Agriculture brings together a wide range of disciplines, including animal and land management, food science, economics, horticulture, technology, and environmental conservation. Following inventions and innovations ranging from seed drills to crop fertilization by drone, agriculture has become a science for several centuries.

Agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity and nurture a 9.7 billion people by 2050. It is also crucial for economic growth: in 2018, it accounted for 4% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and in some developing countries it can represent more than 25% of GDP.

Change does not happen overnight, which is why it is essential that the current and future generation of change agents are equipped with forward-thinking strategies and agricultural theory. A degree in this dynamic field is your opportunity to use science, technology, and business to solve critical sustainability issues and build a career with lasting impact. Here are four universities in North America that teach exactly that:

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University

Are you interested in innovation in plant science? The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at North Carolina State University is rapidly becoming the global hub for education, research, innovation and development. development and supply of solutions in plant sciences.

The university’s unique location in North Carolina – which has the third most diverse agricultural economy in the United States, with more than 90 cash crops and a large presence in animal agriculture – makes them uniquely qualified to meet the challenges of major challenges of agriculture. CALS is recognized worldwide for the quality of its teaching and for developing professional leaders and preparing students for graduate research.

NC State University recently launched the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative, which aims to improve the world through innovation in plant science. This is done with the support of more than 44 farm organizations and the help of long-standing partners. The university is home to 18 research stations with collaborative research conducted in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service and scientists from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

NC State University is world famous for its plant breeding programs, but it also has a large research portfolio of more than US $ 130 million in annual expenditure, supporting 600 active projects. Much of this research involves graduate students, providing practical learning and research opportunities.

The university serves as a unique training ground for a new generation of problem solvers. Students can choose from a selection of programs including biological and agricultural engineering; Plant and microbial biology; Food, Bioprocess and Nutritional Sciences; and phytopathology.

Purdue University, College of Agriculture

96% employment rate or enrollment in graduate programs within one year of graduation. Transformative experiences that change your outlook and outlook on the world, with options ranging from undergraduate research and study abroad to leadership training and internship opportunities. Administrators, faculty and staff are dedicated to supporting and advocating for students and are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture within a highly ranked and world-renowned university.

Purdue Agriculture is a global leader in providing students with a world of possibilities to explore. Source: Purdue University College of Agriculture

These characteristics define Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading colleges in agriculture, food, life, and natural resource sciences.

Purdue Agriculture offers over 30 specializations in a wide range of disciplines, such as business and marketing; wildlife and forestry; food and fermentation science; landscape architecture; animal sciences; environmental and natural resource engineering; plant sciences; sustainable food and agriculture; and biochemistry.

As a graduate of Purdue Agriculture, you can capitalize on the strong employment market for graduates with interests and expertise gained in the majors offered here. To learn more about how Purdue Agriculture prepares students to make a difference, click here.

College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

If you’re looking to carve out a career in conservation and natural resources, there’s no better place to build the foundation for a solid career than at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point’s College of Natural Resources.

The University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, has been a premier natural resource college for over 50 years in North America. Source: University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

UW-Stevens Point’s College of Natural Resources has been a leader in the field for over 50 years. It is an educational and research organization focused on the environment and sustainability. Its strength lies in its interdisciplinary approach and the emphasis on practical experiences in the field. As a result, UW-Stevens Point empowers its students to live sustainably, think critically, and achieve long-term career success in a diverse world.

UW-Stevens Point’s College of Natural Resources offers six distinct academic disciplines and provides comprehensive foundational training in conservation law enforcement, environmental education and interpretation, fisheries and water resources. ; Forestry; Planning of natural resources; Paper science and chemical engineering; Soils and waste resources; Durability; Wildlife ecology and wildlife education.

These specializations provide students with many career opportunities ranging from conservation stewards, fisheries biologists, scientific researchers, ecologists, foresters, wildlife technicians, soil scientists to water resource managers and many fields. new and developing careers. Their graduates find employment all over the world in various fields of natural resources and conservation, as well as in the paper science and engineering industries.

Its unique location, at the crossroads of the Wisconsin River Valley and the Central Sands region of Wisconsin, makes it an ideal place to study conservation and natural resources.

University of Wyoming

Founded in 1886, the University of Wyoming is a nationally recognized land grant research institution with an expert faculty, leading academic programs, and world-class facilities. If you are looking for smart solutions to today’s environmental problems, start with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

A place where you can put your knowledge into practice, UW provides agriculture students with the tools they need to deal with today’s environmental crises. Source: University of Wyoming

Here, you will be immersed in UW’s proactive leadership in education and scholarship to cultivate healthy and sustainable systems for Wyoming’s agriculture, environment, and natural resources, as well as rural communities. It’s a place where you can put your knowledge into practice, as UW provides agriculture students with the tools they need to deal with today’s environmental crises.

The college is assisted by their university-wide interdisciplinary departments, including the departments of: Agricultural and Applied Economics; Agricultural communications; Animal science; Ecosystem science and management; Family and consumer sciences; Molecular biology; Plant sciences and veterinary sciences.

In 2021, the college is adapting to COVID-19. “The campus certainly has a different atmosphere than it did last year, but our faculty members and students are finding creative ways to adapt to what appears to be an ever-changing situation,” wrote John Ritten, Acting Associate Dean and Director of Wyoming Agricultural Experimentation. Station, in the college magazine “Reflections”. “While we can’t wait to put this behind us, please know that we are doing our part to keep the college moving forward while working to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff and members. faculty. “