CALSNR history: UW CALSNR has helped Wyoming’s farmers and ranchers since 1891

The Morrill Act was passed in 1862, establishing a partnership between the federal government and states, creating a public higher education system in the U.S.

The act intended to provide practical education for a broad population and addressed the growing demand for agricultural and technical education.

Later in 1887, the Hatch Act was passed to support agricultural research programs at State Agricultural Experiment Stations in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Insular Areas.

Under the terms of these two acts, University of Wyoming (UW) welcomed students in 1887.

An essential part of UW’s mission was to highlight agricultural research, and in 1891 the College of Agriculture was established on the Laramie campus, along with the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Stations and the Laramie Research and Extension Center.

The first experiment farms, listed in the university catalog for 1891-92, were located in Laramie, Lander, Saratoga, Sheridan, Sundance and Wheatland.

College of Agriculture

The College of Agriculture believes in the power of education, innovation and community to shape a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow, cites the UW website.

According to records from the American Heritage Center at UW, agricultural activity occurred mainly at the experiment stations during the early years of the university since few students were enrolled in a formal college program.

“The college graduated its first student in 1899, its second in 1903 and its third in 1905,” reads the historical records. “Also, in 1905, the first Wyoming farmer’s institute was held in Cody.” 

Livestock research was encouraged when the university acquired the Wyoming Territorial Penitentiary building and grounds in 1907. 

The facility was used as a stock farm, and later the same year, domestic science courses were taught, notes the UW records.

As enrollment in the college program began to rise, new departments were organized and buildings were added or improved. 

Records state, “Agriculture and agronomy were separated from animal husbandry and veterinary science in 1912, and a new building – the Agricultural Hall – was completed in 1914.”

In 1923, the university took control of state farms which were previously separate from the experiment farms.

However in 1946-47, a bill was introduced to create an agricultural college separate from UW in Sheridan, but failed it.

A new addition to campus

“In 1949, the cornerstone was laid for a new College of Agriculture building, which was dedicated the following year, although full occupancy was not achieved until 1952,” the records state.

The building received a significant addition in 1981, which more than doubled the size of the building. 

Immediately behind the new addition was the annex, housing the sales room where one could purchase cheese, ice cream and other products produced by the UW dairy farm. 

The sales room closed in the 1970s and was demolished in 2013.

Continued success

According to UW records, around the early 1950s, the college claimed 300 students and 30 faculty, and by 1982 numbers had increased to 700 students and 120 faculty. A six-story addition had also been added to the building. 

Departments at the time included agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal science, biochemistry, home economics, microbiology and veterinary medicine, plant science and range management.

Departments of the college underwent frequent alterations as science improved and the needs of the state developed. 

The college became the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) in 2009, and the UW Cooperative Extension Service was renamed UW Extension in 2011. 

By 2018, college departments included agricultural and applied economics, agricultural communications, animal science, ecosystem science and management, family and consumer sciences, microbiology, molecular biology, plant sciences and veterinary sciences, with the Agricultural Experiment Station and UW Extension also housed under the administration of the college.

In 2022, UW incorporated the departments of botany, life sciences, zoology and physiology into CANR, creating the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR).

Today, CALSNR is a beacon of academic excellence in agricultural and natural resource education. 

Committed to providing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, the college prepares students to address real world challenges. 

With renowned faculty guiding cutting-edge research and hands-on experiences, graduates are equipped with the skills to contribute significantly to agriculture, life sciences and the preservation of natural resources.

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.