Founded in 1908 as a public agricultural school committed to provide and foster development and continuous expansion of high education, in 1994 it turned into the Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA).

   The university consolidates itself as one of the most important institutions of higher education in Brazil. According to the 2015 General Index of Courses, provided by the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, UFLA is considered as one of the twelve universities in the country with maximum concept evaluation.  It is also positioned as the third best university in the state of Minas Gerais and as the tenth best in Brazil.

    The recent UI GreenMetric World University Ranking on Sustainability ranks UFLA as the most sustainable university in Brazil and the 26th worldwide. In 2016, UFLA was the second university in the world to achieve the designation of a Blue University provided the Council of Canadians due to its sustainable water governance and management.