Missouri again ranks below the national average in this category. The social system of Missouri is highly diversified, partly due to Missouri's earlier role as the gateway to the West and to the migration of of many different ethnic groups. Early migrations included German immigrants and their descendants who in large part developed the large brewing industry in St. Louis. Those who settled in the southwest and the Ozark Mountains came primarily from the hill country of Kentucky and Tennessee, and they opposed slavery which explains why this region in largely Republican. Hallmark, the greeting card company, is based in Kansas City and is another world leader in it's industry.
Agriculture is an important income producer in Missouri.
Missouri is a major producer of cattle and cows, hogs, and turkeys. Other important products produced here are soybeans, corn, winter wheat, tobacco, apples, peaches, popcorn, and cotton. Missouri ranks sixth in the nation in rice production, while it's wine industry ranks seventh in number of wineries and eighth in production. Despite this information, not all of Missouri is excellent for farming as farm incomes varies widely among geographic areas. The state offers a wide variety of vacationing facilities, with many resorts at their larger lakes including Lake of the Ozarks, Taneycomo, Bull Shoals, and Table Rock.