Founded in 1908 under the motto of Gammon Institute ("Dedicated to the glory of God and Human Progress"), the Agricultural School of Lavras came to be called the School of Agriculture of Lavras (ESAL) in 1938. The federalization occurred in 1963. It was in 1994 that the institution became a university, now known as the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). This trend began with the realization of the ideals of its founder, Dr. Samuel Rhea Gammon, and its first director, Dr. Benjamin Harris Hunnicutt. In this century of existence, UFLA has established itself as a pioneer in the extension - promoted the First National Corn Exposition and the First Agricultural Exhibition of Minas Gerais introduced the first air silo for grain storage in the state and also one of the first tractors to plow the Brazilian lands. The extraordinary generation of scientific and technological knowledge, published the first magazine of Minas Gerais, directed to farmers. Was present on the national scene for the quality of education of its students, which, most due to the existence of the institution, have made, over the years, important actors of the recognized excellence of the University.