1890 Universities
Our Network
Our 19 Strong
Authorized by the Second Morrill Act of 1890, the 1890 land-grant universities form a network of nineteen historic institutions rooted in agriculture, innovation, and community service.
Together, these universities drive more than $5.1 billion in economic activity each year and support over 43,000 jobs in their regions.
With a strong tradition of hands-on learning, research, and outreach, the 1890s equip graduates for leadership in agriculture, science, technology, and beyond—resulting in a remarkable $1.2 trillion in collective lifetime earnings.
The work of the 1890s goes far beyond their campuses by shaping local economies, strengthening families, and advancing progress in communities both domestically and abroad.
Important Federal Land-Grant Legislation
1887 – Hatch Act
Summary
Authorized direct federal payments to states to establish agricultural experiment stations connected to land-grant universities. Funding was determined through a formula and generally required state matching funds.
Impact
Established the agricultural experiment-station system and increased organized agricultural research conducted through land-grant universities.
1890 – Second Morrill Act
Summary
Provided federal funding to land-grant colleges and prohibited states from receiving that funding if they discriminated by race in admissions, unless they established a separate land-grant institution for Black students. Unlike the 1862 act, it provided cash rather than land.
Impact
Expanded land-grant education to African Americans in segregated states and led to the establishment or designation of the historically Black 1890 land-grant institutions. It gave these institutions the same legal land-grant standing as institutions established under the 1862 act.
1914 – Smith-Lever Act
Summary
Established the Cooperative Extension Service to distribute research findings from agricultural experiment stations to farmers, industrial workers and communities. It provided continuing formula funding and required state matching funds.
Impact
Created the land-grant extension system at 1862 universities, supporting community education, rural development, small farmers and agricultural businesses. The document notes that 1890 institutions were initially excluded from this funding.
1935 – Bankhead-Jones Act
Summary
Increased federal financial support for land-grant colleges and universities during the Great Depression.
Impact
Expanded federal investment in land-grant education, research and institutional operations during a period of national economic hardship.
1977 – National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act, or NARETPA
Summary
Provided the statutory basis for federal funding of agricultural extension programs and activities at 1890 land-grant institutions.
Impact
Gave 1890 institutions direct federal extension funding similar to the support that 1862 institutions received through the Smith-Lever Act.
1977 – Evans-Allen Act
Summary
Established capacity funding for food and agricultural research at 1890 land-grant universities, similar to the research funding 1862 institutions received under the Hatch Act.
Impact
Supported continuing agricultural research at 1890 institutions. Research funded through the program promotes agricultural production, marketing, distribution, farm-product use, public welfare and prosperous rural communities.
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