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Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program

A collage of a group of five people in a forest, smiling and holding tools like chainsaws, a handsaw, and a drill, dressed in work attire, a group of people seated in folding chairs under a tree learn how to clear brush, an instructor oversees as adults and children work in raised garden beds, and a large group of children in teal t-shirts gather outside under trees to learn farm techniques

ABOUT THE INNOVATIVE SMALL FARMERS' OUTREACH PROGRAM (ISFOP)

ISFOP is part of Lincoln University’s Cooperative Extension (LUCE). The program is committed to assisting small farmers, particularly those from underrepresented and underserved populations, to negotiate the many challenges associated with growing food, raising livestock, and maintaining financial stability.

With access to numerous State Extension Specialists at Lincoln University, ISFOP staff strive to identify problems and develop solutions to the diverse conditions facing small farmers across the State of Missouri.

HOW CAN ISFOP HELP SMALL FARMERS AND GROWERS?

The ISFOP staff offers education and up-to-date, evidence-based information on a variety of farming topics to help farmers achieve their goals, including but not limited to:

  • Write farm and business plans
  • Improve farming skills
  • Adopt sustainable farming practices
  • Improve record-keeping systems
  • Increase production yields
  • Reduce production input costs
  • Add value to your products
  • Find high-value markets
  • Explore new niche enterprises
  • Identify grant opportunities
  • 1:1 trainings
  • Hands-on workshops
  • Referrals to State Extension Specialists in areas like soil health, Pest Management, MO Native Species, poultry and small ruminants

URBAN FOCUS

In addition to working with small farmers and ranchers in rural locations, we also focus on urban food production in Missouri’s larger population areas. One of our goals is to help urban residents access fresh, nutritious produce. We have established relationships with urban growers and community garden organizations that promote urban agriculture. If you are interested in starting a backyard garden, or expanding your urban growing space in your neighborhood, please contact us.

WORKSHOPS

ISFOP staff responds to the specific needs of small farmers and growers in the different regions of our state. As interests arise in various aspects of farming, and the varied locations we serve, relevant workshops or trainings are created.

Past workshops offered by ISFOP have included:

  • Community Gardening
  • Mushroom growing
  • Composting
  • Herbal medicine
  • Goat Farming
  • Vegetable Grafting
  • Native Plants for Pollination and in Landscaping
  • Soil health
  • Raised bed growing
  • Poultry enterprise
  • High Tunnel construction and management
  • Greenhouse growing
  • Fruit tree cultivation

ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible to participate in the ISFOP if ...

  • You are a new farmer or an urban gardener in need of assistance
  • Your family lives on a farm
  • Your family provides the management and most of the labor on your farm
  • Your total family income is less than $50,000 annually
  • You have innovative ideas, and you want to improve your farm income

 

OUTREACH AREAS

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Additional LUCER Resources

Meet the Innovative small farmerS' outreach program (ISFOP) Team
Image of Dr. Mark Lucas

Contact

To become part of the ISFOP family of Missouri small farms and growers, please contact the director.

Dr. Mark Lucas
Innovative Small Farmer's Outreach Program (ISFOP) Director
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension
900 Chestnut Street
105 Allen Hall
Jefferson City, MO 65101
P: 573-681-5584
E: LucasM@LincolnU.edu

Abena Oppong-Ampofo
ISFOP Program Assistant
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension
900 Chestnut Street
215 Allen Hall
Jefferson City, MO 65101
P: 573-681-5633
E: Oppong-AmpofoA@LincolnU.edu

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