The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
WARNING: The following information reflects a degree requirement which expired as of Summer 2011. Please click the appropriate link under "Degree Programs" on the right side of this page to view the currently effective requirements for this program. If a link to this program does not appear, the program may no longer be available, or may be available under a different academic unit. You can find past requirements under the appropriate archived catalog.
Organic Agriculture Systems (120 Credits)
Significantly different than conventional agriculture, organic food production is one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture, with retail sales increasing by 20 percent annually since 1991. In many ways, Washington State has been a leader in this burgeoning new industry. This revolutionary new major is the first of its kind to be offered in the United States. Students in this major take a diverse array of courses in the natural, environmental, economic and social sciences, as well as a number of courses focused on organic production practices.
Students wanting a hands-on degree experience thrive in the organic major. WSU has over a four-acre certified organic teaching farm where students learn to produce certified organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers that they distribute through local food banks, on-campus food service, a 100-member CSA (community supported agriculture), and a local farmers’ market. Students have the opportunity to tailor their program of study to specific areas of emphasis, such as organic animal and dairy production, economics and marketing, crop production, food science, pest management, soil management, etc. in consultation with their advisor.
The Organic Agriculture Program at WSU prepares students to work on or develop their own organic farm. It also prepares students for employment opportunities with nonprofit organizations and government agencies involved in environmental and food safety, as well as private-sector food processing, marketing, organic certification, and product development industries.
Students wanting a hands-on degree experience thrive in the organic major. WSU has over a four-acre certified organic teaching farm where students learn to produce certified organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers that they distribute through local food banks, on-campus food service, a 100-member CSA (community supported agriculture), and a local farmers’ market. Students have the opportunity to tailor their program of study to specific areas of emphasis, such as organic animal and dairy production, economics and marketing, crop production, food science, pest management, soil management, etc. in consultation with their advisor.
The Organic Agriculture Program at WSU prepares students to work on or develop their own organic farm. It also prepares students for employment opportunities with nonprofit organizations and government agencies involved in environmental and food safety, as well as private-sector food processing, marketing, organic certification, and product development industries.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| A S 101 | 3 |
| AFS 101 | 3 |
| Chem 101 or 105 [P] (GER) | 4 |
| Engl 101 [W] (GER) | 3 |
| Hort 102 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Chem 102 [P] or 106 [P] (GER) | 4 |
| GenEd 110 [A] or 111 [A] (GER) | 3 |
| Hort 202 | 4 |
| SoilS 101 | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Biol 107 [B] or 120 [B] (GER) | 4 |
| ComSt 102 [C] or H D 205 [C] (GER) | 3 or 4 |
| GenEd 110 [A] or 111 [A] (GER) | 3 |
| Stat 212 [N] (GER) | 4 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| AFS 201 | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities [H,G] (GER)1 | 3 |
| Biol 106 [B] (GER) | 4 |
| EconS 101 [S] (GER) | 3 |
| SoilS 201 [B] (GER) | 3 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CropS 305, Entom 340, or Pl P 429 | 3 |
| CropS 360 [I] (GER) | 3 |
| FS 130 [B] (GER) | 3 |
| IPM 201 | 2 |
| SoilS 301 [M]2 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| AFS 445 | 3 |
| EconS 3523 | 3 |
| IPM 462 [M] | 3 |
| SoilS 498 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CropS 403 | 3 |
| CRS 336 [S] (GER) | 3 |
| NATRS 300 (AFS Core Systems Elective) | 3 |
| Tier III Course [T] (GER)1 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| AFS 401 | 3 |
| CropS 412 | 1 |
| SoilS 441 | 3 |
| SoilS 480 | 6 |
| Electives | 3 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Either the Arts & Humanities [H,G] course or the Tier III [T] course should be double-designated as a Diversity [D] (GER). |
| 2 | SOIL SCI 414 and 415 can be taken as an alternative to SOIL SCI 302 [M]. However another [M] course will be required. |
| 3 | ECONS 350, which is only offered in the fall, may be used as an alternative for ECONS 352. |
- Agricultural and Food Systems
Courses
- Agricultural And Food Systems
- Agricultural Education
- Agricultural Technology And Management
- General Agriculture
Schedules of Studies
- Agricultural and Food Business Economics
- Agricultural Education
- Agricultural Technology and Production Management
- Human Nutrition and Food Systems
- Organic and Sustainable Agriculture
Minors
- Agricultural Systems
- Agricultural Technology and Production Management
- Precision Agriculture
Certificates
- Organic Agriculture (Online and in Pullman)
- Sustainable Agriculture