By Segun Adeyanju
Former Missouri Governor Mike Parson and his wife, Teresa Parson, have embarked on a new chapter of public service, joining humanitarian organisation Convoy of Hope to help strengthen global agriculture and empower farmers.
The couple will serve as global agriculture advisers and advocates, supporting the organisation’s mission to improve food security, expand farmer training and strengthen rural livelihoods across developing countries.
Rather than retire after leaving office, Parson said he wanted to remain actively involved in meaningful work.
“I wanted to do something worthwhile where I could really make a difference,” he said.
As a strategic adviser and brand ambassador, Parson will work with Missouri farmers to share agricultural knowledge and encourage partnerships that support Convoy of Hope’s international farming programmes.
He recalled how, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Missouri rice producers partnered with Convoy of Hope to distribute 200,000 pounds of rice to refugees, providing more than seven million meals.
“When farmers see results like that, they know their contributions are reaching the people who need them most,” Parson said.
The organisation operates an 80-acre Center for Agriculture & Food Security, where improved farming techniques are developed and shared with communities worldwide. Through farmer training, Convoy of Hope aims to increase crop yields, improve food security and promote sustainable agriculture.
Teresa Parson has already visited El Salvador and Guatemala, where she witnessed programmes supporting women entrepreneurs, children’s welfare and agricultural development.
She said the experience reinforced her commitment to helping families build sustainable livelihoods through education, farming and small businesses.
Convoy of Hope has set ambitious targets to feed one million schoolchildren every school day, train 100,000 farmers and expand its women’s empowerment programmes by 2030.
For the Parsons, the new role represents a continuation of a lifelong commitment to service, using agriculture as a tool to fight hunger, strengthen communities and create economic opportunities around the world.
