Lincoln University: Meeting Missouri Where It Matters Most

Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) fulfills its land-grant mission of providing education opportunities through teaching, research and extension by providing education and resources that strengthen communities across the state. Through Cooperative Extension (LUCE), the university works alongside Missourians to expand access to practical knowledge, support lifelong learning and improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities.

One way the university carries out that mission is through LUCE's Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program (ISFOP). With extension educators serving communities across Missouri, ISFOP provides small farmers, community gardeners and backyard growers with no-cost workshops, educational events and on-farm visits tailored to local needs. Past educational programs have covered topics including soil health, herbal medicine and composting, equipping participants with practical skills and research-based information they can apply in their own gardens, farms and communities.

Building on that community-centered mission, ISFOP Extension Agent Job Green believes serving the community reaches beyond growing crops by creating opportunities for people to learn together. Green works in Caruthersville with LU's community garden, established in December 2025, where residents are empowered through education guided by LUCE educators and supported by agricultural extension specialists.

"Having 25 youth from the Caruthersville Middle School come out to help harvest potatoes was the most gratifying event," Green said. "To see the wonder and excitement on their faces as they had gardening experiences for the first time put everything into perspective and showed me the potential of our mission."

During the garden's first six months, volunteers transformed a large backyard into a productive growing space, harvesting more than 150 pounds of potatoes, nearly 100 pounds of tomatoes and more than a dozen varieties of vegetables and herbs.

"Anyone who has interest can become more knowledgeable about small farming and gardening at ISFOP events," Green remarked. "We support them with education, consultation and research, to encourage healthy individuals and healthy communities."

Job Green assists a Caruthersville Middle School student as he harvests potatoes in Lincoln University's community garden.

That commitment to education and accessibility is central to ISFOP's mission, according to Mark Lucas, ISFOP director, who said the program focuses on helping people with unmet needs by meeting them where they are and providing practical support.

"We're focused on serving underserved, underrepresented groups, but we don't ever turn anybody away," Lucas said. "If someone needs help, we're going to help."

Lucas is putting that philosophy into practice as he leads planning for this year's Small Farmers Conference, one of ISFOP's largest annual educational events. Returning to LU in November, the free, three-day conference offers educational sessions tailored to small-scale producers. Participants can choose presentations from three educational tracks - agribusiness and agrotourism; small ruminants, other livestock and pasture management; and sustainable agriculture, farm planning and conservation practices - allowing attendees to build schedules that match their operations and interests.

"Our mission in LUCE is to be visible to the people of Missouri," Lucas said. "The conference is another opportunity to get our name out and let people know that we're here and we have something to offer them."

That focus on reaching people where they are also includes making educational opportunities more accessible. Bryan de Valdivia, an ISFOP educator, serves Spanish-speaking farmers by delivering research-based information in both Spanish and English. His work removes language barriers and helps producers feel comfortable asking questions, especially when educational materials are often available only in English.

"What Lincoln does differently is show up in person," Valdivia said. "I go to the farm. I walk through the science and recommended practices in language they're comfortable with - nothing gets lost between the office and the field."

For Valdivia, effective extension work depends on trust as much as technical knowledge. Regular farm visits, follow-up conversations and continued availability encourage producers to seek guidance long after workshops conclude.

"Lincoln was built for people who needed an institution willing to meet them halfway," Valdivia said. "That's what I try to do on every visit."

More than 160 years after its founding, LU continues expanding educational opportunities by reaching communities often overlooked by traditional outreach efforts. Through programs such as ISFOP, university educators deliver research-based information directly to farms, gardens and neighborhoods across Missouri, ensuring small farmers, beginning growers and underserved populations receive practical support. Whether through community gardens, statewide conferences or one-on-one farm visits, LUCE continues fulfilling Lincoln's land-grant mission by making education accessible to all.

For more information on local ISFOP programming, contact Mark Lucas at [email protected]