By Blake Jackson
Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) highlighted 10 years of quinoa research during its 2026 Quinoa Field Day held July 14 at the George Washington Carver Farm in Jefferson City.
The event allowed farmers, researchers, and community members to explore quinoa research plots and learn about the crop’s potential under Missouri growing conditions.
Safiullah Pathan, Ph.D., professor of plant and soil science and leader of LU’s quinoa research program, explained the crop’s flexibility and nutritional benefits.
“Quinoa is not just a grain. It is a nutritious, multipurpose crop,” said Pathan, professor of plant and soil science. “With one planting, we can harvest leafy greens first and grain later.”
LU began researching quinoa in 2016 to identify sustainable crops that could provide new opportunities for small farmers.
Researchers evaluated 128 quinoa varieties and discovered two varieties that showed strong performance in Missouri conditions. Their findings could help increase domestic production of a crop currently supplied mainly through imports from countries such as Peru and Bolivia.
Known for its nutritional value, quinoa is naturally gluten-free and contains protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. In addition to being prepared like rice, the crop can be used in salads, soups, microgreens, sprouts, snacks, and baked products.
Webster Davis of Fulton attended the field day to learn about quinoa’s potential as a value-added agricultural product.
“Quinoa is a value-added crop; you can add chocolate or caramel and sell it as a bar,” Davis said. “Lincoln University does a great job showing how to produce the crop. The next step is figuring out how to turn that production into farm profit.”
Researchers also demonstrated LU’s dual-purpose production method, where growers can harvest leafy greens about 30 days after planting before allowing the remaining plant to produce grain later in the season.
Additional studies are examining fertilizer needs, irrigation methods, and quinoa’s potential as livestock forage. Addissu Ayele, Ph.D., is researching how nutrients and water management affect crop performance, while other LU researchers are evaluating quinoa as a possible alternative forage source with nutritional qualities similar to alfalfa.
Through continued research, LU aims to expand quinoa production opportunities for Midwest farmers while exploring new applications in food, agriculture, and livestock industries.
Photo Credit: lincoln-university-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Education, General