Sanborn Field

Sanborn Field is a 7-acre research farm at the University of Missouri featuring 38 experimental plots that test different crop management techniques and soil treatments. Each plot maintains identical dimensions to allow direct comparison of how various farming approaches affect soil and land over many years.

The field was established in 1888 by Dean J.W. Sanborn as the first facility in the United States to systematically measure erosion and agricultural impacts on soil. This pioneering work became the foundation for modern soil science and environmental monitoring methods.

The field functions as an outdoor classroom where students and researchers directly observe soil behavior under different management approaches. Visitors witness how agricultural decisions shape the land and what soil can reveal about farming practices over time.

The site sits at the intersection of Rollins Street and College Avenue on the eastern edge of the university campus and is straightforward to locate. Guided tours and demonstrations are available for visitors interested in learning about agricultural research methods and soil study.

In 1945, scientists discovered chlortetracycline, the first tetracycline antibiotic ever found, in soil samples taken from plot 23. This accidental finding during routine soil research later revolutionized medical treatment.

Location: Columbia

GPS coordinates: 38.94083,-92.32139

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:03