Partnership Brings Affordable Ranch Management Education to Producers

Noble Institute’s Will Moseley demonstrates techniques for identifying soil quality to a group of workshop attendees.

Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) and Noble Research Institute continue their partnership to provide practical farm and ranch management education at a reduced cost. The collaboration connects producers with strategies for strengthening soil health, improving grazing practices and increasing long-term profitability.

“After we piloted a single course, Noble Grazing Essentials, in 2024, feedback from attending producers confirmed that this education was a true match for the region,” said Josh Gaskamp, associate director of outreach and partnerships at Noble. “Since that pilot course, Lincoln and Noble have partnered to bring our full in-person course portfolio to producers at a reduced rate each subsequent year.”

Noble Research Institute, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to farm and ranch management education, develops programs focused on building healthier soils and more profitable agricultural operations. Through its partnership with LU, Noble makes its educational resources available to Missouri producers and others interested in regenerative agriculture.

“The cost for education or guidance should not be a barrier,” Gaskamp said. “Ranchers who are committed to improving soil health are actually managing land for the public’s benefit.”

Noble welcomes farmers and ranchers at every experience level. Participants have traveled from California to Florida to attend courses, demonstrating how the principles Noble teaches can support agricultural operations throughout the country.

“We encourage anyone who wants to improve soil health and become more profitable, regardless of knowledge base, years of experience, or the size of their operation, to attend the classes,” said Steven Smith, senior regenerative ranching adviser at Noble.

Noble Grazing Essentials workshop participants walk through the fields at Lincoln University’s Carver Farm, learning hands-on techniques to improve soil health and forage growth.

Courses encourage participants to examine existing practices and consider innovative approaches suited to their land, livestock and business goals. Rather than focusing on a single part of an operation, instructors help producers evaluate how soil, forage, livestock and finances influence one another.

“We know an operation is more than livestock, more than crops, more than economics,” Smith said. “We look at the entire picture. We want to improve all aspects of the operation, not just one.”

Noble’s course portfolio includes Land Essentials, which focuses on improving soil health, and Grazing Essentials, which teaches producers how to maximize available forage. Profitability Essentials provides financial tools to strengthen business skills, while Business of Grazing explores effective grazing strategies. MarketSMART Ranching builds participants’ skills and confidence in evaluating livestock and other assets. Orchard Essentials helps growers cultivate healthier perennial crops, reduce costs and build long-term resilience.

“I expect these workshops in the future to begin focusing more on what the ranchers’ current needs are,” Gaskamp said. “Rancher feedback and questions are pointing to new challenges that Noble is trying to address with new offerings.”

Producers can apply course concepts immediately. During a Noble Land Essentials course in Jefferson City last spring, Smith said a local husband and wife attended classes and learned new approaches for improving soil cover. After returning home, they replaced continuous grazing with adaptive grazing, began moving their herd at least once a week and planted cover crops. Smith said the changes reduced their hay needs and improved soil cover across their property.

“Once we have a better understanding of how to take care of the soil, which is the foundation of all agricultural enterprises, we set ourselves up for long-term success,” Smith said.

LU will host Noble’s Land Essentials and Grazing Essentials courses in September. Through continued collaboration, Lincoln and Noble aim to equip more producers with foundational knowledge, practical strategies and management skills capable of supporting healthier land and stronger agricultural businesses for years to come.

Click here to find and register for upcoming Noble courses.