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Sustainable Agriculture

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences


 

QUICK JUMP
  Sustainable Agriculture
  Requirements and Core Courses
  Careers in Sustainable Agriculture
  Salaries
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Related Fields of Study That May Interest You
  Contact Information

Sustainable Agriculture

Human existence is dependent on the evolution of sustainable agriculture systems. The Sustainable Agriculture option in Soil Science is for students interested in integrating concepts of biodiversity, cropping systems, farm management, soil quality, and agroecology.

• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of Science in Soil Science with an option of Sustainable Agriculture, minor in Soil Science
• Available at: Pullman

Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Science in Crop Science with an option in Sustainable Agriculture

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
     or Biol 120—Introduction to Botany
Chem 105—Principles of Chemistry I
Chem 106—Principles of Chemistry II
Phys 101—General Physics
     or Phys 201—Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Geol 102—Intro Geology
Stat 212—Intro to Statistical Methods
     or Stat 412—Biometry

OPTION REQUIREMENTS:
Ag Ec 340—Farm and Ranch Management
Biol 372—General Ecology
CropS 305—Principles Weed Science
SoilS 360—World Agricultural Systems
CropS 403—Advanced Cropping Systems
Pl P 429—General Plant Pathology
IPM 462—Systems in Integrated Crop Management
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.

Careers in Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is for students interested in integrating concepts of biodiversity, cropping systems, farm management, soil quality, and agroecology to develop sustainable agroecosystems.

Employment is available in government and commercial agencies such as Agricultural Research Extension, Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Ecology, and the 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 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.


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.

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.

Related Fields of Study That May Interest You

• Crop Science/Biotechnology
• Crop Science Business and Industry
• Cropping Systems
• Environmental Soil Science
• Precision Farming
• Soil Management
• Turf Management

Contact Information
Sustainable Agriculture Program
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
 

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 the Department of Agriculture.
  • Gain top-quality classroom, field, and laboratory experiences required for well-paying careers in industry, government, and farms.
  • You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us