Why does a Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering exist at Cornell University and what was the vision of those who saw the need? This book explores the beginnings and growth of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY over its first 100 years, starting with excerpts from the historic legislation that made it possible, next relating the beginning of agricultural engineering and the important contributions that Cornell University had in pointing the way in this new field, and summarizing the department's first century of service through its teaching, research and Extension programs. Also included is a description of the struggle to obtain appropriate facilities, a look at the people who helped make the Department a national and world leader in the field, along with a benchmark of current activity as the department enters its second century. Illustrations remind the reader of "the good old days", as well as how time has brought about transformations to the present.