Land Grant Colleges Act of 1862
each state was allotted acreage and funding to establish land grant universities with the goal of furthering agricultural research to benefit farmers and agriculture within each state's unique ecosystems then later openly sharing research with our citizens through Extension programs training citizen scientists so they can help remediate environmental problems in their county
Land Grant Colleges (Act of 1862)
October 1, 2022
Penn State is a Land Grant College
Land Grant Colleges are the authority for resolving environmental problems in the region they are located. As the go to resource for agricultural, invasive insect or plants, and tree or plant disease, these colleges have extensive knowledge developed over years of hard work stewarding the environment, developing hybridized cultivars to gain disease resistance and better weather climate change, or solving problems through research and development of best practices for natural resource sustainability and the remediation of the numerous problematic issues in and around agricultural and environmental sciences.
Under Lincoln's Presidency, Senator Morrill of Vermont proposed a bill which created a structure of Agriculture based colleges. Each state has at least one of these colleges. He first presented the idea while serving in the House of Representatives. The premise was to set aside federal lands to create colleges to “benefit the agricultural and mechanical arts.”
The Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862
The Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862 are United States statues that used federal land to create these truly beneficial agricultural resources that have helped everything from food production yields to the survival of whole habitats helping preserve the land from drought, disease, or lack of sustainable practices usually encouraged through regulation.
Learn More About Master Watershed Steward Programs in your State
More about the establishment of Land Grant Colleges (United States Senate)
Note:
Below are links to each Land Grant College. Some have additional links to their "Extension" Resources to highlight that can help Steward your communities' Natural Habitats. Land Grant Colleges have a mission, to “benefit the agricultural and mechanical arts.” in some colleges this mission allow Extension Classes and resources that help anything from access to Asking an Expert for help with an ecological problem to identifying invasive insects and plants with advice on how to manage that problem. These resources are mutually beneficial. When a land owner, nonprofit, or concerned citizen expresses an interest in helping solve environmental problems this community will support them sharing their knowledge and resources inevitably helping our Natural Habitats sustain to constant barrage of invasive plants and insects, plant diseases, and pollution. When we work together to solve problems in our communities it provides others with a sense of competency in managing our Forests, Creeks, Streams, Rivers, lakes, helping our wildlife and Aquatic life not only survive but thrive. When you see a problem in your local Forest or Waterway or on you private property reach out to your local College Extension community, do not hesitate, they will be happy to help you with your problem.
Hatch Act 1887
The hatch act enabled the land grant college structure to also be used as technological hubs. Texas A&M stood for Agricultural and Mechanical. The M was enabled by the Hatch Act. It also establish a network of agricultural experiment stations.
Smith-Lever Act of 1914 - adds public outreach to land grant structure
The Smith Lever act prompted land grant colleges to provide the research based science developed by the institutions to the public. Through stewardship educational programs the land grant college structure teaches citizen scientists through their county based programs usually developed around a particular problems in your county/community.
When you hear the term "Extension", that is the part of the land grant college prompted by the Smith Lever Act.
Stewardship Programs
Land Grant Colleges by state with each state's free public services they provide
Land Grant Colleges
ALABAMA
Alabama A&M University, Normal
ALASKA
University of Alaska, Fairbanks
AMERICAN SAMOA
American Samoa Community College, Pago Pago
ARIZONA
Tohono O'odham Community College, Sells
ARKANSAS
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff
CALIFORNIA
D-Q University, (Davis vicinity)
University of California System-Oakland as Headquarters, Oakland
COLORADO
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
CONNECTICUT
University of Connecticut, Storrs
DELAWARE
Delaware State University, Dover
University of Delaware, Newark
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
University of the District of Columbia, Washington
FLORIDA
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee
University of Florida, Gainesville
GEORGIA
Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley
GUAM
HAWAII
University of Hawaii, Honolulu
IDAHO
ILLINOIS
University of Illinois, Urbana
INDIANA
Purdue University, West Lafayette
IOWA
KANSAS
Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence
Kansas State University, Manhattan
KENTUCKY
Kentucky State University, Frankfort
University of Kentucky, Lexington
University of Kentucky - Forestry and Natural Resources Extension - Youtube Video Channel
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment -Youtube Video Channel
LOUISIANA
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge
MAINE
MARYLAND
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne
MASSACHUSETTS
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MICHIGAN
Bay Mills Community College, Brimely
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, Baraga
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, Mount Pleasant
MICRONESIA
College of Micronesia, Kolonia, Pohnpei
MINNESOTA
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College, Cloquet
Leech Lake Tribal College, Cass Lake
Red Lake Nation College, Minnesota
Red Lake Nation College, Red Lake
Mission:
To provide excellent higher education that is grounded in the Ojibwe language and culture of the Red Lake Nation.
