Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of land and breeding of animals and plants to provide food, fiber, medicinal plants and other products to sustain and enhance life. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. The study of agriculture is known as agricultural science. The history of agriculture dates back thousands of years; people gathered wild grains at least 105,000 years ago and began to plant them around 11,500 years ago before they became domesticated. Pigs, sheep, and cattle were domesticated over 10,000 years ago. Crops originate from at least 11 regions of the world. Industrial agriculture based on large-scale monoculture has in the past century come to dominate agricultural output, though about 2 billion people worldwide still depend on subsistence agriculture.
Modern agronomy, plant breeding, agrochemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers, and technological developments have sharply increased yields from cultivation, but at the same time have caused widespread ecological and environmental damage. Selective breeding and modern practices in animal husbandry have similarly increased the output of meat, but have raised concerns about animal welfare and environmental damage through contributions to global warming, depletion of aquifers, deforestation, antibiotic resistance, and growth hormones in industrially produced meat. Genetically modified organisms are widely used, although they are banned in several countries.
The major agricultural products can be broadly grouped into foods, fibers, fuels, and raw materials (such as rubber). Classes of foods include cereals (grains), vegetables, fruits, oils, meat, milk, fungi and eggs. Over one-third of the world's workers are employed in agriculture, second only to the service sector, although the number of agricultural workers in developed countries has decreased significantly over the past several centuries.
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Matching Agriculture Colleges
Blinn College
At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $8,280 average out-state tuition; $3,510 average in-state tuition |
Illinois State University
Four or more years; Public; $21,136 average out-state tuition; $10,932 average in-state tuition |
The University of Tennessee-Martin
Four or more years; Public; $14,418 average out-state tuition; $8,378 average in-state tuition |
Tarleton State University
Four or more years; Public; $14,208 average out-state tuition; $4,416 average in-state tuition |
Oregon State University
Four or more years; Public; $29,456 average out-state tuition; $10,065 average in-state tuition |
Ivy Tech Community College
At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $8,777 average out-state tuition; $4,487 average in-state tuition |
Cornell University
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $60,286 average out-state tuition; $60,286 average in-state tuition |
Scholarships for Agriculture Majors
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM ScholarshipU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
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award Up to $30,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is available to military veterans and their dependents who are pursuing studies in STEM fields. You must be a recipient of the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship to be eligible for this award, which acts as an extension to expiring benefits of those programs. View Scholarship Details |
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Vocational Scholarship ProgramUnitedag |
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award Up to $30,000 |
deadline December 31, 2024 |
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DescriptionThe Vocational Scholarship Program is open to employees affiliated with an active UnitedAg member company. You must be seeking agriculture-specific education and training at certified vocational schools, trade schools or other institutions, complete the online application and submit a one-page resume with portrait photo, 2 letters of... View Scholarship Details |
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Blosser Brothers (Lee and John) ScholarshipGreater Wayne County Foundation, Inc. |
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award $19,000 |
deadline March 15, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Blosser Brothers (Lee and John) Scholarship is available to graduating seniors at Smithville High School. You must be majoring in agriculture and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award. Preference is given to students with physical disabilities. There is no limitation on the field of study for students with disabilities. View Scholarship Details |
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McKnight Doctoral FellowshipFlorida Education Fund |
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award Up to $17,000 |
deadline January 15, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe McKnight Doctoral Fellowship is available to African - American and Hispanic students who are planning to pursue a Ph.D. in one of the disciplines in the arts and sciences, mathematics, business, engineering, health sciences, nursing, or the visual and performing arts. Fellowships must be used at a participating Florida institutions. ... View Scholarship Details |
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Diversity in Food and Natural Resources ScholarshipUniversity of Minnesota, Twin Cities |
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award Up to $15,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Diversity in Food and Natural Resources Scholarship is available to students entering the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. You must be enrolled in the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences. You must also demonstrate a contribution to diversity, high academic achievement, leadership and community involvement to be... View Scholarship Details |
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J. Albert Finkel and Irma Jane Finkel ScholarshipHeritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County |
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award Up to $20,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe J. Albert Finkel and Irma Jane Finkel Scholarship is available to students from Bartholomew County attending Purdue University. You must be enrolled in the School of Agriculture to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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Food and Nutritional Sciences Advisory Board ScholarshipTuskegee University - College of Agriculture, Environment, and Nutrition Sciences |
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award $10,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Food and Nutritional Sciences Advisory Board Scholarship is open to entering students at Tuskegee University College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Science. You must have an SAT score of 850 or higher and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to be considered for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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National Day of the Cowgirl ScholarshipDurango - Rocky Brands |
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award Up to $15,000 |
deadline December 31, 2024 |
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DescriptionThe National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship is open to female first-year college students who are pursuing a career within a segment of the western, agriculture, farm and ranch, equine, or western sports industries. You must have existing ties, experience, or affiliation with western, agriculture, farm and ranch, equine, or western sports... View Scholarship Details |
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Agricultural Advancement ScholarshipFarm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement |
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award $10,000 |
deadline January 03, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Agricultural Advancement Scholarship is available to high school seniors and college students who reside in MidAtlantic Farm Credit's territory. You must be planning to pursue a career in an agriculture - related field to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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David M. Gardner Memorial Scholarship - WCCCColorado Mesa University, School of Applied Technology |
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award $6,400 |
deadline September 01, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe David M. Gardner Memorial Scholarship is available to full - time students at Western Colorado Community College. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be a graduate of a Mesa County high school to qualify for this award. View Scholarship Details |
Agriculture Related Majors
- Pre-Veterinary Studies
- Animal Sciences
- Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant
- Agricultural Business and Management
- Equestrian/Equine Studies
- Food Science and Technology
- Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management
- Animal Health
- Animal Training
- Veterinary Anatomy
- Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
- Large Animal/Food Animal and Equine Surgery and Medicine
- Horticultural Science
- Agricultural Communication/Journalism
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Animal Breeding
- Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health