The major prepares students for employment opportunities with state, federal and international government agencies, environmental interest groups, environmental consulting firms, and industry. The major also offers students the opportunity to prepare for graduate study in environmental economics or environmental policy studies programs.

The first college at the first land-grant institution, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to advancing knowledge and transforming lives in communities, agriculture, and natural resources. The college provides innovative leadership in science, technology, design, management, biofuels, the bioeconomy, and international involvement. Academic programs in the college build on strong foundations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The wide selection of academic programs and career pathways include food, nutrition, and their applications to health; community, family and youth development; agricultural production; technology, management, and design; food processing; biofuels, the bioeconomy, globalization, international development, and sustainability.

Students learn to manage resources, people, and technology to improve the use, conservation and renewal of natural and created environments; develop sustainable systems; manage green spaces; enhance community and economic development; and advance food safety and nutrition. Graduates are employed as scientists, leaders, educators, managers, and stewards of human and natural resources.

The diverse disciplines and expertise in the college encompass research in animal and plant biotechnology, control of invasive species, control of pathogens, protection of biodiversity, management of urban sprawl, environmental remediation, wildlife management, use of biosensors to detect foodborne pathogens, tourism, ergonomics and lean construction, and the sustainability of agricultural and natural resource systems. Knowledge derived from research is integrated into course work and extended to benefit the community, state, nation and world – epitomizing the excellence of the land-grant tradition.

Educational programs nurture a learning environment that educates and prepares students for graduate study and/or for leadership in local, state, national, and international arenas. Graduates of the college have the tools they need to undertake endeavors that ensure the sustainability of food, prosperity and leisure activities in a world environment that has finite resources. For those interested in short-term certificate programs, the Institute of Agricultural Technology offers a variety of technical programs that are less than two years in length.