Missouri Shapes Future Farmers: Cultivation & Growth
- May 22, 2025
From the first farms established in the 1700s to the large-scale agribusinesses of today, Missouri’s roots in the agricultural industry go deep. Agriculture is a major economic driver in Missouri, contributing $93.7 billion to the state’s economy and employing nearly 460,000 people. It fits into the larger food sector, encompassing everything from crop production, livestock and farm operations to food processing, food safety, and forestry.
Given the food industry’s vital role in economic prosperity, it’s no surprise Missouri is also focused on addressing a nationwide challenge: the need for diverse, skilled labor as the agricultural workforce ages.
Here, the state’s robust ecosystem of agriculture programs and institutions truly shines. Through targeted initiatives in education, training, and financial assistance, Missouri is cultivating the next generation of farmers, ranchers, researchers, and workers who can meet the demands of modern farming practices and technologies.
Lincoln University: Leading the Way in Agricultural Education and Diversity
Located in Jefferson City, Lincoln University of Missouri is a pioneer in agricultural education. The university collaborates closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop programs that advance agricultural production, environmental stability, and community health in the region. These USDA-backed initiatives aim to train a new generation of professionals with wide-ranging expertise in climate-smart agriculture.
Lincoln is also dedicated to making farming more inclusive. The university is leveraging $10 million in funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to foster diversity in the state’s agricultural workforce. Working with a consortium of HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and research-intensive universities, Lincoln is building a new paradigm with programs designed to expand the talent pipeline among underrepresented communities in agriculture. This ethos extends into the university’s outreach to small-scale growers in underserved populations.
Furthermore, Lincoln University offers innovative hands-on learning opportunities for students entering the agriculture industry. Aspiring beginning farmers can access practical training with numerous farm programs, including the Alan T. Busby Farm, one of the largest organic certified research farms in the Midwest. Lincoln’s programs extend to training experts in various fields impacting agriculture and food systems, including animal science and plant science.
Missouri S&T’s Innovative Approach to Agriculture
Missouri University of Science and Technology, based in Rolla, offers an example of how the state’s technology-driven universities are shaping the future of agtech and sustainable farming. As part of the same NIFA-backed program with Lincoln University, Missouri S&T is using $1.25 million in funding to provide students with hands-on training in cutting-edge applications for precision agriculture: nanotechnology, data analytics, and drones.
In addition, the agricultural program trains students in practices like carbon capture and sequestration—a field in which Missouri S&T is considered a national leader—to enhance sustainability. The university also conducts outreach to recruit potential students in these fields.
As a premier hub for STEM education, Missouri S&T is leveraging its knowledge to integrate advanced technologies into the state’s agriculture industry. The university shares its expertise in drone technologies, for example, to educate Missouri farmers. These initiatives and workforce development programs highlight the role of STEM in pushing innovative solutions that translate into economic opportunity in today’s modern farming sector.
University of Missouri Goes Big to Train Next-Gen Farmers
The University of Missouri, part of the state university system with Missouri S&T, is similarly making major investments in Missouri’s agricultural workforce. In April 2025, the university began building the $35 million Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Laboratory at its campus in Columbia. This 25,000-square-foot facility is designed to provide cutting-edge research, hands-on learning, and real-world opportunities in areas like pork, beef, and poultry processing. It’s a testament to the depth of collaboration in Missouri—bringing together academia, industry players, and state leaders.
Focused on fueling innovation, the laboratory will equip future livestock farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs with the latest technologies and best practices in agriculture and meat science. Its holistic training environment will also enhance UM’s top-notch programs in food science, meat science, animal science, and veterinary medicine. By integrating research, training, and community outreach, UM aims to address regional workforce needs while solidifying Missouri’s leadership in the fast-evolving agriculture industry and meat processing sector.
The SEGA Grant Program: Investing in Missouri’s Agricultural Workforce
Missouri’s commitment to agricultural workforce development extends to the state level, with the SEGA Innovation Grant Program providing a major example. The grant program offers financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers, businesses, organizations, and new farms in Missouri. The goal? To boost value-added agriculture throughout Missouri and fuel the sector’s economic development.
Young, beginning farmers, in particular, stand to benefit from the program. Awarded grants can connect farms with vital workforce training that fits their needs. Additional resources are available to help farmers and agribusinesses upgrade their facilities, equipment, and business efforts—thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the market.
SEGA generates real-world success stories. Utilizing the program, the grant recipients are able to drive successful agricultural ventures.
Agri-Ready & AGMoves: Expanding Agriculture Opportunities
Missouri’s Agri-Ready Program and AG Moves Initiative add another element to the picture. The Agri-Ready Program encourages rural development and business growth for farms in designated Missouri counties. Connecting counties to the Missouri Farmers Care network, the program enables local civic leaders, farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers to work together to expand their region’s agrarian business development.
Meanwhile, the AG Moves Initiative starts early in its approach to nurturing the next generation of farmers. The initiative provides educational programs, STEM-oriented events, and workshops to help elementary students learn about career pathways in the agricultural sector.
Both programs serve as significant workforce development efforts in Missouri. They aim to address the challenges posed by an aging farmer population by fostering a fresh new crop of entrants into the field.
The Future of Missouri Agriculture
When it comes to agriculture, Missouri isn’t just rich in natural resources; it’s also rich in talent. Programs that seek to harness and grow this human potential are crucial to doubling the value of Missouri agriculture within the next few years.
By equipping early-career farmers with expertise in sustainable farming and advanced technologies, Missouri’s institutions and initiatives lay the groundwork for long-term growth. Continued investment in farming education, technology, and diversity will prove essential to maintaining the competitiveness of the state’s agricultural industry.
This moment presents a fertile opportunity for educational institutions, businesses, policymakers, and students to come together in supporting these programs. Together, stakeholders can create a robust agricultural future for Missouri.