Welcome to the School of Food & Agriculture

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

The School of Food and Agriculture, with about 35 faculty members, over 475 undergraduate students, and 50 graduate students, 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 and world-wide from Maine to Europe to South America to Asia.  Our students come from our state and from across the globe. The 2016 University of Maine valedictorian, Nicholas Fried, from Millerstown, Pennsylvania received a bachelor’s degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences.  Later this year he will enter an M.D./Ph.D. program at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Schools of Medicine and Graduate Studies in New Orleans.

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.  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.