Lincoln University Partners with Noble for Ag Training

By Blake Jackson

Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) and the Noble Research Institute are continuing their partnership to provide affordable educational programs that help farmers and ranchers improve soil health, grazing management, and farm profitability.

The collaboration is designed to give producers practical tools and management strategies that support stronger and more sustainable agricultural operations.

“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 develops programs focused on regenerative agriculture, helping producers improve land stewardship while strengthening business performance.

“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.”

Courses are open to producers of all experience levels and emphasize the relationship between soil, forage, livestock, and financial success.

“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.

Program offerings include Land Essentials, Grazing Essentials, Profitability Essentials, Business of Grazing, MarketSMART Ranching, and Orchard Essentials.

“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.”

Smith noted that producers have already implemented practices such as adaptive grazing and cover cropping after attending previous courses, improving soil cover and reducing hay needs.

“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.

Lincoln University will host Noble’s Land Essentials and Grazing Essentials courses in September as part of ongoing efforts to help producers build healthier land, increase efficiency, and strengthen long-term farm profitability.

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