Cape News

U.S. Representative Jason Smith, who serves Missouri’s 8th district in Congress, shared updates from his recent visits with local business owners and farmers in a series of posts on August 15, 2025.

In one post from Madison County, Smith wrote: "While in Madison County, I stopped by Pakey Matthews’s Farms and Exotics where I heard from the Matthews Family about their challenges with the USDA. Bureaucratic rules from the USDA sometimes change WEEKLY, which makes is hard for farms, like this one, to keep their doors open" (August 15, 2025).

Later that day in St. Francois County, Smith highlighted another meeting: "In St. Francois County, I had the opportunity to meet Steve and Shelley Peterson, the owners of Peterson Feed and Farm. Steve manages their Century farm, while Shelley manages the store, which they have owned for 8 years. During this visit, we discussed the historic wins for" (August 15, 2025).

During a stop in St. Genevieve County on the same day, Smith posted: "During my stop in St. Genevieve County, I met with brothers Andy and Joe Bartek, who own the Chateau Sainte Genevieve Winery. During this visit, we discussed the challenges small businesses faced on the global stage and with tax certainty in previous years. President Trump’s" (August 15, 2025).

Smith has represented Missouri’s 8th District since replacing Jo Ann Emerson in 2013 and previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005 to 2013. Born in St Louis in 1980 and currently residing in Salem at age 42, Smith holds degrees from both the University of Missouri and Oklahoma City University.