Land Grant and Universities: A Primer

The history of land grant colleges of agriculture is intertwined with the history of  higher education for U.S. citizens of average means.
The land grant system began in 1862 with the passage of the Morrill Land Grant  Act. This law  gave states public lands provided the lands be sold or used for profit and the proceeds used to establish one college—hence, land grant colleges—that  would teach agriculture and the mechanical arts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) was instrumental in awarding of grants totaling $19 million for scholarships to deserving students at 1890 land grant colleges and universities. The scholarships are intended to encourage outstanding students at 1890 institutions to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields that would lead to a highly skilled food and agricultural systems workforce. Since the inception of these scholarships, the 1890 institutions have experienced an increase in the number of students enrolling in agricultural sciences and related disciplines. These scholarship recipients will receive engagement, mentoring, and training – all of which will be critical to increasing the number of graduates in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields.