The Prairie Rose Area

The Prairie Rose RC&D area consists of eight west-central Missouri counties (Ray, Carroll, Chariton, Lafayette, Saline, Johnson, Jackson and Pettis), and covers approximately 3,180,000 acres. The closest urban areas are Kansas City (60 miles west), St. Louis (122 miles east), and Chillicothe
(60 miles north).

The area's population is 174,502 (35.5 people per square mile.) The significant population centers are Sedalia, Warrensburg and Marshall. These communities have remained stable during the last decade, in contrast to a statewide decrease of 13.4 percent.

The area's landscape varies from rolling to moderately steep. Soils are suitable for agricultural enterprises involving grain, feed, crops, and cattle production. Much of the region receives 40 inches of rain annually.

The area's economy is based on undiversified agriculture (corn, soybean and wheat row crops, and livestock), light manufacturing, and service industries. Although 90 percent of the area's 3.1million acres are used for agricultural production, only 28 percent of its income is derived from agriculture. Off-farm income is generated through numerous businesses, with less than 100 employees. The largest employer in the area is Whiteman Air Force Base.

Each county, except Chariton, has one or more hospitals. In addition, there is a military hospital at Whiteman Air Force Base.

The area's popular recreational sports include fishing, boating and waterfowl hunting, and are associated with the region's 25,600 acres of surface water. This includes the Missouri, Chariton, Blackwater and Lamine rivers. It also includes Swan Lake and Silver Lake, in Chariton County. Both are major Missouri waterfowl habitats. Most of the public water supply comes from shallow wells drawn from the Missouri River aquifer. Overland runoff and rural water districts supply water to a few communities. Small ponds and lakes dot the landscape providing water for livestock and wildlife.

The area has main highways running both north-south, and east-west. There are two airports, Kansas City International, and Sedalia Memorial. Nine different railroad lines provide service to the area. They are used mainly for hauling freight, supplies and finished products. Two million tons of grain, pesticides and fertilizer are shipped every year on the Missouri River via barges. Four riverside access points are within the area.

Post-high-school, educational opportunities include Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, State Fair Community College in Sedalia, and Missouri Valley College in Marshall.  In addition, area vocational technical schools are located in Carrollton, Lexington, Marshall, Sedalia and Warrensburg.