land-grant institution

A land-grant institution is a type of college or university in the United States that was established to promote education in agriculture, science, and engineering, among other disciplines. These schools were created under a series of acts passed by Congress starting in 1862, which provided federal land to states. The states could sell this land to fund the establishment of institutions that would serve the public, particularly in helping to educate farmers and promote practical skills. Today, many land-grant universities are major research institutions that also focus on community service and outreach.