Lijing Gao

Social scientist studying farmers’ conservation decisions, agricultural diversification and well-being in sustainable and regenerative agriculture

Lijing Gao is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Science Communication at the University of Missouri. Her research focuses on the social and behavioral dimensions of sustainable and regenerative agriculture, particularly farmers’ adoption of voluntary soil and water conservation practices, agricultural diversification, and farmers’ well-being. She examines how farmers’ values, stewardship motivations, economic conditions, and experiences with climate variability shape their conservation decisions and job and life satisfaction. Her work integrates social science perspectives to better understand farmers’ decision-making and support more sustainable, resilient agricultural systems. Dr. Gao earned her PhD in Sustainable Agriculture and Sociology, with a minor in Statistics, from Iowa State University. She previously conducted postdoctoral research at Boston College on cranberry growers’ climate change adaptation, water management, and sense of place. She currently serves as an Associate Editor for Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems.

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