The U.S. Land-Grant University System: Overview and Role in Agricultural Research

With the enactment of the first Morrill Act in 1862, the United States began a unique policy of providing government financial assistance for postsecondary education with an emphasis on agriculture and the mechanical arts.

Since then, a national system of land-grant colleges and universities has grown in breadth, reach, and excellence in teaching, research, and extension. Land-grant universities can be found in every state in the United States, as well as the District of Columbia. These institutions teach the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and citizens while also serving as the foundation for a national network of agricultural extension and experiment stations.