Welcome to Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
The first of the colleges established at Penn State, the College of Agricultural Sciences awarded the nation's first baccalaureate degrees in agriculture in 1861.
Since that time, we have continued to excel, earning an international reputation as a leader for change and a place for students, faculty, and staff to be innovators and collaborators to help solve regional and global challenges facing agriculture and humanity. One of the most pressing of those is how to feed a growing population – one that is estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 – without further damaging the environment.
Our focus is on the food and fiber system, the ecosystems in which those products are produced, and the people and socioeconomic systems that give value to all these elements. This perspective defines our unique niche and reinforces the relevance of our mission as we enter the next 100 years of agricultural extension and research.
Our research is discovering solutions that sustain food, clean water and energy supplies, protect and enhance natural resources and human health, and revitalize economies and communities in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Our educational programs – undergraduate and graduate resident education and in Extension – are producing leaders who demonstrate not only scientific and technical excellence, but also skills in critical thinking and communication, all packaged within an entrepreneurial spirit. With this vision, we are a transforming force in society.
What makes the College of Agricultural Sciences unique is the socioeconomic and sociocultural awareness that is always present when we address challenges, and our connections through Extension to the community. These countless connections position the college to help meet societal needs. As such, the college interfaces with virtually every other college at Penn State.
We invite you to learn more about our College and Penn State Extension by exploring this web site. Better yet, please consider scheduling a visit to campus. We are always delighted to share our story with others, especially those who want to join us in making the world a better place for all.
