The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provides the kind of education intended under the Morrill Act of 1862, making it the center of the land-grant tradition at Virginia Tech.

[23] The college's Research division has identified six program areas as a focus for development and investment.

[25] Virginia Tech's research expenditures in the agricultural and life sciences have consistently ranked among the top in the nation.

In 2009, these expenditures exceeded $91.6 million and accounted for more than 23 percent of Virginia Tech's research spending.

[26] Through research and Extension efforts, the college helped elevate the state's agricultural exports to record numbers.