As the Land-Grant College of the State, the University of Arkansas has the responsibility for leadership in agriculture and human environmental sciences. The Division of Agriculture includes the programs of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.
Through the Morrill Act of 1862, a grant of land was made to each state for the establishment of a college "where the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and classical studies and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanical arts in such manner as the legislatures of the state may prescribe in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions of life." The passage of the Hatch Act in 1887, and subsequent legislation, made possible the Agriculture Experiment Station. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914, plus subsequent legislation, made possible the Cooperative Extension Service in Agriculture and Human Environmental Sciences.
The Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas enjoys an enviable prestige among the colleges of agriculture and human environmental sciences in the nation. The agricultural sciences have been taught at the University of Arkansas almost from the beginning of the institution in 1872, and the first degrees in the agricultural sciences were conferred by the University almost 90 years ago.
The Ben J. Altheimer Chair for Cotton Production Research was established May 15, 1951. The program of the Division of Agriculture was further recognized and strengthened in 1972 by the permanent endowment of two chairs in Agriculture, the Ben J. Altheimer Chair for Soybean Research and the L.C. Carter Chair in Market Policy. Both chairs had been supported prior to 1972 from annual gifts. In 1974 a third chair, the Elms Farming-Richard S. Barnett, Jr., Chair of Weed Science was endowed. In 1988 the Arkansas Poultry Federation created the Endowed Chair for Poultry Science. This chair brings additional opportunity for excellence to the Division. The chairs are occupied by outstanding scientists whose research and teaching enhance the program of the College. The program was greatly enhanced during 1980 by the completion and dedication of the Altheimer Laboratory located on the Agricultural Experiment Station.
The Vice President for Agriculture heads the Division of Agriculture. The Director of the Cooperative Extension Service reports directly to the Vice President of Agriculture. The Dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station positions were combined on July 1, 1987, into one position. The Dean and Director reports directly to the Vice President for Agriculture for the agricultural research programs and to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the instructional programs.
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