Every day in Missouri, a small yet significant tax accompanies each purchase, playing a crucial role in supporting conservation efforts. Now, as the state faces a drought alert, these funds are proving invaluable in helping farmers prepare. Since 1984, Missourians have approved this tax, which amounts to one-tenth of a percent on every purchase every 10 years. In 2024, it generated around $137 million, evenly divided between the state park system and the Soil and Water Conservation Program.

Missouri's Tax - A Lifeline for Conservation

A History Built on Dirt

In the 1930s, the United States endured a catastrophic event that displaced 400,000 people. In the Great Plains region, heavy drought and poor land management practices, such as intensive plowing, left the soil vulnerable to being blown away by the wind. When the wind came, it created massive dust storms that engulfed entire towns. One such storm, 1,500 miles long and 600 miles wide, reached Chicago and deposited 12 million tons of dust. This Dust Bowl highlighted the importance of soil conservation. In response, new agencies were established and developed practices to address drought and water quality. In 1982, Missouri faced a significant challenge with soil erosion. Merle Doughty, president of the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, advocated for more support. He met with then Missouri House Rep. LeRoy Braungardt, who introduced the sales tax bill in 1983. A year later, Missourians voted it into law. Since then, the Soil and Water Conservation Program has focused on working with farmers to prepare their land for harsh weather conditions.

Program Takes Root With Farmers

Jim Plassmeyer is the current director of the Soil and Water Conservation Program within the Department of Natural Resources. His team's cost-share programs have assisted farmers in implementing conservation practices. These programs are completely optional for farmers, who can contact their county's district to send an agent to assess their land. Kenny Reichert, a Chariton County farmer, was one of the first to seek help after the tax passed. He grew up on a corn and soybean farm with soil issues and was eager to learn. The cost share showed him a way to achieve conservation. On his farm, he started planting cover crops. When rain falls, the leaves act as an umbrella, protecting the soil from impact, and the roots help retain the soil's structure and absorb more nutrients. Reichert saw an improvement in crop yield and later joined the Chariton County Soil and Water Conservation Board. The program has treated over 361,500 acres in this fiscal year, saving more than 193 million tons of soil from erosion since 1986.

The Science of a Sustainable Future

Kelly Nelson's office is located on more than 1,500 acres of experimental farmland at the Northern Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center. He is an agronomist for the University of Missouri. At the Lee Greenley Jr. Memorial Research Farm, he works with a team to develop practices that conserve water and soil resources while enhancing the resilience of cropping systems. Water and soil are interconnected, and effective practices incorporate both. Nelson has worked on a terrace system that regulates water runoff. The soil is like a sponge; it can hold water until it's saturated and then release it. In the system, cover crops are planted on inclined land, guiding water into a gravel-covered patch. The gravel-covered pipe inlet, called a "blind" inlet, stores water and can be used later. When it rains too much, a second inlet releases the excess into a natural waterway. The blind inlets cost approximately $1,000 per acre and have been reported to reduce soil loss by 60%. Landowners can access cost-share programs to cover part of the cost.

'We're the Government, and We're Here to Help'

The program also offers cost-share assistance for various practices, including grazing, irrigation management, and animal waste. Through this, Reichert was able to add Nelson's blind inlets to his farm. He emphasizes the benefits of conservation, including economic and fuel savings. Convincing other farmers to adopt new practices is challenging, as they are accustomed to traditional methods. Reichert hopes people will do what's best for their land. Plassmeyer credits the sales tax for the program's innovation in soil research. It provides steady income instead of relying solely on federal grants, enabling the development of long-term projects. Missourians have approved the tax every year it has been up for a vote, with 80% approval in 2016 in every county. The tax will be up for re-election in 2026, and Plassmeyer hopes for continued support. "We're the government, and we're here to help," he says, and this program truly embodies that sentiment.