The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho was founded in 1901 and works to advance the health and welfare of people, animals, and the environment. The college’s work is focused on research and education in agriculture, community, human and rural development, natural resources, nutrition and life sciences. This research deals with some of the world’s most important challenges regarding food and energy security. The college has six departments, one school, and nine extensional, experimental stations.

The Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station (IAES) was established under the Hatch Act in 1892 to conduct fundamental and applied research to solve critical problems within Idaho’s agriculture and natural resources. Passed in 1887, the Hatch Act was a supplement to the Morrill Act, passed in 1862. The Morrill Act was passed to establish the U.S. land-grant educational system and to promote education in agricultural fields. The IAES was opened by the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho to assure the governmental subsidy provided by the Hatch Act. The two goals of this experimental station were to create ”useful and practical information on subjects connected with Agriculture, and to promote scientific investigation and experiment respecting the principles and applications of agricultural science.”