UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Crop and Soil Science

The central focus of crop and soil science is the production of food, fiber, and energy, as well as understanding the critical and diverse role of soils in agricultural production and in sustaining our environment. Students choose one of three options for their academic track:

  • Crop Science: the emphasis is on plants and their use to produce safe and affordable food for human consumption, feed for animals, and fiber and energy for everyday needs.
  • Soil Science: explores the diverse role of soils and provides knowledge for making economically and environmentally sustainable soil use and management decisions. 
  • Sustainable Agriculture: students learn about economically viable agricultural systems that promote land productivity, energy efficiency, environmental stewardship and rural community viability.

Why major in Crop and Soil Science?

  • You enjoy working with plants and soils in a predominately outdoor environment.
  • You like applying science to practical problems.
  • You enjoy working with farmers, growers, and other professionals locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • You want to play an integral role in environmental decisions related to soil conservation, crop production, land use, water quality, or waste management.
  • You want to contribute to the needs of present and future generations by providing healthy food while maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment.
  • You desire to experience an enjoyable and satisfying quality of life that comes from understanding the growth of plants and being a part of the process that provides the most basic of human needs—food.

sustainable ag option

Sustainable Agriculture Option

In addition to options in crops or soils, sustainable agriculture is also an option for students to specialize their major. In this option, students will learn to:

  • produce food within the framework of sustainable agriculture systems
  • market sustainable agricultural products in local, national and international areas, and
  • promote land stewardship and rural community development.

An example of the courses you may take in this option include:

  • sustainable agriculture
  • organic production systems
  • world food and population
  • sociology of rural life
  • integrated pest management

For more information, contact Veronica Justen at veronica.justen@uwrf.edu.

Contact Us

Plant and Earth Science
pes@uwrf.edu
715-425-3345
324 Agricultural Science
611 S. 3rd St.
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