Welcome to the School of Food & Agriculture

From the Director, Sue Erich, Professor of Plant and Soil Chemistry

The School of Food and Agriculture is a dynamic learning community and a state-wide resource.  Our School offers B.S. degrees in animal and veterinary sciences, environmental horticulture, food science and human nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.  We also offer, and participate in, a range of graduate programs at the certificate, M.S. and Ph.D. levels.

Our faculty work locally, nationally, and world-wide from Maine to Europe to South America to Asia.  Our students come from our state and from across the globe. Our research and academic programs focus on the sustainable production of plants and animals, on nutritious diets that promote human health and well-being, and on safety and production issues important to food and agriculturally-related businesses.

The School of Food and Agriculture educates the next generation of food and agriculture professionals and addresses stakeholder needs through relevant research and outreach.  Our students learn by conducting research with faculty mentors.  Undergraduate student Olivia Conrad won the first place award in the 2017 Maine Sustainability & Water Conference Undergraduate Poster Competition for her research on food waste. Graduate student Sonja Birthisel conducts weed management research to find environmentally safe practices producing maximum benefit to Maine farmers.  Graduate student Zakkary Castonguay, won a graduate student presentation award at 2017 UMaine Student Symposium for his presentation “Phytonutrient Assessment of Locally Grown Cold Hardy Plum Cultivars”.  Undergraduate student Grace Chavis received an Edith Patch Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award in 2017 for her capstone research project on a parasite of moose.  Graduate Dietetic Intern students put their education to work helping patients at health care facilities across Maine.

Reflecting the land grant mission, our programs support Maine’s agricultural community and strengthen Maine’s economy, while promoting human, animal and plant health, and ecosystem sustainability. It is an exciting time to be involved in food and agriculture issues!  Explore our website and visit our campus.  You will meet friendly, approachable, and interesting faculty and staff eager to answer your questions and get to know you.