Program Overview

Introduction to the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Program

The Organic and Sustainable Agriculture program at Washington State University is designed to provide students with the knowledge and experience necessary to become professionals in organic and sustainable crop production. This program emphasizes an understanding of plant and environmental sciences, as well as integrated pest management, marketing, and food science.

Program Description

Organic and sustainable food production systems integrate cultural and biological practices to promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. The growth of organic food production and marketing has created a need to train students to provide expertise, research, product development, and other services for farmers and the food industry.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture program will be prepared for careers in:

• Crop Consulting
• Pest Management
• Soil Management
• Organic Certification
• Farm Policy & Stewardship
• Food Science
• Economics & Marketing
• Organic Product Purchaser
• Organic Rancher (this focus requires additional coursework)

Program Structure

The program is offered at WSU Everett, a transfer institution providing upper division courses to complete a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. Students can fulfill the majority of WSU’s general education (UCORE) and the pre-program acceptance requirements at any college (2 year or 4 year), then complete their Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Food Systems at WSU Everett.

Course Requirements

The program requires:

• UCORE General Education Requirements
• CHEM 101 & 102 or CHEM 105 & 106
• BIO 106 & 107
• STAT 212

Highlighted Courses

Select courses are taught by research faculty from the WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, located just 35 minutes north of WSU Everett. Some of the highlighted courses include:

• Soil: A Living System (SOIL_SCI 201)
• Organic and Sustainable Agricultural Certifications: From Principles to Practice (SOIL_SCI 303)
• Practicum (SOIL_SCI 480)
• Pomology (HORT 310)
• Ecological and Integrated Pest Management (ENTOM 351)
• Soil Health and Regenerative Food Systems (AFS 418)
• Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems (AFS 445/545)
• Biology and Control of Plant Diseases (PL_P 501)

Faculty

The program features a diverse range of faculty members, including:

• Gabriel LaHue, Associate Professor of Soil Science
• Lisa Wasko DeVetter, Professor, Small Fruit Horticulture
• Louis Nottingham, Assistant Professor (Compressed)
• Deirdre Griffin LaHue, Associate Professor, Soil Health & Sustainable Soil Management
• Chakradhar Mattupalli, Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology

Research Areas

The program focuses on various research areas, including:

• Berry and Potato Pathology
• Entomology
• Hard Cider
• Small Fruit Horticulture
• Soil Health
• Soils and Water
• Vegetable Horticulture
• Vegetable Seed Pathology
• WSU Breadlab
• Affiliated Programs, such as AgWeatherNet and USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit

Conclusion

The Organic and Sustainable Agriculture program at Washington State University provides students with a comprehensive education in organic and sustainable crop production, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities in the field. With its strong focus on research and hands-on experience, this program is ideal for students who are passionate about sustainable agriculture and want to make a positive impact on the environment.