Southeast, Lincoln University partner for agriculture education

Southeast Missouri State University and Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., have partnered in order to expand their agriculture research and education programs. With this partnership, students will be able to enroll in courses at both universities via online or interactive television formats, according to a news release from Southeast.

"The agriculture faculty of Southeast Missouri State University and Lincoln University have been working closely as partners on several projects, including biofuels, blueberry production, irrigation and water quality. We are looking to have more cooperative research experiences in horticulture, animal science and biofuels," says Dr. Michael Aide, chair of the agriculture department at Southeast.

Each university will offer courses based on its strengths or advantages, offering opportunities to students at each university that they may not have had otherwise.

"As an example, Lincoln University has experience and facilities for sheep and goats, whereas Southeast Missouri State University has similar advantages in beef cattle. Thus, if we cooperate, our students gain," says Aide.

Both universities have undergraduate programs in sweet sorghum biofuels/biomass research. By working together, Aide hopes the schools will be able to have a bigger impact educationally and agriculturally.

"Sweet sorghum has the potential to replace corn as the main plant for producing ethanol. Collectively, we are able to increase our ability to favorably impact farm profitability," he says.

Aide says Lincoln University began offering hydrology courses to Southeast students last year; faculty are now focusing on expanding horticulture and animal science courses. Southeast faculty have been traveling to Lincoln to work out the course offerings and rotation, with plans to begin the actual coursework in the spring 2014 semester.