The University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at UNL was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1973 through the enactment of LB149. This legislation culminated more than ten years of discussion by state leaders, University officials and agriculture interests in Nebraska who were concerned that agriculture was not being given proper financial support, administrative access and prominence within the University—especially considering the unquestioned importance and contributions of agriculture and natural resources to the state’s economy and success.
IANR is composed of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), the Agricultural Research Division (ARD), Nebraska Extension and the ARD and Extension components of three departments in the College of Education and Human Sciences. IANR innovation in research, teaching, and extension education places Nebraska on the leading edge of food production, environmental stewardship, human nutrition, business development, and youth engagement.
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) prepares students for careers in everything from animals to plants, soil to climate, golf to business, mechanization to leadership, and food to forensic science. Students are prepared for successful careers and a lifetime of informed decisions through the development of food, fuel, water, and landscape systems as models for formal and informal science education.
Agricultural Research Division (ARD) is the only public entity in Nebraska charged with conducting agricultural research vital to Nebraska where agriculture is the leading industry. Many ARD scientists, who currently are working on approximately 300 research projects throughout Nebraska, also hold teaching or extension appointments. That means exciting new discoveries move quickly from the field or laboratory into the classroom and across Nebraska.
Nebraska Extension delivers research-based knowledge Nebraskans can immediately use in their lives, businesses, families and communities. Extension’s key focus areas are animal agriculture, crops for the future, children, youth and families, entrepreneurship, food, nutrition and health, water and environment. Approximately 144,000 Nebraska youth are involved in extension’s 4-H program.