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Discover CALS

See how our current work and research is bringing new thinking and new solutions to some of today's biggest challenges.

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About

Cornell CALS is a premier institution of scientific learning, tackling the complex challenges of our time through purpose-driven science.
In a press room, a man in a suit signs a bill while others stand behind him watching and clapping
Researcher advises on methane portions of NY's climate law
CALS professor Bob Howarth played a key role in NY's Climate Leadership and Communities Protection Act (CLCPA) signed into law by Gov. Cuomo.
Researcher advises on methane portions of NY's climate law
The silhouette of a man vaping in front of a blue background
Study takes on e-cigarette warning ‘paradox’
A team of CALS researchers is helping regulators identify the most effective health warnings to include in ads for electronic cigarettes.
Study takes on e-cigarette warning ‘paradox’
Barley in a field with two people in the distance
With new barley variety, Cornell leads the way for brewers
CALS researchers released a new variety of New York-adapted spring barley to meet industry needs created by a 2012 Farm Brewery Bill.
With new barley variety, Cornell leads the way for brewers
A group of fruit flies lie in dark light only illuminated by a newly placed genes
Improved CRISPR gene drive solves problems of old tech
New gene drives uses genetic engineering to create a desired mutation that spreads throughout a population in fewer than 10 generations.
Improved CRISPR gene drive solves problems of old tech

You want to change the world. So do we.

We are a community with an uncommon sense of a common goal: to leave the world better than we found it. Ambitious? Sure. But Cornell CALS has been changing the world for over a century and will be doing so for a century more.

Founded in agriculture and focused on life, we are pioneers who have shaped contemporary science and eagerly embraced international opportunity, while always serving the people in the state of New York.

The Wall Street Journal/Times of Higher Education 2020 College Rankings ranked CALS #1 in agriculture, agriculture operations and related sciences.

Our Purpose

This is the charge that motivates us: CALS tackles the challenges of our times through purpose-driven science that advances understanding and improves life.

CALS at a glance

16

Departments

7 departments shared with other Cornell colleges and schools

2

Schools

The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management
The School of Integrative Plant Science

$242M

Total research expenditures

FY 2020

3,590

Undergraduate students

As of Fall 2020

1,020

Graduate students

As of Fall 2020

350

Faculty

As of Spring 2021

We seek answers in order to find the next questions.

Our Mission

These are our objectives and how we accomplish them: As a premier institution of scientific learning, we connect the life, agricultural, environmental and social sciences to provide world-class education, spark unexpected discoveries and inspire pioneering solutions.

What we do

We are actively pursuing our mission to serve the public through our education, research and extension/outreach efforts. 

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people discussing plants

Teaching passion-driven minds

Learn about a CALS education
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Purpose-driven science in action

Explore our research
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Sharing knowledge with the community

Learn about outreach & extension

Learn more about CALS

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Latest news, discoveries, and breakthroughs

Explore the work we’re doing today and discover how it’s reshaping tomorrow.

Anthocerotibacter panamensis under a microscope

News

Species discovery sheds light on early photosynthesis
Led by Boyce Thompson Institute faculty member Fay-Wei Li, researchers have discovered a new species of cyanobacteria, Anthocerotibacter panamensis, which could help illuminate how photosynthesis evolved to create the world as we know it. The...
  • Boyce Thompson Institute
  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Plant Biology Section
Rows of grape vines in a field at Cornell AgriTech Gates farm.

News

Cheap, user-friendly smartphone app predicts vineyard yields
The new method allows a grower to use a smartphone to video grape vines while driving a tractor or walking through the vineyard at night. Growers may then upload their video to a server to process the data. The system relies on computer-vision...
  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Cornell Initiative for Digital Agriculture
  • School of Integrative Plant Science
A man wearing a helmet and a face mask reaching across a big pile of potatoes

News

Startup’s sustainable tech takes food farther
But the high cost of cold storage had become “a pinching point.” To ship $2,000 worth of potatoes to Dubai in a refrigerated container in the summer, he’d pay $3,000 – losing $1,000 in profits before the product even got to the buyer. But to...
  • Food Science
  • Food
  • Vegetables
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