Standing with Pettis County Farmers
Agriculture is the lifeblood of Pettis County, but today, our producers are caught in a crossfire of global conflict and trade instability that threatens the very survival of the family farm.
Reclaiming Lost International Markets: For decades, Missouri grain has fed the world. However, recent...
Standing with Pettis County Farmers
Agriculture is the lifeblood of Pettis County, but today, our producers are caught in a crossfire of global conflict and trade instability that threatens the very survival of the family farm.
Reclaiming Lost International Markets: For decades, Missouri grain has fed the world. However, recent tariff wars have left us without a seat at the table. Since 2025, we’ve seen a staggering decline in international grain sales—with soybean exports to major partners like China plummeting by over 70%. When we use tariffs as a blunt instrument, our competitors in South America step in to fill the void, and once those trade relationships are broken, they are incredibly difficult to win back. I will fight for a trade policy that prioritizes market access over political posturing.
Lowering Input Costs Amid Global Conflict: The current conflict in Iran has crippled the supply of fertilizer components that flow through the Strait of Hormuz. We’ve seen nitrogen and urea prices spike by over 30% in a single week. I will advocate for state-level oversight to prevent price gouging and support initiatives that reduce our dependence on foreign fertilizer.
Ending the “Tariff Tax” on Tools: Tariffs don’t just hurt what we sell; they hurt what we buy. The rising cost of steel and imported machinery parts acts as a hidden tax on every farmer in District 52. An imported tractor that cost $500,000 now faces an $80,000 duty—that is money coming directly out of a family’s pocket.
Biofuels and Energy Independence: To offset the loss of international sales, we must lean into Missouri-made solutions. I support expanding our role in biofuel production—using our own corn and soybeans to fuel our state—reducing our vulnerability to global energy shocks and creating a reliable domestic market for our grain.
Why Rene Vance for Agriculture?
A “Fixer” Perspective: Rene understands that you can’t run a farm—or a country—on ad-hoc bailouts. We need long-term stability and predictable markets.
An Airman’s View of the World: Rene’s service in the Air Force taught her how global instability in places like the Persian Gulf translates directly into $800-per-ton fertilizer prices back home in Sedalia.
A Neighbor Who Shows Up: Whether it’s serving on the Senior Center board or advocating for our 1,000+ local farms, Rene is ready for her Second Service.