"Quick question... Do any of you live in the Midwest?
The reason I ask is because I'm already here, and think you are missing some valuable points about the area you're thinking of.

1) Experienced farmers- not only do they know how to grow crops but the average farmer can also weld, fix any engine he owns with little more than duct tape and bailing wire if need be, butcher anything that is valuable as a food source within 100 miles of their land, owns several guns, and can use them all effectively, and already has a survivalist attitude.

2) Generally speaking, at least for Kansas, as long as you aren't too weird looking, farmers don't mind having extra hands around to do work that they would struggle to complete alone.

3) Know the land that they own and the land surrounding it from a lifetime of working it, and moving through it.

4) Already have large stores of food and supplies built up against being flooded or snowed in/loss of power, which often lasts for weeks when it happens."

"Safest place to survive zombies: The south

We have lots of guns, lots of ammo, and anything else you need.

Enjoy your flat ground."

"People seem to have forgotten about the dust bowl, without modern farming practices most of the Midwest will dry up, and without plants to keep the soil from being blown by the wind we're going to have huge dust clouds. "