Since the establishment of the University of Nebraska in 1869 and its commitment to the terms of the land-grant college act, instruction in agriculture and natural resources has provided opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to develop intellectually and meet the challenges of their era. In 1887 research programs were established and in 1914 the cooperative extension service was created. In 1974 the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources was formed, bringing under one roof the varied agricultural and natural resources programs--College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Division, Cooperative Extension and numerous departments and centers.

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources offers academic programs challenging undergraduate and graduate students to explore and discover through new technologies, ways to conquer the complex changes in agriculture, life sciences, natural resources, the environment, the economy, society, and geopolitical structures and to bring about solutions to the demands and issues of tomorrow’s exciting world. The School of Natural Resources was formed in August 1997 and coordinates the college’s programs in natural resources.

Through the College’s tradition of scholarly excellence, in conjunction with the versatility of undergraduate and graduate study programs, students are able to pursue educational studies that will prepare them for competitive careers. The College promotes undergraduate and graduate programs that bring students and faculty members together in inquiry, discovery and integration of learning, application and problem-solving across the disciplines of the College and the University. Highly qualified faculty members, dedicated to learning and recognized for their scholarly activity in teaching, research, and extension, provide instruction and advising to undergraduate and graduate students.

The Agricultural Research Division is the research component of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Most of the research faculty are on joint appointments as teaching faculty in the College. Research scientists are located on the East Campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well as at research and extension centers throughout the State. A broad range of modern research laboratories, greenhouses, and land is used for investigation. World-class resources add to other facilities in food science and technology, a Food Science Processing Center and an Animal Science Complex. Opportunities are available for assistantships and fellowships for qualified graduate students.

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) offers the following distance education courses and degree programs: master of applied science, master of applied science with focus in community development, master of business administration with a specialization in agribusiness, and master of science in entomology. A graduate certificate in food safety and defense is also available.

Graduate programs leading to the masters of science degree and/or doctor of philosophy degree are offered through the Departments of Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication; Agronomy and Horticulture; Animal Science; Biochemistry; Biological Systems Engineering; Entomology; Food Science and Technology; Statistics; Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences; the School of Natural Resources; and in numerous programs and areas of specialization such as Plant Pathology.