Magazine Issue: Winter 2020

Momentum Magazine >> Winter 2020

Articles

A man in sunglasses and a blue cap stands outdoors, smiling in front of a yellow Caterpillar bulldozer. The ground is covered in patches of snow, and hes wearing a blue jacket.

Connected to the Co-op

Since the day Lester Rufenacht first got his hands in the dirt on his family’s farm in southern Henry County, Mo., he’s found himself drawn to working the land. “I guess it’s in my blood at this point,” Lester says with a laugh. With the exception of a two-year deployment […]

An oil rig set against a vibrant sunset with colorful clouds. The structure is surrounded by an open expanse of dirt and distant trees, reflecting some light in small puddles on the ground.

Turmoil in the Middle East and Its Influence on the Energy Market

As I write this latest market commentary article in mid-January, we have just gone through some serious geopolitical events in the Middle East. On Jan. 3, the United States launched an attack near the Baghdad International Airport that killed Major General Qassem Soleimani, who was the commander of Iran’s secretive […]

A group of people wearing jackets and hats are planting seedlings in neat rows in a community garden. They are on their knees, working in a freshly tilled plot surrounded by straw mulch. Several small buildings are visible in the background.

Urban Farm to Serve Central Missouri Veterans

The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture and Harry S. Truman Veterans’ Hospital have entered into a three-year agreement to use CCUA’s urban farm site at 1209 Smith St. in Columbia to develop a new community space for mid-Missouri veterans. Beginning in the spring of 2020, the two organizations will work […]

A smiling graduate in cap and gown stands beside a woman in a floral top. They are inside a gymnasium with red and black bleachers and championship banners on the walls.

It’s About the Kids

Lesley Newsom, ag instructor and FFA advisor for Senath-Hornersville High School in Senath, Mo., keeps busy with lesson planning, teaching topics ranging from plant science to animal husbandry to biotechnology, and even welding and construction. And that’s not counting the fundraising, bus driving, early mornings, after-hours work and weekends she […]

Silhouette of a person wearing a hat standing in front of a vibrant sunset with scattered clouds in the sky. The landscape is open and expansive, suggesting a natural setting.

Farmers Should Prioritize Health, Seek Help if Needed

Farmers know that well-maintained equipment is key to success. Yet they often do not listen to the “check engine” warning signs of stress, says Sean Brotherson, family science specialist for North Dakota State University. Brotherson was the keynote speaker at the recent University of Missouri Crop Management Conference. “Ag has […]

Aerial view of a red tractor plowing a vast field, leaving a trail of dust behind. The field is lined with parallel furrows, creating a striped pattern. The lighting emphasizes the texture and colors of the soil.

Farmland Values Remain Resilient

In spite of tight profit margins and challenging market conditions, farmland values are up. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2019 Land Values report revealed the average value of agricultural cropland was $4,100 per acre in 2019, up $50 per acre or 1.2% from 2018. The average value of pastureland was […]

A cluster of fresh oyster mushrooms with creamy white stems and light brown, wavy caps. The gills are prominently visible, showcasing the intricate texture of the fungi. The background is blurred, highlighting the mushrooms in focus.

Farming Fungus

It’s late January, and a thick blanket of newly fallen snow covers the rolling farm ground of north Missouri. While it’s been months since Matt and Madison Larkin finished combining corn and soybeans, their harvest continues. Just down the road from the farm in the town of Hamilton, tucked inside […]

A rustic white barn surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant purple flowers sits under a pastel sunset sky. A gravel path leads to the barn, and fields stretch out to the horizon.

Beyond the Barn Dance

For centuries, the barn was the space for celebrating. No matter the occasion — whether it be a birthday, wedding, holiday or even the raising of the barn itself — this place for housing crops and livestock would transform for communal gathering, making way for dancing and merriment. Somewhere along […]

Jon Ihler - MFA Oil Company president and CEO

Seeing 2020

The start of the new year and new decade is here. It’s now 2020, but are we seeing 20/20? Seeing 20/20 from a co-op perspective is all about our ability to see our businesses clearly in both the near-term and on a long term basis. For MFA Oil, our ideal […]