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The College of Agriculture began as one of six divisions of the Washington Agricultural College, Experiment Station, and School of Science in 1892. The Division of Agriculture became the Department of Agriculture in 1894 when the departmental system was organized. In 1917, that departmental system was reformed into a system of schools and colleges, one of which was the College of Agriculture. Washington State University's Institute of Agricultural Sciences combined Agriculture, Extension, and other departments in 1946, but was dissolved into its component departments in 1965. In 1982, Agriculture and Home Economics merged to form CAHE (College of Agriculture and Home Economics). CAHE later became CAHNRS, but in keeping with archival practice, records are maintained using the name of the organization at time of the materials' donation.

Orville A. Vogel was born in Pilger, Nebraska on 19 May 1907. He received his BS and MS from University of Nebraska. In 1931 he came to the State College of Washington (later Washington State University) as a research agronomist with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. And in 1939, he received his Ph.D. from WSC. Vogel worked as a research agronomist with the USDA, until 1966, and was also a Division of Agronomy Associate Agronomist at WSU. In 1960 he became a Professor of Agronomy, Collaborator, USDA, a position he held until his retirement in 1973.

Orville Vogel led WSU/USDA research teams that developed high-yield and semi-dwarf wheats, including Gaines and Nugaines, that helped revolutionize the food-production industry. His honors include: Fellow and member of Sigma Xi; USDA Achievement Award in 1962; the National Medal of Science in 1975; and WSU's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1977.

Orville A. Vogel passed away in 1991.