Missouri is well-known for the diversity of its natural resources that are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of the state

The quality of life of the state's citizens also depends on the health of its natural resources and the surrounding environment, particularly that of the air, land/soil, and water resources. However, these resources and the environment are experiencing increased pressure due to the dominance of input (e.g., synthetic fertilizers, tillage, pesticides)-dependent, highly specialized crop and livestock production systems combined with climate change-related stressors (e.g., record setting high and low temperatures, flooding, and droughts) - all of which have posed a significant threat to the sustainable provision of goods (e.g., food production and food safety) and services (e.g., clean air and water) for the missourians. In alignment with the USDA-nifa's research priorities, lincoln university's cooperative research (LUCR) program has been conducting research in the following areas: 1) animal science, 2) soil health and crop sciences, 3) food nutrition and safety, 4) natural resource management, and 5) social-economics. LUCR aims to continue developing impactful, innovative, and multidisciplinary research programs that effectively address emerging and critical issues facing missouri's natural resources, agricultural industry, and rural communities as well as strengthen lincoln university's capacity to better address the needs of missouri farmers and ranchers. LUCR faculty members have been contributing to the development of climate-resilient agricultural and food systems for sustaining production, enhancing ecosystem health, and safeguarding human health and quality of life for missouri residents. The LUCR program and its multifaceted research projects specifically target those who have been historically underserved, while also contributing to the diversity of the nation's future stem-agricultural workforce. Of the six critical issues identified, LUCR capacity research efforts are primarily focused on the following three areas: 1) sustainable and resilient agriculture systems, 2) environmental and natural resources, and 3) health and healthy futures. Under the critical issue of environment and natural resources, LUCR current capacity research projects that have been initiated and approved by nifa are focused on the areas of climate change impacts, soil health and regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, renewable bioenergy, and GIS/remote sensing technology applications. Ongoing capacity research projects under the critical issue of sustainable and resilient agriculture systems are focused on the following areas: small ruminant (SHEEP/GOAT) breeding, productive physiology, grazing mana gement, poultry operation, aquaculture, hydroponic operation, integrated pest management, specialty crops and value-added products, emergent vegetable disease control, and organic farming. Capacity research projects under the critical issue of health and healthy futures are currently focused on the areas of sensor development for detection of foodborne pathogens, drinking water quality and safety, and emerging environmental contaminants. The overall goal of capacity research efforts in the LUCR program is to help farmers and rural communities - especially small farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners - adopt climate-smart management practices for sustainability and resilience of agriculture and natural resources to withstand increasingly variable weather conditions, promote environmental awareness and ecosystem health, and protect human health from food and drinking water contamination. Continued financial support from both nifa and the state of missouri is therefore critical to strengthen the research capacity of lincoln university to be able to address the needs of missouri's farmers and ranchers, especially those who have been historically marginalized and underserved.