible. Our priority is you and your needs. We sell insurance, but, our focus is to help our members buy insurance and make sure you receive the best value possible. It may be your current plan is best for you or we might be able to offer you more attractive alternatives. We will provide you with an open, transparent process that clearly shows the product options available from the various carriers and give you the information you need so you can decide the best option for your operation. Our initial focus is property and casualty insurance, workers compensation, and safety and regulatory consulting services. OSHA compliance updates and loss control solutions will be part of the benefit.

The MO-AG Insurance Agency is a joint venture with Agri-Business Insurance Services (ABIS) of Des Moines, Iowa and MO-AG. ABIS is part of the LaMair-Mulock-Condon Company, one of the largest independently owned brokers of agri-business insurance in the country employing over 130 insurance professionals with years of insurance experience. Given the strength of ABIS and its reputation of focusing on what’s right for the customer, I believe they are the perfect partner for us in this venture.

The MO-AG Insurance Agency will have access to all the major agribusiness underwriters including: Continental Western Group, Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Agri-Business/Farmland Insurance, Penn Millers Insurance Company, Triangle Insurance Companies, Westfield Insurance, and many more specialty insurance companies. Our focus will be on finding insurers that can deliver the coverage and service that’s right for your agri-business operation.

I hope you take a look at your new agency. Remember, by doing business with the MO-AG insurance agency, your patronage will help provide MO-AG crucial financial resources in order to operate and provide you with a wide range of benefits. Please, contact the MO-AG office and let’s discuss how we can help you.

Health, Life and Disability Insurance

MO-AG now offers our members more comprehensive options for health, life and disability insurance by partnering with Diversified Employee Benefit Solutions, Inc. (DEBS). Our program is designed to fit the particular needs of our members, to assure peace of mind for yourself and your employees. We are able to quote a variety of insurance carriers in order to provide you with insurance that fits your needs. Contact Mindy Gratton for health, life and disability insurance needs at (877) 293-4583.

Benefit Carriers:

Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri
Cigna
Coventry
Delta Dental
Humana
United Healthcare

Alcohol and Drug Testing Program

STA United/DAC Services

STA United™/DAC Services manages drug and alcohol testing for all areas of the transportation industry -- motor carriers, pipeline, public transit, aviation, as well as manufacturing, construction, retail and education.

Other Benefits

The MO-AG Clean Pesticide Container Recycling Program is the premiere program for crop protectant container collection in Missouri. Each year, Thousands of pounds of recycled plastic are produced as a result of this program. The Jim Russell Foundation awards three college students $1,500 each year and annually donates $500 to Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and $1,000 to Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT).