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The recent opening of the Multspecies Animal Learning Complex (MALC) is a statement of confidence in Ohio's agricultural future. And a space where we will grow our next generation of leaders.
From the Dean: New growth on a firm foundation
As seasons change, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) continues to grow and evolve. Agriculture isn’t just a chapter in the history of Ohio State; it is the origin of our story. We are not a footnote to the university’s mission. We are the reason the mission exists. Society needed a place where knowledge could grow alongside crops, animals and communities.
That fundamental belief — that by improving food systems and natural resources, we improve people’s lives — remains our cornerstone. It is a legacy of impact we live every day in research, teaching and statewide outreach through Ohio State University Extension.
The recent opening of the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex (MALC) is a statement of confidence in Ohio’s agricultural future — and a space where we will grow our next generation of leaders. This growth is backed by a research enterprise that is as responsive as it is innovative.
Since 2019, our research expenditures have increased by more than 64%, combining capacity-funded work that meets Ohio’s immediate needs with investigator-initiated discoveries that resonate globally.
Through initiatives like “Honor Your Mentor,” we celebrate the giants upon whose shoulders we stand — the educators and leaders who have sustained this mission across generations. Whether your path to us began through Ohio 4-H youth development, Ohio State ATI at CFAES Wooster, a statewide Extension program or the Columbus campus, you are also part of this legacy.
Innovative facilities, expanded research and greater access to higher education ignite the potential for our future. We hope you’ll enjoy these stories from our college and feel inspired to share your own
Cathann Kress, PhD
Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean