LU Revives Carver's Wagon: 3D Printing for Rural Farmers | The Locally Times
A century after George Washington Carver's original, Lincoln University's Jesup Wagon 2.0 delivers modern agricultural education and tools, including 3D printing, directly to Missouri's rural communities.
A century after George Washington Carver pioneered mobile agricultural education, Lincoln University has revived his vision with Jesup Wagon 2.0, a modern classroom on wheels now traversing Missouri. Operated by LU's Cooperative Extension, the Jesup Wagon 2.0 delivers hands-on farming education directly to rural communities, continuing a legacy of direct outreach. ## Carver's Vision Reborn George Washington Carver designed the original Jesup Wagon in 1906: a horse-drawn mobile classroom. This pioneering initiative, as detailed by Lincoln University, aimed to equip farmers with practical knowledge and tools, sharing agricultural research and instruction directly in rural communities. At a time when many farmers had limited access to formal education, Carver's approach ensured key information reached them where they lived and worked. Lincoln University marked the Jesup Wagon 2.0's re-entry into service through the LU Cooperative Extension’s Small Farmers Outreach Program (ISFOP) during its recent George Washington Carver Heritage Days Celebration. ## Modern Tools for Today's Farmers Jesup Wagon 2.0 modernizes Carver's concept for today's agricultural demands, integrating both practical tools and cutting-edge technology. The mobile classroom carries long-handled implements designed to reduce physical strain during farm work, alongside seeders to improve field efficiency. Beyond these, the wagon features advanced technology, including a 3D printer and scanner. This equipment allows farmers to recreate small, missing, or broken tool parts on-site, offering an immediate solution when replacements are difficult to source or require lengthy shipping. Lucas explained the initiative aims to demonstrate that education and innovation are accessible, and that mobile outreach remains key today. ## Expanding Missouri's Reach Based in Joplin, the Jesup Wagon 2.0 travels to regional and state events across Missouri. A dedicated driver transports the mobile classroom to various locations. A formal scheduling system allows new and existing partners to reserve the wagon for educational activities such as workshops, conferences, and field demonstrations. The March 30 news release did not specify upcoming dates or locations for the Jesup Wagon 2.0's scheduled 2026 events, nor did it detail the specific types of agricultural education programs provided or its operational budget. ## Key Questions **What is the Jesup Wagon 2.0?** It is a mobile classroom operated by Lincoln University's Cooperative Extension, designed to deliver hands-on agricultural education to rural communities across Missouri. **What kind of tools and technology does it offer?** The wagon includes practical tools like long-handled equipment and seeders, alongside newer technology such as a 3D printer and scanner for creating tool parts. **How can communities access the Jesup Wagon 2.0?** A formal scheduling system allows partners to reserve the wagon for workshops, conferences, and field demonstrations, with Joplin serving as its home base.