Max C. Fleischmann College of Agriculture Records

The College of Agriculture and the Agricultural Experiment Station began in 1887, under the auspices of the Hatch Act. Although technically separate legal entities, they shared common interests in investigating the principles and application of agricultural science. Projects and research addressed irrigation, ranching, and farm development in Nevada counties. In 1914, the Nevada Cooperative Extension Service was established to reach out to rural areas and, through its agents and agricultural advisors, to develop ranch and home projects. In the 1950s, the programs were consolidated into a unified College of Agriculture. In 1954, the Max C. Fleischmann Foundation of Nevada provided financing for a new agriculture building. In recognition, the college was named the Max C. Fleischmann College of Agriculture. After the arrival of David Thawley as dean in 1998, the college changed its name to the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources (CABNR). The curriculum expanded to include biochemistry, pre-veterinary, and other classes that reflected the evolving needs of the student body. As of 2021, biochemistry is the third-largest major on campus, and the college is a national leader in its fields.