Department Pages (ANR)
Berea College is one of few liberal arts colleges in the United States to have an academic department in agriculture and natural resources (ANR). The ANR Department’s curriculum provides all students with a sound foundation in ANR. It also provides flexible options to pursue training in particular areas of interest. The curriculum consists of:
- introductory courses that cover general concepts in depth
- interrelationships in ANR
- more specialized electives that allow students to pursue particular areas of interest. These areas include plant and soil sciences, animal science and natural resources management.
ANR curriculum ensures that graduates know and understand scientific facts and principles regarding:
- soils,
- plants,
- animals,
- economics, and
- ecology.
Students will:
- Know and understand scientific facts and principles pertaining to soils, plants, animals, economics, and ecology.
- Have the ability to apply those facts and principles to the management of agriculture and natural resources systems.
- Understand agriculture and natural resources within the broader societal contexts of culture, ecology, economics, politics, and history, as well as from different perspectives.
- Be capable of studying and analyzing agricultural and natural-resource production systems to address problems or questions using appropriate scientific methods of planning, data collection, quantitative analysis, and, presentation.
- Be able to locate, interpret, critically evaluate, synthesize, and present information through writing and speech.
- Be able to apply appropriate technology for managing agriculture and natural resources
- Examine and prepare for career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources, including graduate education.
ANR majors can gain unique practical experience working on the College’s educational farm. This includes:
- beef cattle
- hogs
- poultry
- aquaculture
- field crops
- horticulture
The work experience gained from the College Farm complements classroom learning. It also provides a real advantage to students through skill development and management training.
Graduates of the ANR Program enter a diverse array of career fields including:
- Livestock production
- Horticultural production
- Forestry
- Pest management and entomology
- Veterinary medicine
- Research and teaching
- Natural resources management
- Cooperative extension
Positions held by some of our recent graduates include:
- Landscape and plant nursery manager
- Farm manager
- Natural Resources Conservation Service agent
- Cooperative Extension agent
- 4-H agent
- Peace Corps volunteer
- Veterinarian
- Veterinary assistant
- Agricultural research technician
- Laboratory technician
- Counselor/educator
- Forester
- Soil scientist
- State equine inspector.
ANR graduates have also pursued their career goals in:
- Private business
- Sales
- Marketing
- Agritourism
- Graduate school programs at universities across the US.