Agricultural Colleges and Universities Key Terms

Understand terms used to describe agricultural college programs

By Kristina Seleshanko

If you'd like to go into agriculture, you will need a degree. As more and more people in the agricultural business retire, openings are easier to find. However, you will need excellent business knowledge, a science background and a thorough knowledge of specialty areas to be successful in this competitive field. Yet, as you search for agricultural colleges or universities, you may run across unfamiliar terms. Understanding key terms will help you find the best program for your needs.

National Scholars Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a National Scholars Program. It provides scholarships to Americans who are working on a bachelor's degree at certain agriculture colleges.
Try: The USDA offers more information on the National Scholars Program, including which disciplines you must study and who to contact for complete information.

Land grant university

Land-grant colleges or land grant institutions are American schools with resources received under the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, which funded schools by giving federal land to the states. In turn, the states established colleges on the land. Traditionally, land grant universities are schools of agriculture.
Try: To learn more, visit the NDSU, which gives a thorough explanation of the history of land grant universities and what they are today.

Life science

Most agricultural colleges teach life science, which looks at the structure and behavior of living things, including plants and animals.
Try: Go to the website for Cornell University, which explains its life sciences program, to learn more. Scroll down to the "Life Sciences" headline for more information.

Organic agriculture

Organic agriculture refers to farming methods as close to nature as possible. Schools covering organic agriculture teach the use of animal-product fertilizers; pesticides made from plants, sometimes called herbicides; and animals raised without the use of drugs, hormones or other chemicals.
Try: Visit Iowa State University for an explanation of its organic agriculture program.

Sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is an increasingly popular topic at agricultural universities. When agriculture is sustainable, it reduces damage to the soil, reduces water usage, protects water supplies and protects natural habitats.
Try: Go to the website for the University of California for an explanation on sustainable agriculture.

Technical institute

A technical institute may teach many things, including agriculture science. Sometimes the phrase technical institute also refers to a vocational school.
Try: Learn more at Ohio State University, which explains its technical programs.