College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Alumni & Friends

Empowering Students, Transforming Communities

At Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, pursuing excellence in teaching, research and outreach has been our guiding principle for more than 170 years. Here, we focus on the fundamentals of life: producing the food needed to nourish a growing population, promoting human and animal health, protecting our ecosystems and developing the structures and systems needed to ensure a sustainable future.

From farm fields to forests, riverbanks to research stations, and everywhere in between, CANR Spartans are creating a far better world. But we can’t do it alone. CANR donors unlock new possibilities for our students, faculty and staff. With your support, we will turn our bold vision for the future into reality—enhancing our facilities, strengthening academic programs, bolstering student success and ensuring CANR remains at the forefront of research and discovery.

Learn more about the giving opportunities and many ways that you can contribute to the success of the college, MSU Extension or MSU AgBioResearch.

Give Now

UNCOMMON WILL, FAR BETTER WORLD

MSU is in the midst of its most ambitious comprehensive fundraising campaign to date. Over the next eight years, support generated from the Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign will drive groundbreaking discoveries, unlock transformational student opportunities and build world-class facilities that empower Spartans to lead in every field.

MSU CAMPAIGN GOAL: $4 BILLION

CANR CAMPAIGN GOAL: $300 MILLION

CANR CAMPAIGN PILLARS

• TALENT ACTIVATED: Transformational investments in our students
• SYNERGIES IMAGINED: Taking our research and community partnerships to new heights
• FUTURES BUILT: Aligning our infrastructure with our aspirations

TALENT ACTIVATED

As one of MSU’s largest academic units, CANR activates a dynamic talent pipeline shapes the future of Michigan, and beyond. Graduates from across all our academic units benefit from a wide range of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that not only prepare them to enter the workforce, but to lead it. Support from CANR donors, industry partners and stakeholders empower life-changing scholarships, fellowships and other resources that fuel student success.

“CANR has provided me not only with an outstanding education and practical,hands-on skills that will benefit me throughout my career, but also with a strong network of people who continue to invest in andsupport me along the way.” – Lynn Olthof, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Animal Science, CANR Alumni Association Scholarship Recipient

SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS

By expanding our capacity to offer full ride fellowships to graduate students, with a goal of providing funding for 50 students per year, CANR can compete with other major research universities who use scholarship and fellowship funding to recruit top students.

SYNERGIES IMAGINED

The global challenges we face today are too complex to be addressed by any single academic unit. They require bold new partnerships between academia, industry and communities. At CANR, we are building these bridges by working hand-in-hand with our partners, connecting research to real-world applications and aligning innovation with community needs.

CANR is home to MSU AgBioResearch, a network of over 300 researchers across seven colleges driving solutions to global challenges through a diverse, high-impact research portfolio. Rooted by our unparalleled legacy and powered by our people, no one is better positioned to lead in this moment.

Your support is accelerating discoveries addressing today’s most pressing challenges, including:

• Food safety, nutrition and food security
• Natural resource stewardship and water protection
• Climate-resilience and regenerative agriculture
• Sustainable energy solutions
• Invasive species and ecosystem health

SUPPORT HIGH-IMPACT RESEARCH

FUTURES BUILT

World-class work requires world-class spaces. With your support, CANR is transforming its facilities to create cutting-edge environments that empower students, faculty and community partners to solve today’s biggest challenges.

FEATURED CANR INFASTRUCTURE PROJECTS:

DAIRY CATTLE TEACHING AND RESEARCH CENTER

• $75M investment brings MSU’s dairy research in line with industry standards and cutting-edge technology.
• 165,000 sq. ft. barn will house 680 cows—tripling the previous herd size.
• Modernized classrooms, labs and offices enhance student instruction and collaboration.
• Sustainability-focused hub positions MSU as a global leader in dairy science and showcases Michigan’s $15.7B dairy industry.

MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU PAVILION

• In December 2024, CANR announced a landmark gift from Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies.
• MSU Pavilion renamed Farm Bureau Pavilion at MSU in recognition of the gift.
• Gift supports planned renovation and expansion to modernize the facility’s role in agricultural innovation, education and community engagement.

PACKAGING 2.0

• MSU’s top-ranked School of Packaging leads the industry in sustainable solutions and innovation.
• $37M expansion will double research space and faculty.
• Packaging 2.0 supports program growth, meets emerging industry needs and attracts top talent

SUPPORT NEXT-GENERATION FACILITIES