About Us
Welcome
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) is an educationally rich environment bursting with life and learning, and where students are invited and encouraged to be full partners in their education. We will strongly encourage our students to question, discuss, and develop the expertise necessary to formulate solutions to real world challenges in whatever career you pursue.
Mission and Vision
Mission: Our college's mission is synonymous with the mission of land-grant universities — the generation, translation and dissemination of knowledge in the public interest. Agriculture and natural resource issues affect everyone, every day. We play an exemplary role in fulfilling the land-grant mission of the University of Delaware.
Vision: We envision a college that contributes exceptionally to the overall mission of land-grant colleges of agriculture and related sciences in areas of unique strength that define and guide us, are relevant to our stakeholders, and have impact on Delaware, the region and the world.
2013 Master Plan Document >
531 South College Avenue
Townsend Hall
Newark, Delaware 19716-2103
(302) 831-2501
Staff Directory >
Faculty and staff resources are housed on a Google Site.
CANR is committed to promoting an inclusive and supportive environment for all faculty, staff and students.
Learn more about our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives >>
Message from our dean
There has never been a more immediate and pressing need for agriculture and natural resource professionals than now. The current generation of professionals entering the workplace must find ways to double food production without increasing the amount of land and water devoted to agriculture — truly one of the world’s grand challenges. The students who enroll in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources want more than just jobs; they want careers that matter and provide opportunities to make a difference in the world. I can’t think of nobler professions than those dedicated to preserving our earth for future generations.
The University of Delaware is strongly committed to undergraduate education, and in our college, each student is welcomed and treated as an individual. With less than ten percent of the student population of UD, our faculty-to-student ratio is more favorable than most other colleges. And with our 350-acre classroom just steps from main campus, we can provide hands on experience with animals, crop plants, wetlands, forest, greenhouses and more for every student, in every major. If you’re looking for a small college feel but still want to reap the benefits of attending a world class research university, thousands of successful alumni around the world are evidence of the academic excellence rooted at the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.
– Mark Rieger, Dean
Congrats to our 2020 award winning faculty and staff!
<< View a video of their accomplishments
CANR Excellence in Research Award
(Faculty)
The award recognizes individuals that are involved in research that involves the mentoring of graduate students, post-docs, undergraduates, and/or junior faculty
Excellence in research award winners
Year |
Recipient |
Department |
2020 |
Dr. Kali Kniel |
ANFS |
2018 |
Dr. Yan Jin |
PLSC |
CANR Teaching & Advising Award
(Faculty)
The award recognizes CANR faculty involved in teaching, mentoring and advising students.
Teaching and advising award winners
| Year | Recipient | Department |
| 2019 | Dr. Thomas Evans | PLSC |
| 2017 | Dr. Joshua Duke | APEC |
| 2015 | Dr. Kali Kniel | ANFS |
CANR Excellence in Service
(Support Staff)
Recognizes superior work ethic, noteworthy performance, outstanding and meritorious service, and positive impact on the goals of the department and CANR.
Excellence in service award winners (support staff)
Year |
Recipient |
Department |
2019 |
Susan Biddle |
PLSC |
2017 |
Michele Walfred |
CARVEL |
2015 |
Sharon Webb |
CARVEL |
CANR Excellence in Service
(Research Support Staff)
Recognizes superior work ethic, noteworthy performance, outstanding and meritorious service, and positive impact on the goals of the department and CANR.
Excellence in service award winners (research staff)
Year |
Recipient |
Department |
2020 |
Tecle Weldekidan |
PLSC |
2018 |
Maddi Valinski |
APEC |
2016 |
Richard Morris |
ANFS Newark Farm |
CANR Excellence in Extension
The CANR Excellence in Extension Award is based on the ECOP National Excellence in Extension Award. The CANR Excellence in Extension Award is presented in even years to an individual who has strived throughout his/her career to achieve the benchmarks reflective of excellence in Extension educational programming.
Benton Graduate Student Award
The award is presented annually to two graduate students (one PhD and one MS) who have excelled in research and have an outstanding record of academic accomplishments and service to their profession are eligible for nomination.
Excellence in service award winners (research staff)
Year |
Recipient |
Department |
2020 |
Sergio Cabrera-Cruz Shania Craighead |
Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.) Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D) |
2019 |
Alyssa Lutgen Tyler D. Sowers |
Water Science & Policy Program (M.S.) Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.) |
2018 |
Hannah L. Clipp Desiree L. Narango |
Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.) Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.) |
2017 |
Adrienne Shearer Grace Savoy-Burke |
Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D) Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.) |
2016 |
Amanda Roberson Solny Adalsteinsson |
Plant and Soil Sciences (M.S.) Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.) |
2015 |
Sarah Markland Melissa Savin |
Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D.) Agriculture & Natural Resources (M.S.) |
2014 |
Rebecca Kern Allison Rogers |
Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.) Animal and Food Sciences (M.S.) |
2013 |
Jacquelyn Marchese Michelle Windle |
Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.) Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D.) |
2012 |
Rachael Vaicunas Kirsten Hirneisen Jixian Zhai |
Bioresources Engineering (M.S.) Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D.) Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.) |
2011 |
Sudarshan Dutta Jacob Fooks |
Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.) Food and Resource Economics (M.S.) |
2010 |
Zachary Ladin Laura Nemec Meredith Biedrzycki |
Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.) Animal and Food Sciences (M.S.) Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.) |
2009 |
Ellen Lake |
Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.) |
2008 |
Hudaa Neetoo Bridget Collins |
Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D.) Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.) |
2007 |
Kristian Paul Anthony Gonzon |
Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.) Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.) |