FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Meyer
ameyer@missourifarmersunion.org
573-659-4787

Missouri Farmers Union Seeking Founders to Celebrate Centennial

WEST PLAINS, MO (October 5, 2006) – In March, 1907 farm and rural leaders gathered in West Plains, Missouri to attend the founding convention of the Missouri Farmers Educational and Co-operative Union, the organization now know as Missouri Farmers Union. On January 26 and 27, 2007 Missouri Farmers Union will celebrate its rich rural heritage with its centennial convention in West Plains. In order to honor its founders at this centennial event, Missouri Farmers Union is seeking to locate the descendents of its founders.

Founders of the Missouri Farmers Union that the organization is trying to locate are:

H.M. Ray, Neosho
Judge J.G. Wear, Butler County
John K. Weinmeister, Sikeston
John A. Miller, Mississippi County
Fred M. Best, McDonald County
Alfred Hughes, Dunklin County
N.H. Summit, Dunklin County
L.F. Luthy, LaClede County
John I. Barrett, Howell County
J.J. Wilson, Pemiscot County
N.W. Fisher, Mississippi County
William A. Yount, Cape Girardeau
James McIntosh, Barry County
J.F. Baker, Cape Girardeau County
C.M. Gooch, Ripley County
William B. Yount, Bollinger County
Judge W.P. Campbell, West Plains

One hundred years ago these delegates came from throughout southern Missouri to form the first Farmers Union organization in Missouri. If you are a descendant or are familiar with these founders please contact the Missouri Farmers Union office at 573-659-4787.
In 1907, the farmers were concerned about the low prices of cotton that threatened their family livelihood. They joined the farm organization that started in Point, Texas in 1902 and was then sweeping the south with new chapters forming every day. This organization offered hope for the depressed farm economy through legislation to help family farmers, its innovation in assisting farmers in starting cooperatives and providing educational resources for rural areas.

Today, Missouri Farmers Union continues to work on the same issues: legislation, cooperation and education. In the last seven years Missouri Farmers Union has helped Missouri farmers form value-added cooperatives to market their products. The Farmers Union continues to advocate for fair prices and increased market access for farm products. The organization is now developing a youth and adult education program focusing on increasing leadership, entrepreneurial and cooperative capacity in rural areas of Missouri.

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