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Precision Farming

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

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	Precision Farming
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Careers in Precision Farming
	Salaries
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Related Fields of Study That May Interest You
	Contact Information

Precision Farming

Precision farming has been called the greatest technological advancement in agriculture since the invention of the tractor. The precision farming option in soil science will teach students how to integrate knowledge of site-specific soil-plant processes, geo-positioning, geographical information systems, crop and soil mapping, and computerized farm machinery for improved resource use, protection of the environment, and optimization of farm productivity. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in soil science with an option of precision farming, minor in soil science • Available at: Pullman

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Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Science in Crop Science with an option in Precision Farming DEPARTMENTAL CORE REQUIREMENTS SoilS 201—Soil: Living System SoilS 412—Seminar (undergrad) SoilS 413—Soil Physics or SoilS 431—Soil Microbiology SoilS 421—Soil Chemistry      or SoilS 441—Soil Fertility SoilS 442—Soil Analysis Biol 103—Introductory Biology Biol 104—Introductory Biology II      or 120—Introduction to Botany Chem 105—Principles of Chemistry I Chem 106—Principles of Chemistry II Phys 101—General Physics      or 201—Physics for Scientists and Engineers Geol 102—Introductory Geology Stat 212—Introduction to Statistical Methods      or 412—Biometry OPTION REQUIREMENTS AgTM 305—Agricultural Machinery Systems AgTM 315—Irrigation Systems and Water Management Stat 428—Geostatistics      or AgEcon 340—Introduction to Farm and Ranch Mgmt Two of the following Crop Production courses:      CropS 305—Principles of Weed Management      CropS 302—Forage Crops      SoilS 462—Systems in Integrated Crop Management      ES/RP 486—Introduction to Geographic Information Systems      SoilS 374—Remote Sensing and Airphoto Interpretation Electives NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

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Careers in Precision Farming

Precision farming students will learn how to integrate knowledge of site-specific soil-plant processes, geo-positioning, geographical information systems, crop and soil mapping, and computerized farm machinery for improved resource use, protection of the environment, and optimization of farm productivity. Employment is available in government and commercial agencies (such as Agricultural Research Extension, Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Ecology, and Natural Resource Conservation Service) as well as in private consulting firms, commercial companies dealing with farm products, waste management, and research. Opportunities also exist for further study and employment in international development. Teaching, research, and extension careers are available in community colleges and universities for graduates with advanced degrees. Soil scientists are concerned with the physical, chemical, and biological processes that govern natural and agricultural ecosystems. The study of soil science stresses an understanding of these fundamental processes as they apply to crop production, soil development, and environmental quality. Some of the areas of active interest include identification and transfer of the best management practices for crop production, erosion control, and environmental protections; reclamation of contaminated soils; transport of pesticides through soils; bioremediation of hazardous wastes; soil-landscape development processes use of microbes to control weeds and plant diseases; surface chemistry of soil minerals; modeling of cropping systems; remote sensing of soils and vegetation; strategies in precision farming; and global change.

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Salaries

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary offers in 2005 for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences averaged $31,226 a year; and in other agricultural sciences, $33,850 a year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Standards reports that the median annual earnings of agricultural scientists and food scientists were $48,670 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,770 and $65,990. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,750, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $85,460. Washington state agricultural technician positions have a salary range between $26,600 and $42,900 in 2005. The average salary for federal employees in agronomy in 2003 was $68,846.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

Soil science students may be eligible for Department of Crop and Soil Science scholarships, as well as scholarships from the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. Students may also qualify for state, federal, and University-level financial assistance and scholarships. For more information contact the WSU Office of Scholarship Services.

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Related Fields of Study That May Interest You

• Crop science/biotechnology • Crop science business and industry • Cropping systems • Environmental soil Science • Soil management • Sustainable agriculture • Turf management

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Contact Information

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Washington State University 201 Johnson Hall PO Box 646420 Pullman, WA 99164-6420 Fax: 509-335-8674

hillary@cahnrs.wsu.edu

509-335-2615

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Strengths of the Program

• WSU provides the state’s only four-year program in crop and soil sciences.
• Learn skills that can help solve environmental and food problems or create enjoyable living conditions
• Study under faculty members who are among the field’s most productive and creative in the nation, several of whom are members of the National Academy of Science.
• Pursue direct research in such areas as organic crop production systems, plant breeding, biotechnology, groundwater contamination prevention, and turf and golf course management.
• Work with faculty who obtain research funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Agriculture.
• Gain top-quality classroom, field, and laboratory experiences required for well-paying careers in industry, government, and farms.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us