University of Minnesota, St. Paul
White Earth Tribal and Community College, Mahnomen
MISSISSIPPI
Alcorn State University, Lorman
Mississippi State University, Starkville
MISSOURI
Lincoln University, Jefferson City
University of Missouri, Columbia
MONTANA
Blackfeet Community College, Browning
Chief Dull Knife College, Lame Deer
Aaniiih Nakoda College, Harlem
Fort Peck Community College, Poplar
Little Big Horn College, Crow Agency
Montana State University, Bozeman
Salish Kootenai College, Pablo
Stone Child College, Box Elder
NEBRASKA
Little Priest Tribal College, Winnebago
Nebraska Indian Community College, Winnebago
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
NEVADA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
University of New Hampshire, Durham
NEW JERSEY
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
NEW MEXICO
Navajo Technical University, Crownpoint
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, Santa Fe
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Albuquerque
NEW YORK
Cornell University, Ithaca - The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell
Cornell Cooperative Extension - Master Forest Owner Program A network of over 140 experienced master forest owner volunteers provides private woodland owners of New York State with the information and encouragement necessary to manage their forest holdings wisely.
Cornell Cooperative Extension - NY Sea Grant NYSG is a cooperative program of the State University of New York (SUNY) and Cornell University which promotes the informed stewardship of coastal resources through integrated research, education, and extension services
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro
North Carolina State University, Raleigh
NORTH DAKOTA
Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Fort Totten
Nueta Hidatsu Sahnish College, New Town
North Dakota State University, Fargo
Sitting Bull College, Fort Yates
Turtle Mountain Community College, Belcourt
United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck
NORTHERN MARIANAS
Northern Marianas College, Saipan
OHIO
Central State University, Wilberforce
Ohio State University, Columbus
OKLAHOMA
College of the Muscogee Nation, Okmulgee
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
OREGON
Oregon State University, Corvallis
Ask a Ecological question to an Oregon State Extension Expert
Heat wave in the garden: How to identify and prevent heat stress in plants
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania State University, University Park
How Penn State Extension is satisfying its land grant mission
Penn State Extension Services
Invasive Plant Identification and Control Guide (72 page Book - $10)
Plant Disease Identification and Control (Free Online Resource)
Penn State Extension - Help with Insects, Pests, and Diseases
Penn State Extension - Invasive Plants and Insect Control (Free Online Resource)
Plant Identification and Usage: Native Plants (Online Course - Cost $39)
Plant Identification and Usage: Coniferous Trees (Online Course - Cost $39)
PUERTO RICO
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
RHODE ISLAND
University of Rhode Island, Kingston
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina State University, Orangeburg
SOUTH DAKOTA
Sinte Gleska University, Rosebud
Sisseton Wahpeton Community College, Sisseton
South Dakota State University, Brookings
TENNESSEE
Tennessee State University, Nashville
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
TEXAS
Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View
Prairie View A&M University - Extension Agro and Environmental Fact Sheets
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - (for Agriculture)
Texas A&M University, College Station
Texas A&M Extension - (Home Landscaping Resources) - landscaping education, workshops and instruction ranging from what trees, plants and grasses work best in various landscape designs to front and backyard landscaping ideas. From native landscaping to xeriscapes and reduction of water usage, Texans have a range of resources designed for all yards across the state.
Texas A&M Extension - (Educational Materials) - Science-based solutions - Our agency was created to extend the latest research and expert knowledge with the people of Texas. Here you can find this information packaged in materials that are easy to use and easy to download.
Native Grassland Monitoring and Management (Free PDF w/ contact form submission)
Watershed Monitoring Benefits Private Lands and Public Water Supplies (Free PDF w/ contact form submission)
Texas A&M Extension - (Educational Materials) - AgriLife Learn is the home for educational resources for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Grab quick information for solutions you need now, or sign up for one our courses or certifications to change the trajectory of your future path. From gardening to goats, and childcare to lawn maintenance, we’ve got you covered with the latest research-backed information from Texas A&M AgriLife.
UTAH
Utah State University - Extension - Agriculture & Natural Resources
Utah Pests - Utah Pests helps to solve plant pest issues that concern Utah Citizens every day.
Utah Tree Browser - USU’s Tree Browser is a database with photos and text descriptions of 245 tree species found in Utah and the Intermountain West. Browse through the complete tree list or narrow your search by selecting from 21 characteristics.
Utah Tree and Shrub Care (Planting, Arborist, Maintenance, Diseases & Pest, Pruning)
Utah Drought information - Utah is in a drought. Look here for some ways you can do your part to conserve water.
Utah Yard and Garden - USU Extension provides tips and advice for gardeners of all skill levels. Specific information on how to grow, specific Fruit trees or vegetables and soil care
VERMONT
University of Vermont, Burlington
UVM Vermont Community Forestry Resources
VIRGIN ISLANDS
University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix
VIRGINIA
Virginia Cooperative Extension - Publications Extensive Resource
Virginia State University, Petersburg
WASHINGTON
Washington State University, Pullman
(PestSense) - Curiosity/Beneficial , Food and Fabric , Houseplant Pests , Nuisance , Stinging and Biting , Destroying Pests
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia State University, Institute
West Virginia University, Morgantown
WISCONSIN
College of Menominee Nation, Keshena
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Hayward
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Be a Stream Monitor - Join hundreds of Water Action Volunteers around Wisconsin who monitor the health of their local streams.