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 2024. 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 and Sustainable Agriculture (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 and Sustainable 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 may be admitted to the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture major upon making their intentions known to the department.
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 and Sustainable 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 may be admitted to the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture major upon making their intentions known to the department.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| ANIM SCI 101 or FS 110 | 3 |
| CHEM 101 [PSCI] or 105 [PSCI] | 4 |
| ECONS 101 [SSCI] | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| HORT / CROP SCI 102 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| CHEM 102 or 106 | 4 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| HORT / CROP SCI 202 | 4 |
| SOIL SCI 101 | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| AFS 201 | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 106 [BSCI] or 120 [BSCI] | 4 |
| STAT 212 [QUAN] | 4 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| [COMM] Course (COM 102 [COMM] or H D 205 [COMM] recommended) | 3 or 4 |
| BIOLOGY 107 | 4 |
| ENTOM 351 | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 201 | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 3 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| AFS 336 | 3 |
| CROP SCI 305 | 3 |
| CROP SCI 360 | 3 |
| Horticulture Production Elective2 | 3 |
| PL P 429 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| AFS 445 | 3 |
| ECONS 3523 | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 302 [M] | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 478 | 2 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 3 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| AFS Core Systems Elective4 | 3 |
| CROP SCI 403 | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 443 [M] | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 479 | 2 |
| Electives | 5 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| AFS 401 [CAPS] | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 441 | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 480 | 2 |
| SOIL SCI 498 | 3 |
| Electives | 4 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Must complete 3 of these 4 UCORE designations: ARTS, DIVR, EQJS, HUM. |
| 2 | Horticulture Production Electives: CROP SCI 403, HORT 310, HORT 313, HORT 357 (spring), or as approved by advisor. |
| 3 | ECONS 350, which is only offered in the fall, may be used as an alternative for ECONS 352. |
| 4 | AFS Core Systems Electives: AGTM 310, ANIM SCI 464 [M], 472 [M], 474 [M], BIOLOGY 372 [M], CROP SCI 302, ECONS 351, HORT 320, SOE 300, SOIL SCI 368, or other systems courses approved by your advisor. Coursework must include a total of two [M] courses. |
- 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