Major in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture

We know you care about food and how it is grown. We do, too. That’s why Washington State University in 2006 developed the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture major, a four-year degree program. At WSU, we teach you about innovative agricultural systems, like organic, regenerative, and agroforestry, that produce food in ecologically mindful ways, yet remain productive, profitable, and socially just.

Students thrive in the organic and sustainability major. The program provides students with hands-on experiences in the classroom, with fieldwork, and through internships at industry or government sites related to each student’s interest. Scholarships just for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture majors are available, too.

The major is offered on both the Pullman and Everett WSU campuses. WSU-Pullman has a 10-acre certified Eggert Family Farm, which is currently in the process of expanding to become a 30- acre interdisciplinary organic farming operation and community center. This farm is an invaluable tool where students learn to produce certified organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers that they distribute through on-campus food service, a local food coop, a regional food hub, and a weekly on-campus farm stand. For those students wanting to be on the westside of Washington State, check out the WSU Everett Organic and Sustainable Agriculture page. Additionally, for non-degree seeking students, we offer an 18-credit Certificate in Organic Agriculture either online or at any WSU campus.

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 health
  • Regenerative Agriculture
  • Agroecology
  • Social wellbeing

Jobs are available in private industry, government and public service agencies, small- and large-scale farming, and the non-profit sector, both nationally and internationally. Employment opportunities are multiple, including being an

  • Organic and Regenerative Farm Manager
  • Organic Certification Inspector
  • Sustainable Food Product Developer
  • Organic Crop & Seed Salesperson and Marketer
  • Organic Dairy Producer
  • Organic and Regenerative Food Production Consultant

The major also prepares students for graduate studies in soil science, horticulture, entomology, food science, economics, viticulture, and more.

Examples of Required/Preferred Classes for First-Year Students

  • AS 101: Introductory Animal Science
  • CropS/Hort 102: Cultivated Plants
  • CropS/Hort 202: Crop Growth & Development
  • Chem 101: Introduction to Chemistry
  • Chem 102: Chemistry Related to Life Sciences
  • EconS 101: Fundamentals of Microeconomics
  • SoilS 101: Organic Gardening and Farming

Transfer Pathways

Many of our best students attend local community colleges prior to transferring to WSU. Below is a list of suggested WSU courses to take locally and transfer into WSU. You can find your institution’s equivalent courses with our Transfer Course Search Tool or submit a course for evaluation with our Course Evaluation Request Form

  • BIOLOGY 106: Intro to Organismal Biology or 120: Introductory Botany (of these)
  • CHEM 101: Introduction to Chemistry or 105: Principles of Chem I
  • CHEM 102: Chemistry Related to Life Sciences or 106: Principles of Chem II
  • ANIM_SCI 101: Introduction to Animal Science or FS 110: Introduction to Food Science
  • ENGLISH 101: Introductory Writing
  • COM 102: Public Speaking in the Digital Age
  • ECONS 101: Fundamentals of Microeconomics
  • SOIL_SCI 201: Soil a Living System
  • WSU UCORE [HUM] course
  • WSU UCORE [DIVR] course
  • STAT 212: Introduction to Statistical Methods, MATH 140: Calculus for Life Scientists, MATH 171: Calculus I or MATH 202: Calculus for Business and Economics

Check out our Transfer Student page for more information about the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) Transfer Student Experience!

Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Advising Sheet (PDF)

Student Organizations/Clubs Associated with this Major

Information for New Students

This is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural and Food Systems with a major in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. It is offered on both the Pullman and Everett campus. It is managed by the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences.

Contact Information

Pullman

WSU Everett

For information about advising visit the CAHNRS Academic Advising page.

Hands-on Training

Eggert Family Organic Farm.

WSU Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Major

Watch this video to learn more about the WSU Organic & Sustainable Agriculture major and what it’s truly about!

Student Highlight

From a Student’s Perspective…

Katie Doonan

The Organic and Sustainable Agriculture major focuses on crop and animal production with sustainable practices and a focus on the environment.

Katie Doonan, CAHNRS Ambassador, Class of 2020

Organic Agriculture Certificate

Check out the Organic Agriculture Certificate program that can be done on our Pullman or Global Campus.

More Information

In The News