Leon Schumacher

Department Chair

Faculty

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Dr. Leon Schumacher

Degrees

  • Ph.D. Agricultural Education Agricultural Education and Mechanization, Iowa State University. 1987.
  • M.S. Agricultural Education Agricultural Education and Vocational Education, North Dakota State University. 1984.
  • B.S. Agricultural Education Agricultural Education and Physical Sciences. North Dakota State University. 1977.

Previous Research

While at the University of Missouri I focused on energy conservation and the use of alternative fuels for diesel engines. I have demonstrated to Missouri farmers that standard maintenance procedures to the engine and proper ballasting of farm tractors can increase their efficiency, saving them both time and money (and energy).

Hobbies

My hobbies include hunting and fishing (mostly fishing) and other related outdoors activities.

Areas of Study & Research

Since 1992, I researched the use of a biodegradable, non-toxic, cleaner burning fuel for diesel engines- biodiesel. Biodiesel is made from mono alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids. The fuel is derived from renewable lipid sources. Operationally, it performs similar to low-sulfur diesel (LSD) in terms of power, torque, and fuel economy.

During the last few years I have researched ideas pertaining to digital systems that will be part of smart farms, and how the internet of things (IoT), along with precision agriculture, will bring about the adoption of these technologies. It is our belief that the farms and food processing facilities of the future will be more sustainable as these digital systems are adopted.

Other Research Interests

I have researched ideas pertaining to the internet of things (IoT), along with precision agriculture, and how autonomous systems will become common place in both production agriculture and in food production- both crops and livestock. Farm systems (crop and livestock) and food processing facilities of the future will be more sustainable as digital systems are adopted.

Courses Taught

Courses taught at the University of Missouri
Agricultural Systems Management
• ASM 1020 – Intro to Agricultural Systems Management
• ASM 2320 – Internal Combustion Engines
• ASM 2340 – Pesticide Application Equipment
• ASM 3350 – Special Problem in Agricultural Systems Management
• ASM 4140 – Electricity: Wiring and Equipment
• ASM 4220 – Material Handling and Conditioning
• ASM 4320 - Ag Machinery
• ASM 4970 – Capstone Course in Agricultural Systems Management
• ASM 7370 – In-Service Course in Agricultural Systems Management
• ASM 8340 – Mechanized Systems Management
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
• AFNR 2191 – Study Abroad (Germany, England, Brazil, Costa Rica)
Food Science (service course for the Division)
• FS 9402 – Advance Research Methods

Practical Arts & Vocational Technical Education (earlier University course structure)
• F299 - Student Teaching in Agricultural Education
• F303 - Methods of Teaching Agricultural Education
•F306 - Methods of Teaching Agricultural Mechanics, taught writing intensive, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
• F400 - Problems in Agricultural Education – Electricity
• F400 - Problems in Agricultural Education Small Engines
• F420 - Advanced Methods of Teaching Agricultural Mechanics
• F450 - Advanced Methods of Agricultural Management
• F470 - In-services Course in Agricultural Education Electricity F470
•F490 - Research in Agricultural Education

Courses taught at North Dakota State University
Agricultural Education
• 304 - Advising FFA Chapters
• 305 - Coordinating Occupational Experience Programs in Agriculture
• 314 - FFA Leadership
• 481 - Methods of Teaching Vocational Agriculture
• 484 - Student Teaching Seminar
• 485 - Supervision of Student Teaching
• 504 - The FFA Program
• 505 - Supervised Experience Programs in Agriculture
• 587 - Beginning Teacher Program
Education
• 461 - Teaching Strategies/Techniques

Courses taught at Iowa State University
Agricultural Mechanization
• 180 - BASIC Programming, Microcomputers in Agriculture
• 181 Software Applications, Microcomputers in Agriculture
• 250 - Concrete and Construction
• 285 - Metals and Welding
• 348 - Small Gas Engines

Previous Work

Prior to my current role as Chair of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department, I previously taught courses to Agricultural Systems Technology majors for the Division of Plant Science and Technology at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Current Grants

7-1-2022 to 6-30-2023. Enhancing educational opportunities for the next generation of precision agriculture practitioners. This Grant was awarded to the Ag and Biosystems Engineering Program at North Dakota State University.

Awards & Honors

Research, Innovation, and Scholarship
• Provost's Award for Leadership in International Education, 2021
• Awarded Grade of ASABE Fellow, 2017
• Presidential Award, American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers, 2014
• Biodiesel Innovation Award, National Biodiesel Board, 2013
• Great Idea Award, Ag*Idea Consortium, 2012
• Board of Trustees, American Soc. of Ag. & Biological Engineers, 2011
• Great Idea Award, Ag*Idea Consortium, 2010
• Distinguished Manuscript, American Association for Agricultural Education Research Conference. Omaha, Nebraska. May 27, 2010.
• Elected Full Member, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2006
• One of three ASAE members who were interviewed for the TV documentary, "Voices of Vision." 2003-2004
• Superior Paper Award, ASABE, 1996
• Research Award, Missouri Soybean Association, 1993
• Outstanding Young Member, AAAE, 1993
• Outstanding Young Member, AAAE Central Region, 1993

