By Blake Jackson
Lincoln University of Missouri Cooperative Extension is helping strengthen workforce development and agricultural education across the state through programs focused on farming, business management, and career readiness.
One of the leaders behind these efforts is Eleazar Gonzalez, state Extension specialist and head of the Agricultural Economics and Marketing Program.
Through workshops and field demonstrations, Gonzalez teaches producers about sustainable farming practices, agribusiness planning, and financial management strategies that can improve profitability and help farms remain resilient during economic and environmental challenges.
“Students attending our workshops and field-day demonstrations gain skills and knowledge that help them understand the economics and agribusiness of small farming and ranching,” Gonzalez said. “They can develop their experience through our direct on-site farming field days.”
For the past four years, participants have received training in business planning, farm marketing, pricing, budgeting, and risk management.
Programs serve beginning, intermediate, and experienced farmers, helping them develop practical skills for building successful agricultural operations.
“We reached different levels of farmers, including new beginning farmers with zero experience, farmers with some experience but not more than ten years in farming, and for experienced farmers,” Gonzalez said.
Beyond agriculture, LU Extension supports workforce development through community education programs. In Caruthersville, educator Adrienne A. Hunter-Green has helped older adults gain employment skills through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Senior Community Service Employment Program.
One participant, Dolores Williams, later joined Lincoln University’s workforce and remains active in Extension programs.
“Ms. Williams stated that Extension made a difference in her life simply through observation and engagement,” Hunter-Green said. “She stated it taught her many things. She experienced growth, increased her ability to focus and it also forwarded her the opportunity to work with children.”
In St. Louis, the university’s Urban Impact Center provides professional development and job training opportunities. Programs have included Microsoft 365 Excel instruction for government employees and workforce-readiness training for youth pursuing HiSET credentials.
“The goal for this program was to increase employees’ professional development skills and knowledge regarding Microsoft 365 Excel due to changes in their current and future workload and expected productivity,” Educator Marla Moore-Collins said.
Photo Credit: lincoln-university-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Education