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Purdue University. College of Agriculture

 Organization

Historical Information

As a land-grant university, a central part of Purdue’s mission is providing students with an adequate agricultural education. Courses in agriculture originated with the first classes taught at the university in 1874, but it wasn’t until 1878 that the School of Agriculture was established. In 2004, the school was renamed to the College of Agriculture.

Since its inception, the purpose of the Purdue University College of Agriculture has been to teach the theoretical and practical elements necessary for careers in agriculture and horticulture. Purdue’s investments in student and faculty resources caused the College of Agriculture to grow in graduates and geographic extent throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. By 2023, usnews.com ranked Purdue’s College of Agriculture eighth in the nation, with approximately 2,750 undergraduates enrolled and 20 agricultural research facilities.

Citation:
Board of Trustees minutes, 1878 Oct. 21, BOTM18781021, Board of Trustees Minutes, Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries, 4. https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/bot/id/20191/rec/1
Citation:
Board of Trustees Minutes, 2004 Nov. 19, BOTM20041119SM, Board of Trustees Minutes, Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries, 25. https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/bot/id/31145/rec/1127
Citation:
“Research Facilities,” College of Agriculture, Purdue University, Accessed June 20, 2024. https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/facilities-and-research/research-facilities.html
Citation:
“Student Enrollment, Fall 2023,” Undergraduate Admissions, Purdue University, Accessed June 20, 2024. https://admissions.purdue.edu/academics/enrollment.php

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

John Cleland papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 393
Scope and Contents The John Cleland papers include materials on the Purdue University College of Agriculture and dairy making in Indiana, with a focus on the Purdue University Creamery. Materials include pre-publication manuscripts written by Cleland, Purdue Swiss-type cheese recipes, and artifacts related to the Purdue University Creamery, including: cheese and butter wrapper labels; a glass milk bottle and paper bottle caps; and a cottage cheese container.Also included are a can of Purdue Hybrid...
Dates: 1908 - 2017; Majority of material found within circa 1930s - 1960s

Collection of Agricultural publications

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 20
Scope and Contents This collection consists of agricultural publications collected by the Purdue University College of Agriculture. Most publications are either published by the College of Agriculture, or contributed to by College of Agriculture staff. The subjects of the publications are primarily on agricultural studies, practices, and history at Purdue, as well as in Indiana more generally. Types of materials present in the collection include booklets, reports, magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, and...
Dates: 1883 - 2017

College of Agriculture, Administration of the College of Agriculture records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 44
Scope and Contents

The College of Agriculture, Administration of the College of Agriculture, Records (1869-2009; 124.95 cubic feet) consists of administrative books, correspondence, financial records, faculty minutes, reports, and other materials relating to the administration of Purdue University’s School of Agriculture.

Dates: 1869-2009; Other: Date acquired: 03/08/2008

College of Agriculture, Agricultural Fraternities, Societies, and Associations records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 25
Scope and Contents The College of Agriculture, Agricultural Fraternities, Societies, and Associations records contain material from agricultural organizations associated with Purdue University’s College of Agriculture. A large portion of the collection consists of materials related to the Delta Chapter of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Other organizations whose material appear in the collection include but are not limited to the Purdue Agricultural Society, the State Poultry Association of Indiana, and the...
Dates: circa 1880s - 2000