Organic Agriculture Systems
- Organic Agriculture Study Options
- Requirements and Core Courses
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
- Contact Information
Organic Agriculture
The Organic Agriculture Systems major gives you a broad understanding of organic agriculture systems from production, economic, environmental, and community perspectives. Significantly different than conventional agriculture, organic food is one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture, with retail sales increasing by 20 percent annually since 1990.
The Organic Agriculture program at WSU prepares not only aspiring growers of organic food, but also students who are interested in related industries, such as direct marketing, global marketing, or food or environmental quality.
Offered at WSU: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Food Sciences, with a major in Organic Agriculture Systems
Available at: Pullman (M.S. in agriculture also available via distance delivery)
Note: Several graduate programs of study are available for Organic Agriculture. Contact Lynne Carpenter-Boggs at 1-509-335-1553 or lcboggs@wsu.edu
Study Options
Students who earn a bachelor of science in this major specialize in:
- Pest Management
- Horticulture
- Soil Science
- Crop Science
- Animal Science
- Agricultural & Resource Economics
- Agricultural Technology & Management
- Food Science & Human Nutrition
- Natural Resource Science
- Communicative Marketing
Focus area(s) are developed with your advisor, preferably early in your program.
Requirements and Core Courses
Major in Organic Agriculture Systems
Emphasis is placed on gaining specific skills in organic agriculture along with a solid background in the agricultural sciences, including how to work with the complexity of Agricultural and Food Systems. Together these will prepare you with knowledge specific to this fast-growing, dynamic field.
General Requirements
- Public Speaking (ComSt 102[C]) or Comm. in Human Relations (HD 205[C])
- World Civ. I & II (GenEd 110/111,[A])
- Introductory Writing (Engl 101, Com [W])
- World Agricultural Systems (CropS 360,[I])
- Intro. Psychology (Psych 105, [H,G,S,K])
- Biological Science (Biol 106, & Biol 107 or 120[B])
- Intro to Chemistry/Chemistry Related to Life Sciences (Chem 101/102) or Principles of Chemistry I & II (Chem 105/106)[P]
- Elementary Functions(Math 107) or Intro to Finite Math for Bus. & Econ. (Math 201)
- Intro to Statistical Methods (Stat 212 [N]), Math for Life Scientists (Math 140), Calculus I (Math 171), Intro to Math Analysis for Business and Econ. Majors (Math 202)
- Arts & Hum ([H]& [D])
- Capstone (Tier III, [T])
Total General Requirements: 47-48 credits
Agricultural & Food Systems Core Requirements
- Intro to Systems (AFS 101)
- Cultivated Plants (CropS/Hort 102)
- Animal Sciences (AS 101)
- Intro. Systems Development (AFS 201)
- Fund. of Microeconomics (EconS 101[S])
- Soil:A Living System (SoilS 201 [B])
- Gen. Ecology (Biol 372 [M]) or Natural Resource Ecology (NATRS 300 [B])
- Systems Development & Analysis (AFS 301)
- Ag., Environment, and Community (CRS 336[S])
- Seminar (discipline optional)
- Advanced Sys. Analysis & Design (AFS 401)
Total AFS Core Credits: 31-32
Organic Agriculture Core Requirements
- Organic Farming & Gardening (SoilS 101)
- Sustainable Ag. (SoilS 345), Small Acreage Farming Ranching Overview (SoilS 404), or Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Sys. (SoilS 445)
- Practicum in Organic Agriculture (SoilS 480)
- Ecology & Management of Weeds (CropS 305), Agricultural
- Entomology (Entom 340), or General Plant Pathology (PlP 429)
- Internship (discipline optional)
- Ag Electives (Must include [M] course(s) if not fulfilled above)
Total Organic Agriculture Systems Core Credits: 42
Total program credits: 120-122
NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog and meet with their advisor as early as possible for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences annually awards more than $250,000 to students. For more information or to apply for scholarships, see our Scholarships web page.
You may also be eligible for a variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored scholarships and financial aid. To find out more, visit the Costs & Financial Aid section of the WSU Web site.
Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
- Agricultural Business & Technology Systems
- Plant & Soil Systems
- Pest Management Systems
- Agricultural Education
Contact Information
Agricultural and Food Systems degree program
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6243
afs@wsu.edu
509-335-4562
Lead Faculty
Dr. John Reganold
reganold@wsu.edu
1-509-335-8856
Dr. Cathy Perillo
cperillo@wsu.edu
1-509-335-2851
Visit Department Web Page
Department of Agricultural and Food Systems
Watch a Video about this program
Department of Agricultural and Food Systems
Watch a youtube video featuring a student talking about her experience in the organic ag program at WSU.