Research Farms & Forests
The Center for Agroforestry specializes in applied research that translates to real-world situations and on-farm systems. Our experimentation narrows important gaps in understanding agroforestry systems with the ultimate goal of providing a foundation of scientific data and farm-level successes to fuel more widespread adoption.
Much of this land-based investigation and observation takes place within the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station (MOAES), which spans nearly 14,000 acres across the state. MOAES has a storied history of major impacts in advancing science in agriculture, food and natural resources on local, national, and global levels.
Two of the MOAES farm locations detailed on this map have an especially close relationship with long-term agroforestry research: the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm in New Franklin and the Land of the Osages Research Center in the Ozarks; however, several other research farms have active agroforestry projects. Read more about these sites below, and find the agroforestry study site nearest to you:
Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm
The Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm, near New Franklin, Missouri, sits at the interface of the loess hills and Missouri River bottom and provides a scenic, historic and scientific setting for development of horticultural- and agroforestry-related studies. Interdisciplinary cooperation allows researchers from multiple disciplines – including entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, agronomy, animal science, and agroforestry – to combine research efforts to address an array of issues. Integrated studies of crop, livestock, and forestry practices are occurring, as is the development of superior lines for timber, nut meat and specialty fruit production. The Farm also hosts the Flood Tolerance Laboratory and Drought Simulator.
Land of the Osages Research Center
Located near Laurie, Missouri, on a western edge of Lake of the Ozarks, the Land of the Osages Research Center (LORC) is a landscape rich in history and ecological diversity. The naming recognizes the Osage Nation history associated with lands in Missouri. A primary goal of land management at LORC will be the demonstration and research of agroforestry practices that simultaneously offer economically viable solutions for small farms while enhancing the quality of the landscape through stewardship and conservation. The Center naming and land management strategies will provide us with a unique opportunity to connect with Ozark communities and the Osage Nation.