Missouri Farmer Adam Boman on Farming, Conservation, and Learning from the Land
On 160 acres of pastureland in Pierce City, Missouri, Adam Boman is building a farm rooted in both production and purpose, where livestock, land stewardship, and long-term sustainability are closely intertwined.
Boman manages Good Life Grass Farms, a diverse operation, raising about 200 hair sheep ewes, 15 beef cows, and additional cattle for grass-fed production. Sheep are at the heart of the business, alongside a commitment to producing high-quality grass-fed beef and lamb.
Agriculture has been part of Boman’s life since childhood, though his path into full-time farming wasn’t always certain. Over time, his perspective shifted, shaped by a growing appreciation for the connection between conservation and agriculture. “I’ve had livestock since I was probably about five years old… but as I got older, I really realized that the integration of conservation and agriculture was really what I wanted to do.”
That philosophy extends beyond farming. As an avid hunter and fisherman, Boman sees himself as both a producer and a steward of the land. “I’m also a big hunter and fisher… just love the land.”
It’s that mindset that led him to join the From The Ground Up (FTGUp) Project, a farmer-led research initiative focused on researching efficient conservation practices under real-world, farm conditions in Ohio and Missouri. Backed by researchers from The Ohio State University, University of Missouri, Central State University, Lincoln University, and non-profit partner Solutions from the Land, farmers are designing their own research projects with scientists supporting them. Yield stability, protection from extreme weather, and profitability are key outcomes that the farmer-led research is investigating.
At first, Boman admits, the idea sounded almost unbelievable. “I was told that the farmers were going to be able to design the research. And I was like, ‘oh, that sounds too good to be true.’” But the project delivered exactly that, putting farmers in the driver’s seat when it comes to shaping research questions, methods, and outcomes. “That definitely was how it was set up. The purpose of it was to have it be led by farmers. So the research would be more applicable and more producer focused.”
Now in its early stages, the project is already generating momentum. Participating farmers are collecting baseline soil data, refining their approaches, and preparing for several more years of collaborative learning. “We’ve learned a lot this first year. We’re really excited about the next three years. We’ve added a couple more producers onto our project. Everyone’s excited about getting their soil samples and seeing where our baselines are,” he explained.
For Boman, one of the most powerful aspects of the project is its grounding in real-world conditions. Unlike traditional research conducted on controlled plots, this work unfolds on active farms where weather, management decisions, and day-to-day challenges all play a role. “I think it’s pretty powerful coming from a real-world example compared to traditional research that may not relate well to some of the real-world situations.”
He believes that realism will ultimately make the findings more meaningful and more persuasive to other farmers. “It’ll be exciting to see how folks are maybe more receptive and encouraged by the data because it is done on real farms.”
Beyond the data itself, Boman values the relationships and knowledge exchange the project fosters. Working alongside researchers and fellow producers has opened the door to deeper understanding of complex systems like soil biology and nutrient cycling. “Another aspect is to get to interact with the researchers and get feedback back and forth to get honest and raw opinions. And just the network and learning about nitrogen cycling, soil health sampling protocols, among others.”
Through farmer-led research and a commitment to learning, Boman is helping shape a model of agriculture that is both productive and enduring.
By Joseph Opoku Gakpo
