Agriculture

Agriculture is the science, art, and practice of raising domesticated plants and livestock for food, fiber, fuel, and raw materials. Demand for essential agricultural products is growing, and the global expansion and intensification of farming systems is putting tremendous pressure on ecosystems and natural resources needed to sustain productivity. Working under the strain of climate change, agriculture must embrace sustainable and regenerative practices to protect water, soil, biodiversity, and the wisdom of farmers to steward our global garden into the future.

Grounded in agroecology science and sustainability, agriculture programs teach:

  • Hands-on organic farming
  • Agriculture sciences such as crop, livestock, soils, entomology, and pathology
  • History and evolution of farming systems and production practices across climates and cultures
  • Ecology of grazing and grasslands
  • Anthrozoology
  • Agroforestry
  • Policy and social dimensions of agriculture
  • Farm enterprise development, business planning, and product marketing

Agricultural education puts theory to practice. From creating farm and business plans to making production and marketing decisions on our campus organic farm, you can collaborate in fieldwork, labs, seminars, and classrooms to solve challenges and create valuable knowledge and skills.

Field trips and internships connect students with farmers while capstones support experimentation, adventure, and community engagement. Because we emphasize rigorous theory, hands-on experience, and collaborative problem solving, graduates emerge as leaders in scientific research, regenerative farming practices, sustainable entrepreneurship, agriculture education, and farming policy.

Related Paths

Faculty Associated With This Field
Title Expertise
Lal, Prita Food justice, social movements, race/gender/class inequality, Black studies
Muehleisen, David Sustainable agriculture, entomology
Nivala, Melissa Mathematics
Paros, Michael Veterinary medicine
Rosemeyer, Martha Agricultural ecology, food systems
Scheuerell, Steven Ecology, botany, plant pathology
Williams, Sarah Feminist Theory, Cultural Studies
Selected Programs 2023-24
Title Class Standing Credits
Agroecology Science and Practice: Market Farming and Community Gardening (Fall)
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Ecological Agriculture: Advanced Agroecology and Soil Science
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Ecology of Grazing and Grasslands in the Pacific Northwest
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Environmental Applications of Fungi
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Food and Agriculture Projects with S. Scheuerell
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Food and Agriculture Projects with Sarah Williams
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Fungi for Human Health and the Environment
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Land-Based Learning: Foodways
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Medicinal Fungi
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
The Science of Animal Husbandry and Food Animal Systems
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16