Science and Community Connect at Lincoln University Carver Farm Field Day

Attendees take a guided tour around the native plant prairie preservation site at Carver Farm, a demonstration area that showcases the many benefits of native plants.

From pasture to pond, Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) welcomed the public to its annual Carver Farm Field Day at the George Washington Carver Farm for a full day of applied science, education and discovery. Nearly 150 people attended the event on June 11 to explore how research and real-world farming work together to advance sustainable agriculture and support producers across Missouri.

“Carver Farm Field Day is a special event to highlight innovative programs that define our mission as a land-grant institution,” said Dr. Tunsisa Hurisso, interim dean of LU’s College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences and director of Cooperative Research. “It is also a chance for partners, producers and community members to see firsthand our shared commitment to advancing food and agricultural research to meet state and national needs.”

Attendees stop at a greenhouse to learn about production techniques and controlled growing environments.

Participants boarded trolleys for a rotating tour of 12 educational stops, each showcasing the university’s research strengths and outreach programs. Topics ranged from poultry science and hydroponics to industrial hemp, aquaculture, native plants and integrated pest management.

Along the way, LU researchers, Extension specialists and students provided insights and answered questions tailored to the interests of visitors.

Local farmer William E. LaPage said he attended Carver Farm Field Day out of curiosity after spotting the event in the newspaper. The stations on small ruminants and greenhouse systems especially caught his attention, offering insight into the potential applications discussed.

Graduate students explain how AI is used in pest control and answer attendee questions.

Another attendee, Jolie Russell, arrived with a deep-rooted connection to the land. A local farmer, owner of Little Jolie’s Homestead and master gardener with the University of Missouri, Russell was drawn to the event to gather ideas for her own operation.

“It was very informative — enjoyable and educational at the same time,” Russell said when commenting on Carver Farm Field Day. “I’d like to implement some of these practices on a small scale.”

Representatives from state agencies, including the Missouri Department of Agriculture, also took part in the event. Seyed Rouhani, a representative from the department, visited several educational stops and showed particular interest in LU’s use of AI to monitor fruit fly populations. He also noted the greenhouse management practices demonstrated during the tour.

Lincoln University researchers present findings from a quinoa field trial during Carver Farm Field Day.

“I’m happy to be here and to learn more about what Lincoln is doing,” Rouhani said. “I think that we can try to implement some of these approaches in our department, too.”

After a complimentary lunch, attendees regrouped indoors for a series of afternoon sessions — covering topics such as farm planning, forage quality, sustainable protein sources and pest control. These presentations expanded on the themes introduced during the morning tours, offering research-based information aimed at strengthening farm operations and long-term sustainability.

Carver Farm Field Day also created a space for people to connect. From longtime producers to first-time visitors, the event encouraged conversations, sparked curiosity and reinforced the university’s role as a bridge among science, support and the wider community.

Field Day participants gather in the Multipurpose Building for additional insights into Lincoln University’s agricultural research.

“I hope you learned something that you didn’t know about our campus and our university, because in spaces we don’t often get to be in, we need voices saying that great things are happening at Lincoln University,” said LU President Dr. John B. Moseley. “I like to tell everybody I meet, we have a lot more in common than we have in difference … and in my world, that’s how we get better — learning from others.”

For more information about next year’s Carver Farm Field Day, contact Jody Bruemmer, University Farms program coordinator, at 573-681-5540 or BruemmerJ@lincolnu.edu.