WELCOME FROM THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE

Welcome to the ASU College of Agriculture and Technology!  ASU was founded in 1909 as one of only four regional schools of agricultural instruction in Arkansas, and our institution has since evolved into a comprehensive university. Our college also has evolved over the years, and while agricultural and technical education is still our primary mission, we also have extensive public outreach programming and significant research activities.  We offer both undergraduate and master’s degrees within the college, and we participate in doctoral education through the interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences and Molecular Biosciences programs. Explore our educational majors, our outreach programs, our research activities, our ASU Farm and Equine Complex, our cooperative programs with the state’s land-grant institution, and other resources linked to our web pages.

Some visitors find it unusual to find both Agriculture and Technology in the same college.  Technology programs are typically found in engineering colleges. But to us, agriculture and technology are a logical fit. Agriculture is the industry of food manufacturing, from farm to plate, and it is the cornerstone of the economy in Arkansas and across the United States. Technology is the foundation of all industrial and manufacturing operations in the modern world. Both disciplines are applied sciences, used for active inquiry and real problem-solving under dynamic conditions. Both disciplines are intimately linked with economic sustainability. New technologies are having dramatic impacts on the industry of agriculture:  databases have revolutionized the precision of agribusiness decision making, and are enabling quantum leaps in genetic discoveries; biotechnology has revolutionized crop genetics, and permitted the use of environmentally friendly management practices such as conservation tillage; spatial technology has revolutionized the precision and uniformity with which we can produce food; robotics are revolutionizing greenhouse/horticultural production systems; nanotechnology is just around the corner, impacting nutrient and chemical control precision delivery systems in agriculture; ethanol technologies are being developed and will enable a significant renewable/sustainable energy industry. We’re exploring all this and more in the College of Agriculture and Technology.

There is a broad range of careers open to Agriculture or Technology graduates, many of which are not immediately associated with agriculture or manufacturing.  The agricultural and manufacturing sectors are global industries, and numerous opportunities in related fields have opened to our disciplines.  Over 96% of our college’s graduates are placed into jobs of their preferred career path.  The ASU College of Agriculture and Technology provides a well-rounded core curriculum to prepare students for their futures, with options for highly specialized training.  We offer a range of traditional lecture-style courses and hands-on experience in all fields.  

Discover your future with the ASU College of Agriculture and Technology!