Teaching, Advising, and Mentoring
• Allan W. Purdy Award, College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (CAFNR), 2013
• Excellence in Advising Award, Advisors Forum & Office of the Provost, 2004
• Recipient of the Missouri Academic Advising Association, 2004
• Honorary State FFA Degree, Missouri FFA Association, 2004
• Golden Apple Teaching Award, CAFNR, 2003
• Excellence in Teaching Award, MU Division of Student Affairs, 2003
• Outstanding Instructor Award, CAFNR Ag Steering Week Committee, 2002
• VIP Award, National FFA Organization, 1999
• Outstanding Teaching Award, CAFNR, 1999
• Distinguished Service Award, National FFA Organization, 1998
• Honorary American FFA Degree, 1996
• Consultant Award, National FFA Organization, 1996

Professional Associations

National
• American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, 1987-Present.
• American Society of Automotive Engineers, 1994- Present.
• American Association of Agriculture Educators (formerly AATEA), Life Member, 1985.
• Association for Career and Technical Education (formerly AVA), 1977-1983; 1985-Present
• National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, 1989-Present.
• National Association of Agriculture Educators (formerly NVATA), Student member, 1985-1986; Association member, 1977-1983, 1987-Present.
• National FFA Alumni Association, Life Member, 1991- Present.


State
• Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, 1987-1989, 1990-1996.
• Missouri Vocational Association, 1987-1989, 1990-1996.


Societies
• Alpha Tau Alpha,1989-Present
• Alpha Mu Delta, 1989-Present
• Gamma Sigma Delta, 1986-Present
• Phi Kappa Phi, 1986-2022

University Affiliations

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Publications

Refereed Papers
1. Cooper, J. V., Suman, S. P., Wiegand, B. R., Schumacher, L. G., & Lorenzen, C. L. (2017). Light source influences color stability and lipid oxidation in steaks from low color stability beef Triceps brachii muscle. Meat & Muscle Biology, 1, 149-156. (20%)

2. Firman, J. D., McFadden, T. B., Schumacher, L. G., & Leigh, M. (2017). Efficacy of various wavelengths of monochromatic light emitting diode illumination on growth and performance of broiler chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 16, 475-480. (25%)

3. Lorenzen, CL, Wiegand, BR, Schumacher, LG, Gruen, IU, Koc B, Cooper JV. (2016). Impact of novel and contemporary light sources on oxidation of fresh ground beef. Journal of Animal Science. 2016: 94:4457-4462. (20%)

4. Saucier, P. R., McKim, B.R., Terry, Jr., R., & Schumacher, L.G. (2014). A performance competence-based needs assessment of Missouri school-based agricultural educators in agricultural mechanics laboratory management. The Journal of Agricultural Systems, Technology, and Management. (25, 26–43). (15%)

Book – Chapters

  1. Schumacher, L.G., Van Gerpen J., & Adams, B. (2004) Biodiesel Fuels. Encyclopedia of Energy. Elsevier Science. 525 B. Street, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA. (final submission for printing Sept. 30, 2003).
  2. Schumacher, L.G. (2004) Biodiesel Lubricity. Chapter in the Biodiesel Handbook. AOCS Press. Champaign, IL.

Presentations

Non-Refereed Papers/Technical Reports/Conference Papers (90)

  1. Schumacher, L. G, Zhou, J. (2020) Measurement and Control for Ag Systems. Presented at the Virtual annual ASABE Annual Convention 2020.
  2. Schumacher, L. G, Zhou, J. (2020) TV White Space- Bridging the Internet to the Field. Presented at the Virtual annual ASABE Annual Convention 2020.
  3. Schumacher, L.G, Zhou, J. Smart Farms and the Digital Age – A Reality. ASABE Paper number 1857, 2019 Boston, Massachusetts, July 7-13, 2019.
  4. Zhou, J., Schumacher, L.G, Yin, Jianjun. Development of a framework for Internet of things (IoT)-based precision farming. ASABE Paper number 1900611, 2019 Boston, Massachusetts, July 7-13, 2019.
  5. Zhou, J., Beattie, A., Zhou, J., & Schumacher, L. G. (2017). Develop a low-cost remote monitoring and control system for poultry barn. Presented at the 2017 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Spokane, WA. http://doi.org/10.13031/aim.201701286 https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=48065.
  6. Zhou, J., Beattie, A., Zhou, J., & Schumacher, L. G. (2017). Develop a low-cost remote monitoring and control system for poultry barn. Presented at the 2017 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Spokane, WA. http://doi.org/10.13031/aim.201701286 https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=48065.
  7. Callahan, Z. D., Cooper, J. V., Wiegand, B. R., Suman, S. P., Schumacher, L. G., & Lorenzen, C. L. (2017). Impact of lighting technologies on beef steaks from the semimembranosus; a color stable muscle. In. Presented at the 70th Reciprocal Meat Conference, College Station, TX: American Meat Science Association. (20%)
  8. Schumacher, L. G., Robertson, B. K., & Shannon, D. K. (2017). University of Missouri Precision Agriculture Certificate Program. In . Presented at the annual ASABE Annual Convention, Spokane, Washington. (50%)
  9. Schumacher, L. G., Skouby, D., & Yost, M. (2017). A Content Review of Precision Agriculture Courses across the United States. In ASABE (Ed.). Presented at the ASABE Annual Convention, Spokane, Washington. (50%)
  10. Zhou, J., Beattie, A., Zhou, J., & Schumacher, L. G. (2017). Develop a low-cost remote monitoring and control system for poultry barn. In . Presented at the 2017 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Spokane, WA. http://doi.org/10.13031/aim.201701286 https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=48065 (10%)