Skip to Content
Smiling students gathered around a project.

School of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Directory Information

Contact Us

Give to School of Agriculture & Natural Resources

The School of Agriculture and Natural Resources leads the South in advancing the agriculture field through hands-on experience and rigorous academic preparation. We offer seven baccalaureate programs with small class sizes, high-quality dedicated faculty, and many opportunities for hands-on learning. We pride ourselves in complementing our students’ excellent educational experience with networking and professional development opportunities. Our graduates are some of the most in-demand throughout the country and represent ABAC in every state across numerous concentrations.

Message from the Dean

The mission for the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SANR) states, in part, that the School intends to provide industry-relevant experiences through engaged teaching and mentorship to prepare exceptional graduates for the agriculture and natural resource industries. In pursuit of that mission, the School values experiential inquiry, differentiation of thought, and programs that are responsive to the needs of students and our stakeholders, Georgia, and the southeast.

With seven majors and 14 specialized tracks, SANR stands as a regional leader in Agricultural Education and Communication, Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife sciences. Whether your aspiration is to enter industry immediately after earning your degree or to pursue graduate or professional studies, our programs are designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to be the best there is!

Agriculture is the integrated science, and at SANR our laboratory goes beyond the classroom. Students engage with cutting-edge technologies and authentic problem-solving across Georgia and the nation. Through hands-on learning, internships, mentored research, and project-based experiences, our students gain firsthand exposure to the latest advancements in the field. Opportunities such as study abroad, study away, and participation in professional student organizations further enhance their understanding of our global agricultural industry.

We take pride in the applied nature of our majors. Whether that be studying turf and utilizing our 9-hole golf course at Forest Lakes, conducting a controlled burn at the John W. and Margaret Jones Landale Forest, or animal husbandry at our beef units, our students develop practical, real-world skills in living laboratories. Graduates leave SANR work-ready, equipped with the problem-solving abilities necessary to drive the future of the industry.

Our alumni and stakeholders play a fundamental role in keeping SANR connected and industry- informed. Through strong partnerships and a faculty dedicated to remaining at the forefront of agricultural advancements, we maintain lasting relationships with our graduates long after their time on campus. Employers seek SANR graduates for their exceptional work ethic, sound experiences, and industry knowledge. We hope to embody the essence of life-long learning and our door will always remain open to better address the industry we serve and the students we prepare.

If you are a prospective student, I invite you to visit and see how you can become part of the SANR community. If you are an alumnus, we encourage you to stay connected. If you are a leader in the industry, we welcome the opportunity to engage and collaborate with you. Together, we will continue to be a national leader in preparing highly skilled graduates to support one of the most noble callings—Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Be or become a proud Stallion!

andrew thoron

Dr. Andrew Thoron
Dean, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Departments

Students and Alumni

reanna brown

Jobs and Internships

As young professionals, students are encouraged to learn beyond the classroom and gain valuable experience to prepare them for life. Our internship program is integrally woven into each student's educational experience and training. The students are provided

with a wide variety of learning opportunities in a structured and professional environment while receiving course credit. A large number of internships end with students receiving a full-time employment offer upon graduation.

 The School of Agriculture and Natural Resources strives to provide our students with plenty of opportunities to prepare for their future careers. Career fairs, internships, and other networking opportunities are made available to enhance our students’ educational experience.

Featured Faculty

Our faculty in the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources are not just educators; they're industry leaders who bring knowledge to life. With engaging teaching, hands-on experiences, and strong industry partnerships, they prepare students for real-world success and beyond!
Dr. Vanessa Lane

Although doing well in courses is important, activities students do in addition to coursework is extremely important to being a successful professional in the field. I encourage students to become members of the ABAC Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society, a professional organization that volunteers in the local community, invites professional guest speakers from various agencies and organizations, conducts field trips, attends national professional conferences, and offers other educational opportunities with our partners, such as S130/S190 Wildland Firefighter training through The Orianne Society.

Dr. Vanessa Lane

Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management

Dr. Erin Porter

I teach courses focused on precision agriculture technologies, soil and water conservation, and irrigation management. This technical side of Agriculture usually requires math that students are afraid of! I like to make math FUN by showing my students how important it is to managing an agricultural system and how they already know much more math than they think! We spend much of our time in the classroom going over calculations and designs – then we go outside and actually DO IT and see how our numbers match up. Connecting calculations in the classroom to physical components in the field is what makes our program, and ABAC, so successful!

Dr. Erin Porter
Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering

Agreements with Graduate Programs

The School of Agriculture and Natural Resources prides itself on preparing students for success in the workforce by providing hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.  However, many careers will require additional education beyond ABAC. As a result, the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources has established graduate program agreements with other institutions to help our students in the next step of their education to help further their career.

  • Murray State University – Master of Science in Agriculture
  • University of Tennessee at Martin – Master of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • University of Tennessee – Master of Science in Agricultural Education, Leadership & Communications
  • Graduate Program Prior Learning Policies and Contract Form

More About SANR

The School of Agriculture and Natural Resources is proud to take our learning outside of the classroom. Click the buttons below to see more about our programming and partnerships.

abac logo

We would love to hear from you!

Call or visit us in Ag Sciences building on ABAC's Tifton Campus.

ABAC 8 | 2802 Moore Hwy. Tifton, GA 31793 

(229) 391-4790 Visit Us Agricultural Sciences - Google Maps