College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM)

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Agriculture studentsThe College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management is part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. It is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, the largest island in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Situated in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii Island is about 4000 kilometers (2500 miles) from the mainland U.S.A. Hilo, which has a major harbour and an international airport, is home to about 45,000 people and is located about 320 kilometers (200 miles) from Honolulu, the capital of the State of Hawai`i. The island economy is centered mainly on agriculture and tourism.

The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM) opened its doors in the fall of 1975 with the main objective to prepare students for a broad and full understanding of basic factors involved in production, management, processing, distribution, marketing, sales, and services in the field of agricultural sciences.

To achieve this goal, CAFNRM offers the Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in seven areas of specialization: Agribusiness; Agroecology and Environmental Quality; Animal Science (which includes a production option and a pre-veterinary option); Aquaculture; Crop Protection; General Agriculture; and Tropical Horticulture. To provide a well-balanced education, a good portion of a typical curriculum consists of College of Arts and Sciences courses as well as CAFNRM courses.

CAFNRM also offers an academic subject certificate for baccalaureate degree seeking students and non-degree seeking students: Plant Tissue Culture Certificate.

In order to prepare students for immediate careers in agriculture, as well as further graduate study, the program blends comprehensive classroom instruction with practical, technology-based education through the use of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Agricultural Farm Laboratory. On 110 acres in Panaʻewa, five miles south of the main campus, students can experience putting theory into practice with hands-on learning in various enterprises such as anthuriums, ornamental foliage, hydroponics, floriculture plants, orchids, forestry, vegetables, sustainable agriculture, livestock production, equine science, beekeeping, tropical fruit, and aquaculture. In addition, Hilo’s location in the center of a large farming community offers opportunities for field trips to diversified agriculture and aquaculture enterprises.

On campus, CAFRNRM offers excellent facilities for students in agricultural science. The agriculture building provides classroom and laboratories for courses in horticulture, animal science, entomology, plant pathology, tissue culture, soil science, agronomy, aquaculture, crop production, and agribusiness. Students can also utilize the laboratories and greenhouses on campus for special projects in directed research courses. A well-equipped microcomputer laboratory is also available for student usage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects strong employment opportunities for college graduates in the food, agricultural, and natural resources system in the United States. The report with employment projections for 2005-2010, based on a national study, is available at the following web site:
http://faeis.usda.gov/supplydemand/2005-2010/.
This data is useful for college students interested in pursuing careers in agriculture and natural resources.

Contact the College of Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resource Management

For general information about UH Hilo, financial aid, student housing, or how to become a student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, visit UH Hilo's Web Site: www.uhh.hawaii.edu or further information or arrange for a tour of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, please contact:

  • Dr. William Mokahi Steiner
    Dean of CAFNRM
    Phone: (808) 974-7393
    Fax: (808) 974-7674
    e-mail: steiner@hawaii.edu
  • CAFNRM Office
    Phone: (808) 974-7393
    Fax: (808) 974-7674