LU Research Study Examines Economic Challenges Facing Rural Missouri Residents

Ye Su, Ph.D., associate professor of agricultural business at Lincoln University of Missouri, leads a research study examining the economic well-being of rural Missouri households.

Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) Associate Professor of Agricultural Business Ye Su and University of Missouri Assistant Professor Stephen Mukembo are conducting a study focused on the economic well-being of rural Missouri residents.

Identifying challenges facing rural households, examining strategies residents use during financial hardship and exploring opportunities for stronger community support are objectives of the study.

“Our goal is to understand the needs of rural residents and provide information for support and policymaking to improve rural resilience,” Su said.

The National Science Foundation-funded project runs from Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2029. Participants must be at least 18 and live in rural Missouri. Minority residents and members of low-income households are of particular interest.

Participation begins with a brief survey. The survey collects basic information, including an applicant’s email address and demographic details. Researchers plan to contact qualifying applicants to arrange an in-depth interview.

Each approximately 60-to-90-minute interview may be completed in person or through a video call, allowing rural residents from across Missouri to contribute their experiences.

During the interview, participants will be asked questions about their household structure, including family members, as well as employment and other sources of income. Questions also aim to explore participants’ views of the current economy and any difficulties they experience while meeting household needs.

Questions also focus on how participants manage economic pressure and hardship, with the goal to learn which resources residents turn to for assistance, how helpful those resources prove and how rural communities could offer additional support.

“The interviews can help us identify where existing programs may be working well and where additional resources or policy attention may be needed,” Mukembo said. “The broader purpose is to identify barriers, coping strategies, and factors that contribute to resilience among rural households and businesses.”

Information collected through the interviews will help develop a clearer picture of economic life in rural Missouri. Findings may also guide practical resources, Extension programming and policy recommendations designed around residents’ experiences.

“We will understand rural economic dynamics and identify their challenges and needs,” Su said. “We will provide research-based practical tools, policy recommendations and actionable guides to promote rural communities’ long-term resilience and prosperity.”

By centering rural voices, Lincoln University hopes to identify both immediate needs and long-term opportunities for strengthening Missouri communities. The study aims to connect residents’ experiences with research-based solutions aimed at promoting economic resilience, community support and lasting prosperity.

For additional information about this study, please contact Ye Su, Ph.D. at SuY@lincolnu.edu