Agriculture programs are often associated with rural fields far from city life. But at Missouri State University, agriculture education is thriving right in the city of Springfield.  

The Darr Agricultural Center is a 90-acre farm just 10 minutes away from the Springfield campus. It provides students with valuable hands-on experience in animal care and modern agriculture practices. 

Dr. Melissa Bledsoe, dean of Missouri State’s Darr College of Agriculture, shares with FarmProgress how the center expands opportunities for students, from agriculture technology to veterinary medicine.