LU and MOA Unite for First Organic Research Event

By Blake Jackson

Despite rainy weather and a late-season date, Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) and the Missouri Organic Association (MOA) hosted their first Busby Field Day on October 18 at LU’s Alan T. Busby Farm, the university’s fully certified organic research facility.

The 2025 event marked both the first collaboration between LU and MOA and the first field day at Busby Farm since before the COVID-19 pandemic, ending a five-year gap. Organizers hope to make it an annual event, ideally held earlier in the harvest season.

Before becoming an organic operation, Busby Farm served as grazing land, produced hay, and supported aquaculture research. The move to organic farming began under Dr. Steve Meredith, former dean of LU’s College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences.

Although initially met with resistance, his goal was not to compare organic and conventional systems but to provide a hands-on resource for organic producers - a mission that continues today.

“To the best of my knowledge, there are no other universities that have an entire farm committed to organic production,” said Chris Boeckmann, LU’s superintendent of farms.

Boeckmann, who farmed conventionally for 25 years, described how his thinking evolved during the transition. “It’s a completely different mindset,” he said. “You can no longer reach for the antibiotic or the jug of Roundup. To be a successful organic producer, you have to understand holistic management.” Boeckmann added that success requires natural solutions like using livestock to graze weeds.

MOA’s participation aimed to strengthen Missouri’s organic community. “What we’re hoping to accomplish is to bring more awareness to organics in general - what’s being done behind the scenes with research,” said Grace Ames of MOA. “We also want to make people more aware of both Busby and MOA. This was the perfect location.”

Despite weather reducing the expected 70 participants, attendees such as Allan and Ita Sherry of Hermann, Missouri, remained enthusiastic. “We’re not certified organic; we just don’t want to spray anything we don’t have to,” they said. “This has been fascinating - this is what we’ve been looking for: ways to help us understand our environment better.”

Boeckmann said feedback from the event will guide future collaborations, asking, “What should we be doing?” and “Are we on target?”

Photo Credit: lincoln-university-missouri