By Blake Jackson
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) is leading several Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) projects designed to strengthen Missouri’s sheep and goat industry by improving producer knowledge, resources, and operational efficiency.
One such initiative, led by Dr. Mohan Acharya, is the three-year Sheep and Goats Master Training Programs in Missouri, funded with $91,926. Running from October 2023 through October 2026, the project trains educators in parasite management, forage production, soil nutrition, and marketing strategies.
Since its inception, the program has conducted 96 consultations, 12 webinars, four on-farm demonstrations, four farm visits, one field day, and produced four guides and other educational materials.
Acharya also heads Fencing in Silvopasture for Sheep and Goat Production Across Missouri, a related project funded with $49,896 through October 2025. This program teaches producers to install and manage fencing and water systems in silvopasture setups, which integrate trees, forage, and livestock.
Participants gain skills in using permanent and portable fencing, solar and battery-powered energizers, and designing grazing paddocks. Educational materials include guides, fact sheets, and supplier contacts.
Acharya reflected on a March 2025 training event with 37 attendees: “The participants increased their understanding on corner posts and bracing, line posts, gates, offset wires and other minor details about electric fences.”
To date, the project has conducted 140 consultations, eight on-farm demonstrations, one field day, one farm tour, and multiple lectures and webinars, reaching 105 of the targeted 150 farmers.
Another program, the Midwest Small Ruminant Educational Program Initiative (Midwest-SREPI), led by Dr. Homero Salinas-Gonzalez, is funded with $249,285 from January 2024 through January 2027.
Midwest-SREPI promotes regional collaboration, supports farmers, processors, vendors, and county agents, and teaches sustainable livestock practices including fecal egg-count testing, the FAMACHA anemia system, and pasture management.
"While organic production remains a piece of the project, the main focus now and in the future is really on helping farmers succeed in sheep and goat production through better health, reproduction, pasture management, nutrition and marketing,” Salinas said.
“And what excites me the most is that these skills don’t just help individual farmers they create stronger, more resilient farm families and communities that will carry these benefits well beyond the life of the project.”
LUCE’s initiatives reflect its commitment to supporting small-scale and underserved producers with research-based training and technical assistance.
For more information, contact Dr. Homero Salinas at Salinas-GonzalezH@lincolnu.edu or Dr. Mohan Acharya at AcharyaM@lincolnu.edu.
Photo Credit: istock-globalp
Categories: Missouri, Education, Livestock, Goats & Sheep