About the College

Building relationships and meeting needs - it has been the focus of the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for nearly 150 years. As the first college of the first land grant institution in America - from the first day of the first class - this college's calling has been to bring knowledge to the people of Michigan.

MSU has pioneered advancements in agricultural and natural resource research, scholarship and extension ranging from Malcolm Trout's process for homogenizing milk, the hybridization of corn by William Beal, the pioneering horticultural work of Liberty Hyde Bailey and early consumer advocate Robert C. Kedzie's work organizing the forerunner of MSU Extension in 1876, to today's research in animal and plant biotechnology, control of invasive species, control of pathogens, protection of biodiversity, management of urban sprawl, environmental remediation and the sustainability of agricultural and natural resource systems.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources encompass a broad view of agriculture and natural resources, including sustainable agriculture and natural resource systems; food and nutrition; community, family and youth development; technology and process management; and international programs. Academic programs in 13 departments, schools and programs include undergraduate, graduate programs in Agricultural Economics; Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Animal Science; Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies; Construction Management; Crop and Soil Sciences; Entomology; Fisheries and Wildlife; Food Science & Human Nutrition; Forestry; Horticulture; Plant Pathology; and Packaging, and two-year certificate courses in Agricultural Technology.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, together with the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) offer an array of expertise that reflects the breadth and diversity of the agricultural and natural resource base of Michigan. We serve the people of Michigan through research, education and outreach that engages citizens in exploring solutions to problems in agriculture, urban and rural land use, food systems, the environment, tourism, wildlife management, and human and community development.

Every Michigan resident has access to the knowledge generated by faculty members, researchers and professional staff within the CANR, MAES and MSUE. Faculty members cultivate a learning environment that educates and prepares students to become industry leaders with the skills necessary to meet the needs of food, agriculture and natural resource systems, while helping communities make informed decisions on issues that impact the sustainability of those systems.

MAES scientists on campus and at 15 experiment facilities throughout Michigan, conduct research focused on the agricultural, natural resource and rural and urban area needs of the community. MSU Extension agents, researchers and specialists work with citizens in every county of the state to find solutions to problems, enhance productivity practices and protect food from the farm to the fork, while ensuring the economic, environmental and social sustainability of agriculture and natural resources. MSU experts work in concert with community partners, organizations, policymakers, individuals and families to identify and advance the needs of children, youth and families in Michigan.

From your home to families a world away, the CANR builds relationships to meet societal needs. The College reaches around the world with a host of international projects focused on collaborative research with host country scientists; food security for underdeveloped countries; exchanges of faculty, researchers and students with foreign institutions; short courses and training programs through the Institute of International Agriculture; and the largest study abroad program of any college of agriculture and natural resources in the U.S. Our students are well educated and well prepared to enter the global agricultural and natural resources economy.