The College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences (CAFES) uses a Learn by Doing approach to prepare leaders in agriculture, food systems, natural resources and life sciences who are equipped to address the diverse needs of society. We are the nation’s largest master’s-level college of agriculture and have enjoyed close relationships with industry for more than 100 years. Our graduates are in high demand. Over the past decade, nine of 10 Cal Poly students report working full-time or attending graduate school within one year of graduation, and nearly all of those employed are in fields relating to their degrees. Each year, CAFES graduates more than 800 men and women who are eminently prepared to be the next generation of industry leaders.
Learn by Doing
Learn by Doing is the bedrock of education at the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences. Students — from day one — are required to hone their skills through practice. As they do, they develop the leadership, social and community service skills that will make them successful in their careers and their communities. Labs, product development, senior projects, industry internships, competitive teams and applied research give our graduates the edge to succeed and lead in the real world.
Degrees Offered
16 undergraduate
— Agricultural Business; Agricultural Communication; Agricultural & Environmental Plant Sciences; Agricultural Science; Agricultural Systems Management; Animal Science; BioResource & Agricultural Engineering; Dairy Science; Earth Sciences; Environmental Management & Protection; Food Science; Forestry & Natural Resources; Nutrition; Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration; Soil Science; Wine & Viticulture
15 graduate
— Master of Agricultural Education; Master of Professional Studies in Dairy Products Technology; Master of Science in Agribusiness; Master of Science in Forestry Sciences; Master of Science in Agriculture with 10 specializations available (Agricultural Engineering Technology; Animal Science; Crop Science; Dairy Products Technology; Environmental Horticultural Science; Food Science & Nutrition; Irrigation; Plant Protection Science; Recreation, Parks & Tourism Management; Soil Science); as well as a Master of Business Administration with an Agribusiness specialization (through the Orfalea College of Business) and a Master of Science in Water Engineering (through the College of Engineering)
By the Numbers
- Approximately 4,300 students from both agricultural and urban backgrounds
- 16 unique majors and numerous minors and master’s programs
- More than 40 competitive student clubs and societies
- Over $1 million in scholarships awarded annually
- 10,000 acres for hands-on learning and applied research on campus and at our Swanton Pacific Ranch living laboratory